The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) on Thursday directed all universities, TVETs, colleges and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTCs) to ensure that their guards are trained within one month.
In a statement, the authority's CEO and Director General Fazul Mahamed emphasised that all educational facilities that will be found culpable of having untrained employees risk a Ksh2 million fine.
Mahamed who held a meeting with officials from the education sector noted that the new directive was aimed at guaranteeing the well-being of students in institutions of learning.
"Further, you are hereby required to within 1 Month undergo training in security matters in an institution accredited by the Authority as a prerequisite requirement for registration and licensing. Upon successful completion of the training, the Authority will issue Guard Force Numbers (GFN) to registered and licensed security officers," Mahamed announced.
He emphasised that this was the government's plan to address the widening security gap and emerging insecurity in universities and institutions of higher learning.
All licensed and trained security guards were asked to wear their GFN badges bearing their names and license numbers at all times while on duty.
Another measure universities were asked to take include; risk assessment encompassing identifying potential security threats, vulnerabilities and existing security gaps.
Additionally, the institutions were directed to install access control systems, CCTV, surveillance cameras, perimeter fencing and lighting.
Mahamed further asked these institutions to develop emergency response plans which outline protocols for scenarios such as natural disasters, student unrest, medical emergencies and active shooter incidents.
The CEO remarked that implementing these measures was key to addressing the recent incidents of student deaths and injuries in institutions of higher learning.
"Our universities and institutions of higher learning play a major role in national development and their security is of utmost importance to the nation," he added.
