Gov’t issues warning over use of bouncers, private event security personnel

The government has cautioned event organisers and entertainment joints over the use of private security companies as the Christmas and New Year festivities kick off.

Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) acting CEO Philip Okello in a Monday statement directed all event organisers, promoters, planners, entertainment venues, and recreational and sporting establishments to ensure the private security companies in their service are compliant with the law.

This includes bouncers, event stewards, crowd control security personnel, and other event security personnel hired, employed or contracted to provide security during the festive season.

PSRA urged event organisers to ensure private security companies and security personnel hired have a five-year certificate of registration from the authority.

They are additionally required to have event security preparedness certification from the PSRA, which Okello termed the “only proof that a specific event, festival, concert, entertainment venue, recreational and sporting establishment has undergone security assessment and meets the necessary event security and emergency preparedness requirements.”

“No person shall engage in the provision of private security services or offer private security services in Kenya at a fee unless that person has been security vetted, registered and licensed by the Private Security Regulatory Authority in accordance with the Act,” Okello said, referring to the Private Security Regulation Act.

He reiterated that anyone who hires, employs or engages private security officers who are not registered and licensed commits an offence punishable by fine and imprisonment.

“Ensure immediate and strict compliance with the law to avoid incurring individual and corporate criminal culpability and sanctions for non-compliance with the law,” added Okello.