Private security firms have appealed to the government to facilitate training of guards in line with the new policy to ease financial burden on them.

Firms are also seeking more time to comply with the Private Security Regulatory Authority requirements whose cost is said to be prohibitive.

New regulation requires that all private guards be trained and issued with force, which the firms say is costly.

According to Pelt Security Company chief executive Isaiah Kirima, private security firms are among the biggest employers in the country and there is need for government to bail them out in the training.
Kirima spoke during a passing out parade for more than 200 security officers who underwent a six-week training at Kenyatta University.

They are part of the company’s 600 guards so far trained out of more than 3,000.

“We welcome the new policy which aims to make our security guards more efficient and effective in their duties, but due to the high cost implications we request that the government chips in by giving us access to training institutions,” said Kirima.

He added that the regulation comes at a time when there is shrinking business occasioned by prevailing economic hardships, hence the need for the government to cushion the employers.

“The training is worth it, but it is also a very expensive undertaking and that is why we are asking the state to cushion us in the training as the sector plays a crucial role in creating employment, “ said the CEO.
Regarding the proposal to allow private guards to carry firearms, he said the security firms are still waiting for the process to be finalised by the relevant state authorities.

Kirima also said many of the security companies are ready to comply with a proposal to pay their guards a minimum of Sh30,000 as soon as the new guidelines are issued.

Peter Maina, chief executive, Modern Approach Security Training Academy who conducted the six-week training said the new law requires that all security guards must have force numbers by law and compliance is a must.