By Lauryne Akoth
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Director General of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Fazul Mahamad, directed all private security companies to cease the unlawful retention of security guard’s credentials and submit them within 48 hours.
“ALL private security companies are hereby directed to within the next 48 hours to stop unlawful retention and hand over all national IDs, academic certificates, and other essential personal documents belonging to private security officers (security guards).” Read the statement in part.
He observed that the action was intended to tackle and correct the unauthorized withholding of personal documents owned by Private Security Officers by security companies.
“The Authority is in receipt of numerous complaints from private security officers (security guards) alleging that private security companies are unlawfully and illegally withholding their National IDs, academic certificates, and other essential personal documents,”
“This is in violation of the law, terms and conditions attached to the certificate of registration, and the code of conduct for private security service providers.” Read the statement.
Mahamed cautioned that PSRA will take legal action against private security companies that will fail to comply with the given directive, including the revocation of their operating licenses.
He urged security guards whose National IDs, academic certificates, or any other personal documents are being unlawfully withheld by any private security companies to report via complaints@psra.go.ke and on their WhatsApp number: +254 799 429 001 which is available on a 24-hour basis.
The Director General of PSRA had previously mandated all personnel within the private security sector, encompassing guards, bouncers, consultants, close protection officers, and others, to undergo training at authorized institutions to obtain a security ID known as the Guard Force Number (GFN).
Private Security Companies had perceived ulterior motives in the directive, contending that Mahamed has persistently made significant decisions concerning the National Private Security Industry without involving stakeholders.