Sensitize guards to enhance security, body urges

Protective and Safety Association of Kenya (PROSAK) chairperson Enock Makanga.

The Protective and Safety Association of Kenya (PROSAK) has called on companies and organizations to sensitize the guards in order to provide good security.

Chairperson Enock Makanga, PROSAK chairperson said that companies always opt to cut the cost of payment by hiring guards who are not well qualified.

He said companies tend not to hire well-trained guards for fear of higher pay demands.

"We are happy that we are sensitising our people and security company owners so that they can pass the information to their employees on emergency preparedness in countering terrorism in public spaces," he said.

He spoke at a workshop on countering terrorism in public spaces and emergency preparedness held in Nairobi.

Makanga said that the PROSAK movement was started to enlighten the public on the protection of human life and property protection.

Alvince Osura, head of state recommendation in the anti-terrorism unit urged the public to take personal responsibility for security provisions highlighting that the security personnel cannot be there to take care of everyone.

He said that premises like hotels, and malls among other business buildings should be keen when hiring guards.

Osura said that a good guard possesses qualities like being observant, critical in solving problems and good communication skills among other skills.

"Terrorists always know that Kenyans take long before responding to an emergency and that is why they beat us. We should be fast in tackling some issues to avoid escalation of certain issues," he said.

John Spencer from the British High Commission in Nairobi asked the public to always be prepared for their survival and that of their businesses in case of an attack.

He said that terrorists tend to target crowded spaces and that security in such places should be taken seriously.

"It is our personal and legal responsibilities to protect ourselves from the security issues, installation of simple gargets like CCTVs in our premises will be of great importance," he said.