Kenyan Security Guards to Carry Guns, Make Arrests Under New Gov’t Regulations

The government has adopted new regulations that will see Kenyan private security guards carry firearms and make arrests.

The regulations were gazetted on Friday by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, according to The Standard.

Under the new guidelines, security guards have been empowered to take roles previously performed by police officers including quelling riots and providing security during elections.

They will also be allowed to ride in armored and rapid response vehicles as well as blare sirens and flashing warning lights on highways.

The publication said that the private guards will enjoy these privileges under the guidance of the Inspector General of Police (IG).

The new regulations state that all private security companies must be freshly registered with the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) headed by Fazul Mohamed, within the first six months.

The authority will ensure all security guards comply with the new set of rules.

To be identified easily, private security companies will be required to issue guards with uniforms that bear a clear and bold label “Private Security” and a company patch.

The new regulations allow security guards to make arrests and hand over the suspects to the nearest police station. They must use non-violent means to arrest suspects.

“A private security service provider shall as far as is reasonably possible, use non-violent means in arresting any suspected offender and may only employ force when non-violent measures have failed to prevent escape.”

“The force used shall be proportional to the objective sought to be achieved, the seriousness of the offense and the resistance of the person against whom it is used, ” the regulations read in part.

The government said the move is meant to serve the purpose of maintaining law and order, preventing or mitigating national disasters, incident planning, sharing security information and sharing expertise and training.