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PSRA proposes amendment of law to arm security guards in high-risk situations

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Fazul Mahamed, the director-general of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) during the mass registration of private security personnel at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on March 30, 2024. (Photo: PSRA)

By Terry Muriuki | Tuesday, June 18, 2024

The PSRA wants private guards armed in shopping malls, in public spaces characterised by high human traffic, and when handling maritime security, cash in transit, government institutions, critical infrastructure, and institutions with elevated vulnerabilities and security risks.

The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has proposed amendments to the Private Security Regulation Act No.13 of 2016 to allow guards to carry firearms under six high-risk circumstances.

The PSRA wants private guards armed in shopping malls, in public spaces characterised by high human traffic, and when handling maritime security, cash in transit, government institutions, critical infrastructure, and institutions with elevated vulnerabilities and security risks.

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In a post on social media platform X on Tuesday, the PSRA noted that "in their daily roles and routine performance of their duties, private security personnel (security guards) form the initial barrier and frontline defence against criminal threats, including acts of terrorism, robbery and armed aggression."

"However, the absence of defensive capabilities and security equipment significantly compromises their ability to protect themselves and the public effectively. This limitation not only endangers the safety of these security guards but also impedes their capacity to execute their responsibility of protecting lives and property."

In their daily roles and routine performance of their duties, private security personnel (security guards) form the initial barrier and frontline defence against criminal threats, including acts of terrorism, robbery and armed aggression. However, the absence of defensive… pic.twitter.com/CGLKJBbdBC
— Private Security Regulatory Authority (@PSRAuthority) June 18, 2024

The authority cited recent killings of guards on duty during attacks by armed criminals.

The PSRA, headed by Fazul Mahamed, said that its proposals were part of a security reform agenda aimed at empowering and sufficiently equipping private guards.

"The primary intent of these amendments is to equip private security officers with knowledge, skills, tools, equipment and capacity to detect, deter and effectively respond to security threats within their area of jurisdiction," the statement said.

It described the Private Security Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, as a strategic initiative to amend Section 53 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016.

"Once this legislative proposal is approved, the law will authorise the controlled issuance, ownership, and operational use of firearms by private security officers (security guards) assigned to high-risk tasks and critical infrastructure."

"This measure will be implemented under stringent regulatory supervision, ensuring adherence to established safety protocols for handling firearms and related operational use of firearms."

The proposals are in line with the authority's engagement and partnership with the National Assembly to push for reforms in the sector.

Among the key changes is a minimum wage of Sh30,000, over which it warned non-compliant companies about deregistration.

The PSRA is seeking to empower at least 1.3 million people working in the private security sector in the country and has so far issued them the Guard Force Number to boost coordination and oversight.

The authority believes that a comprehensive, whole-of-nation approach is crucial to shaping the future of the private security industry, improving professionalism and the welfare of private security personnel.