New regulations published by the Interior Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’I, on 12th July 2019 will see private guards with fresh powers to carry guns and make arrests.
The new rules are in line with the Private Security Regulation Act 2016 and have also led to the creation of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) headed by Fazul Mohamed.
The guards will take on more responsibility, previously supposed to be under police officers such as manning elections and suppressing riots.
Fresh Benefits and Powers
The guards will only be different from the police officers in their lack of sufficient training but will enjoy benefits previously associated with a chosen few such as ambulances, firefighters and police officers. Some of the benefits include:
- Driving in armored vehicles
- Access to rapid response vehicles especially during Cash in Transit (CIT)
- Permission to blare sirens and flash warning lights on highways
- New set of fresh uniform
- Registration with PSRA
Guards will now be under the guidance of the Inspector General of Police (IG), who currently is Hillary Mutyambai.
PSRA to Set a Standard Curriculum and Assessment Standards for the Guards
According to CS Matiang’i, the PSRA shall prescribe a standard curriculum and assessment standard for private security training which will be taken at every training institute.
PSRA shall provide enforce supervisory powers over the training of the security personnel and assessing persons to be employed in the private security industry.
PSRA will set standards, create an enforcing mechanism, improve personnel welfare and offer redress from unscrupulous players according to the CS.
Governing of PSRA
PSRA is the authority that will be responsible for enforcing supervisory powers and improving personnel welfare among other duties that are to literally ensure the success of the guard’s duties.
PSRA is currently headed by Fazul Mohamed and according to the CS; Fazul shall be guided by a board headed by a chairperson appointed by the President.