Uhuru’s New Directive on Watchmen Carrying Guns

On Tuesday, State House Spokesperson, Kanze Dena, disclosed that President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed guards to be trained on how to use firearms. 

She was speaking at a press conference where she revealed that the president had Kenyans' security at heart.

Private guards will be trained, under the guidance of the Ministry of Interior, led by CS Fred Matiang’i, on how to handle firearms. They will also be taught on protective measures," she divulged. 

Kanze's statement was in a bid to address concerns, over how guards would handle the weapons, after CS Matiang’i empowered them to carry guns and arrest criminals.

On Friday, Matiang’i issued a gazette notice, which will allow guards to perform jobs, that were a preserve of police officers, such as quelling riots and getting involved in security work during elections.

The rules further stipulate that a guard may arrest a person, who is suspected to have committed an offence, and hand over the suspect to the nearest police station or post.

The move to also allow the guards to operate rapid response vehicles is in line with the government’s intention to remove police officers from Cash In Transit (CIT) work.

Be ready to arm your guards because we will withdraw officers from some of these jobs like CIT.

“You will be in charge of the guns issued to you and any case of misuse will be punished,” Matiang’i explained in a statement issued in April.

The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) will ensure that private guards undergo fresh training and wear uniforms that don't in any way, resemble state security personnel.

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