The government has started regulating all private security contractors, including bouncers, bodyguards, event stewards, and crowd control security personnel, to undergo background checks, training, and licensing to provide nationwide security.
No one shall be permitted to provide private security services unless they have been security vetted, registered, and licensed, according to a notice published on January 8, 2024 by CEO Fazul Mahamed of the Private Security Regulatory Authority.
“In view of the foregoing, the Government has commenced the mandatory nationwide security vetting, training and licensing of all bouncers, bodyguards, event stewards, door supervisors, event security, VIP protection, close protection, and crowd control security personnel,” said Mahamed.
He added: “In this regard, the Authority has organized a sensitization forum at the Sarova Stanley Hotel on Wednesday, 17th January 2024 at 8:30 A.M. The forum is free of charge, however for ease of planning you are required to confirm your attendance through our email.”
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This action is in response to an incident that happened at Kettle House Bar and Grill in Lavington, Nairobi, where journalists and National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) officers were attacked during a raid.
NACADA carried out the sting operation to reduce shisha smoking at the well-liked entertainment venue.
According to a police report that details the incident, bouncers and partygoers used physical force to keep journalists, police, and NACADA representatives from monitoring the operation.
Since then, at least 21 suspects have been taken into custody about the incident.
