Lobby wants MPs to okay regulations in private security

DMTU president Bishop Daniel Dela presents the Honorary degree to (KNPSWU) Secretary General Isaac Andabwa in Athi River's Beeri Restoration Church, Machakos County on October 28, 2023. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Private security workers have urged Parliament to pass regulations touching on the private securities' reform agenda.

Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU) Secretary General Isaac Andabwa, said this will help eliminate the setbacks hindering the growth of the sector.

"The challenge we have had is setbacks, and considering the guidelines we earlier had, none of them was passed by Parliament," he said.

"My office, with support from members of the union, is capable of delivering the reform agenda in the private security sector."

Andabwa spoke on Saturday during a graduation ceremony held by Dominion Mission Theological University (DMTU) in Athi River's Beeri Restoration Church, Machakos County, where he was feted with an honourary Doctorate degree.

DMTU acknowledged his role in transforming the sector that employs about 900,000 workers across the country, noting that the award will go a long way in motivating others to be change-makers.

"We have honoured men and women who have contributed greatly to the well-being of our people and have had a recognisable impact on society after they went through thorough vetting," said the Principal of DMTU Lower Eastern Campus Nicholas Musembi.

Andabwa, the founder of KNPSWU and advocate for reforms in the private security sector saw the enactment of the Private Security Regulations Act 2016 which sought to champion the social welfare of the guards.

Further, as a founder of chair of the National Service and Walinzi Savings and Co-operative Society, he has empowered private security guards in a sector that continues to be an economic pillar in the country with a worth of Sh100 billion annually.

The State recently rolled out a number of initiatives to revamp the private security sector, beginning with mandatory registration of security guards.

The registration drive came alongside introductions of standardised training for the officers which, the government says, will earn them a security force number. To realise this, the State inaugurated the first training institution for private security officers in Eldoret, in early July, this year.

According to the Ministry of Interior, these reforms will enhance the service in the private security sector and ensure prompt response to security threats in the country.