PSRA statement on hiring unregistered private security officers

Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) CEO Fazul Mohamed on Monday 12 February 2024 issued a statement warning private and government corporations from employing private security officers who are not registered and do not have Guard Force Numbers (GFN) as outlined in the private security regulation act, 2016. Below is the notice in reference, to a Kenya Railways Tender ; 

We have noted that the Kenya Railways Corporation intends to procure private security services; however, we have observed that you have not included legal and regulatory compliance certifications as a prerequisite requirement as is required by Kenyan statutes.

Section 21 and 28 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016 require that no person shall engage in the provision of private security services or offer private security services in Kenya at a fee unless that person has been security vetted and registered by the Private Security Regulatory Authority in accordance with the Act.

SECTION 69 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016, thus states, a person who:

1. hires, employs or otherwise engages the services of any unlicensed private security firm; 

2. hires, employs or otherwise engages private security officers (security guards) who are not registered and licensed;

COMMITS AN OFFENCE and shall be liable to both such fine and imprisonment.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: It would be an offence for Kenya Railways Corporation to procure services of any Private Security Company that does not satisfy the requirements of Kenyan laws specifically the provisions of Sections 21, 23, 28, 29 & 31 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016.

The Guard Force Number (GFN) is the ONLY proof that an individual Private Security Officer (security guard) has been duly registered and licensed by the Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Act;

In view of the foregoing and in compliance with the provisions of the law, the Authority hereby advises Kenya Railways Corporation to only procure private security services from private security firms that satisfy the requirements of the law and are in possession of:

1) The 5-year Certificate of Registration from Private Security Regulatory Authority.

2) Guard Force Numbers (GFNs) issued by the Authority for their Private Security Officers (Security Guards).

The Alist of over 700 Private Security Companies that have been security vetted, duly registered and licensed in accordance with the law is available on https://www.psra.go.ke/ website.