The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PRSA) has cautioned the Kenya Railways Corporation regarding a tender for the provision of security services.
These services will be provided along the Metre-Gauge Railway line (MGR), Railway Training Institute (RTI) campus and its headquarters.
In a statement, the authority highlighted oversight in the tendering process that could be in breach of the law.
PRSA raised concerns over the absence of legal and regulatory compliance certifications as mandatory requirements in the tender specifications.
Established under Section 7 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016, the authority is entrusted with regulating the private security industry in line with the constitution and relevant legislation.
According to sections 21 and 28 of the Act No.13 of 2016, engaging in private security services without proper vetting and registration by PRSA is prohibited.
Penalties for Engaging Unregistered Security Firms
Additionally, Section 69 of the same Act outlines penalties for contravention, including fines and imprisonment, for those who hire unlicensed private security firms or engage unregistered private security officers.
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PRSA CEO Fazul Mohamed emphasized that it’s an offence to offer services to unregistered private firms that do not abide by the law.
“It would be an offense for Kenya Railways Corporation to procure services from private security companies that do not meet the requirements of Kenyan laws, specifically the provision of Sections 21, 23, 28, 29, and 31 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016,” said Mahamed.
Further, Fazul highlighted the Guard Force Number (GFN) as the sole proof of an individual private security officer’s registration and licensing by PRSA.
“The Guard Force Number is the only proof that an individual security guard has been duly registered and licensed by the authority,” he stated.
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PRSA Contact Details
To ensure compliance, the authority advised Kenya Railways Corporation to only engage private security firms possessing the necessary 5-year Certificate of Registration and GFNs issued for their security guards.
Fazul further promised to offer assistance through KRC’s Head of Legal, Mr. Elvis Okal, via email [email protected].
He has asked the corporation to visit PSRA’s official website psra.go.ke to access a list of over 700 private security companies which have been vetted, registered and licensed as required by the law.
The authority had earlier directed all private security firms to pay their employees the minimum wage of Ksh30,000 monthly. However, the court slammed brakes on the order.
Subsequently, PSRA in February announced mandatory inspection of entertainment joints to ensure that security guards at these establishments are fully registered.
