A Gazette notice by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination stipulates that security guards will have powers to arrest wrongdoers and hand them over to the nearest police station.
In a move that seeks to strengthen law and order in the country, the guards will also be allowed to carry guns during their operations.
“A private security service shall as far as is reasonably possible, use non-violent means in arresting any suspected offender and may only employ force when nonviolent measures have failed to prevent escape,” read the regulations.
Under the guidance of the Inspector General of police, the private guards will also undertake formal police jobs such as quelling riots and getting involved in security work during elections.
Before effecting the regulation, private firms will have to register afresh with the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA).
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Having the ability to pay the minimum wage will be a prerequisite for qualification for registration.
The guards will, after that, be vetted and will be enrolled in a six months training.
The private security officials will not, however, wear military regalia.
This measure comes at the backdrop of terrorist attacks grappling the country.
With the private security guarding the majority of the premises armed only with a rungu, the move will ostensibly tame or reduce the runaway cases of insecurity.
It, however, remains to be seen how Kenyans will cope with the new changes once effected, given that maintenance of law and order have long been a preserve of men and women in military regal.
