Tough conditions set for G4S cash escort service

By Cyrus Ombati and Victor Mukele

The Government wants security workers at G4S vetted afresh before it can redeploy armed police to the firm’s cash-in-transit services.

Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia said the group must also install tracking services on cars involved in the service.

At the same time, the group must give tracking tips to all personnel in the service to ensure operations are under surveillance at all times.

"We understand there are many employed in this service, but the conditions must be met to ensure theft is controlled," said Mr Kimemia.

Kimemia added the decision to withdraw police from the group was reached at a meeting on Tuesday.

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He said the decision has been relayed to the company. The meeting, held at the Kenya Bankers Association offices, was attended by representatives from AP, regular police and the Central Bank.

Banks were advised not to allow the company vehicles to carry their cash without armed police.

The development came days after G4S workers made away with millions of shillings belonging to four banks in Mombasa.

The company has so far offered a Sh15 million bounty to anyone who may help trace the whereabouts of the suspects believed to have escaped to a neighbouring country.

Sources from Bank of Baroda, Standard Charted and Barclays banks indicated about Sh300 million was stolen in the incident.

Meanwhile, APs in Nakuru are yet to heed a Government directive not to escort G4S cash-in transit vehicles.

It was business as usual as armed officers were assigned duty to escort the vehicles.

Sources told The Standard yesterday the Provincial Administration was yet to receive written communication from the Internal Security ministry on the directive.

"There is still no official communication. We can not act on the strength of press reports," said an officer.

G4S has been dogged with a series of thefts connected to its employees.