Govt Deregisters 9 Security Companies as Turf Wars Between 2 CSs Rage

Several security guards during a training session
Several security guards during a training session
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Fazul Mahamed, the CEO of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has deregistered nine security companies with immediate effect.

Mahamed revealed that the said companies failed to comply with minimum regulations as directed last week. The CEO had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the companies asking them to pay security guards Ksh30,000.

In a statement, Mahamed explained that the companies had violated the law. Their certificates of registration and licenses were cancelled.

The companies affected are Victory Protective Services Africa Limited, Victory Consultants Limited, Bedrock Security Services Limited, Bedrock Security Alarms Systems and Product Limited.

A collage of cabinet secretaries Florence Bore, Labour (left) and Kithure Kindiki, Interior (right)
A collage of cabinet secretaries Florence Bore, Labour (left) and Kithure Kindiki, Interior (right)
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Florence Bore/Ministry of Interior

Others are Senace East Africa Limited, Hipora Security Solutions Limited, Salam Fikira International (Kenya) Limited, Macro Security Limited and Superb Marketing Solutions Limited.

"The purpose of this legal notice is to bring this information to the attention of users, prospective users or representatives of users of security services and further advise that they must not procure, hire or otherwise engage security services from the above listed non-compliant private security companies," read part of the statement.

This deregistration comes in the wake of a wrangle between Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore and her Interior counterpart Kithure Kindiki. Bore last week, disagreed with Kindiki's plan to increase the minimum wage.

The government agency further pointed out that the security firms in question breached the provisions of the Private Security Regulations Act 13 of 2016 which mandates the private security industry, to provide a framework for cooperation with National Security Organs.

PSRA further pointed out that the companies also violated the terms and conditions attached to their certificates of registration as corporate private security service providers.

The government agency also stated that the companies also hired security guards who do not have a Guard Force Number as proof of registration to the authority.

Any person found seeking service from the deregistered companies risks imprisonment and a fine and a Ksh2 million fine for a corporation.

Besides the announced deregistration, the Fazul Mahamed-led body announced that there will be a continued review of all registered companies to ensure they comply with regulations.

Also, Mahamed informed the public that a list of deregistered companies shall be updated regularly.

 Fazul Mahamed, the CEO of the Private Security Regulatory Authority appearing before a Parliamentary committee on January 30, 2024
Fazul Mahamed, the CEO of the Private Security Regulatory Authority appearing before a Parliamentary committee on January 30, 2024
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Ministry of Interior