Release guards’ IDs, security firms told

Private security companies have been ordered to return the original national identity cards and professional and academic certificates belonging to private security officers.

The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Director General Fazul Mahammed (pictured) yesterday termed the practice of holding such documents as an illegality, and warned that it could lead to revocation of the firms’ licences.

The DG said they were in receipt of numerous complaints from private security officers alleging that private security companies are unlawfully and illegally withholding their national IDs and other crucial 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,” he said.

He added: “All private security companies are hereby directed to immediately cease and desist from the aforementioned illegality and to within the next 48 hours hand over all National IDs, academic certificates, and other essential personal documents to private security officers.”

Code of conduct

He further warned that Section 32 and 55 of the Private Security Regulation Act mandates the Authority to take action, including but not limited to cancellation of licence, of a private security service provider on the grounds of misconduct, unprofessionalism, breach of the Act or the code of conduct.

All private security officers whose documents are being withheld by any private security company have also been advised to report to the PSRA.

“The authority will ensure this illegality is put to a stop. This measure is being enforced to address and rectify the unlawful retention of personal documents belonging to private security officers,” he said.

Mahammed also said the authority was committed to ensuring that the rights of private security officers are upheld and that any form of exploitation is eradicated.

Bold step

During recruitment, some security firms demand that guards surrender original documents.

The Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU) Organising Secretary, Joash Soita, yesterday said the practice is meant to prevent guards from seeking employment elsewhere.

“This is a bold step. We have for several years been raising this matter to no avail. We have even reported the firms involved to the Ministry of Labour but no action has been taken against them,” he said.

The PSRA has, in a bid to professionalize the industry, come up with a raft of measures including setting the basic minimum monthly wages for all private security guards operating in Kenya.

The minimum pay will be Sh18,994 with a house allowance of Sh2,849.11 and overtime allowance of Sh 8,156.81, totalling to Sh30,000.

The PSRA has also commenced nationwide registration, licensing, and issuance of Guard Force Numbers to guards.