Kenya’s private security industry is undergoing radical changes triggered by numerous threats arising from terrorism activities in the country. The firms are struggling to meet new demands that seek to align their operations with those of government security agencies. Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the idea is to ensure that security guards complement police and other agencies like the National Security Intelligence Service and the military in the war against terrorism.
Kenya has been on high security alert since October last year when the military entered Somalia in Operation Linda Nchi, to fight Al-Shabaab. “We need these people (private guards) because some of them are very well-trained and professional. But in the end we need an Act to inculcate professionalism across the board,” said Mr Kiraithe.
Below I have posted two articles that discuss the latest efforts that the Kenyan government is taking in order to work with and regulate their PSC industry in order to better prepare them for counter-terror efforts. The reason why this is important to Kenya is that terrorism has increased in their country and it is a threat to their tourism industry. It is also a threat to the population itself, and thanks to their neighbor called Somalia, they have plenty of pirates and jihadists to deal with.
The company mentioned in this first article is called XFOR Security Solutions. It is a UK company and they are teaming up with police officers from Kenya to train other PSC’s in the country.
He said the Security firms can play a big role in bringing security services closer to members of the public.
“We have carried out training in Nairobi where we meet various security heads from different sectors to educate them on various ways to identify and counter terrorism and we hope to extend the training to North Eastern,” said Mr Lincon-Hope.
The training comes a few months after a French woman and a British Couple were kidnapped while on holiday in Kiwayu, a few kilometres north of Lamu.
Tourism is also a big component of Kenya’s economy, and with so many other threats to their economy, it would make sense that they would try to shore up their security services there. From high oil prices to droughts, Kenya is having to take measures to better their economic prospects. So enter the private security market and the current requirements for protecting the resorts and game reserves.
The second article below talks about the government’s regulatory efforts. Notice how there is more of an emphasis on how to create a system of rules and laws that will make PSC’s more of an asset in Kenya’s efforts to counter terror and crime. That is great, and this is how a government should view their PSC’s–as strategic national security assets, and not as a liabilities.
National Private Security Workers Union secretary-general Thomas Alloyce said:
“Once the law is passed, requirements for one to offer private security will be expanded. Guards will undergo training in bomb detection and disposal, VIP protection and counter- terrorism strategies.”
In the draft stage, the Bill faced hurdles over some proposed sections.
For instance, the issuance of firearms to security guards.
“We are safer when we have as many people out there each with qualifications in certain security areas.”
I wish Kenya well with their efforts and we will see how things go. If any readers have anything to add, feel free to comment below. –Matt
Coast police officer Aggrey Adoli with security staff from various hotels along the coastline after they attended an anti-terrorism training organised by XFOR security Solutions-Kenya on February 13, 2012. Photo/LABAN WALLOGA
Police train private security firms’ staff on explosives in war against terrorism
By ANTHONY KITIMO
February 13 2012
The fight against terrorism continued to gather momentum after the government teamed up with private security firms to seek a joint solution to the crime.
It is seen as a decisive step by the government to restore confidence to tourists following last year’s two abduction cases in Lamu by Somali bandits.
On Monday, the police department promised to work closely with private security firms in Coast Province, particularly along the 600 kilometre coastline to prevent any further terrorists attacks.
A joint training is being conducted in Mombasa, organised by a British based security private firm, XFOR Security Solution and top police officers.
They are gathered at the Nyali Reef Hotel to coach more than 100 participants from different security firms.
Detecting explosives
The trainees will learn various ways of detecting explosives and how to collect intelligence in their respective work places, especially in hotels and other business premises, such as supermarkets.
The merger comes days after a security firm, Brinks Security based in Mombasa aided in the arrest of a British who was taking pictures near the Central Bank, Mombasa branch and various sensitive premises in Mombasa town.
Speaking while opening the training, Coast Provincial Police boss Aggrey Adoli and provincial Anti-Terrorism department head Elijah Rop said the knowledge will ensure private security firms’ employees are conversant with various explosives which might be a threat to the business they offer security services to.
“We have decided to organise this meeting to ensure all private firms which are scattered all over the region are equipped with knowledge on how to counter terrorism which has proved to be a threat not only in Kenya but in the world at large,” said Mr Adoli.
The PPO said most of the private security firms had very little knowledge about terrorism, making it difficult to counter terrorism.
“Today we shall display some of then explosives and materials commonly used by terrorists so that whenever a guard comes across such an item, he or she can easily identify it and take necessary measures,” he said.
Mr Adoli said the training was aimed at, among others, restoring confidence in tourists. Those who were first targeted in the training are security firms offering services to hotel industry along the Coast from Vanga to Kiunga.
“The training will help in intelligence building for security firm staffs and they will play a key role in helping police to beef up security along the beaches where we have hundreds of hotels. By assuring tourists of their security, we hope the country’s image will be upheld as a safe destination,” said Mr Adoli.
He said the security firms which were deployed in various premises can play a vital role in ensuring the security is sustained in the country.
The PPO said the same training will be extended to members of the public so as to make security second nature even in households.
“Security is the duty of every individual, that is why police are moving to the grassroots to embrace community policing and have adequate information on what is happening on the ground,” he said.
Anti-terrorism chief, Mr Rop, on the other hand said terrorists had vast methodology, but the force was on a lookout to wipe them.
“We have positioned our security teams in various installations within the Coastal towns to ensure tourists have confidence while on their visit to Kenya,” he said.
Mr Benard Kyengo, manager Brinks Security Services said the information was vital to them as it would help in fighting terrorists.
Mr Kyengo said his firm is contracted to offer security services to Kenyatta University, Coast Campus and various container Freight terminal in Mombasa, and therefore needed all the skills it could get.
“We have several clients and if we had such information we have acquired today, we could have easily nabbed a suspect who was filming Central Bank and other banks in Mombasa, but still, our tip helped the police to trace the suspect a few weeks ago,” said Mr Kyengo.
He said the training was invaluable since they learnt how several bombs, detonators and different explosive materials work.
The suspect was arrested the same day a Dutch was found mapping Department of Defence Headquarters in Nairobi.
XFOR Security Solutions (KE) CEO Gary Lincoln-Hope said they plan to extend the training to North Eastern Province.
He said the Security firms can play a big role in bringing security services closer to members of the public.
“We have carried out training in Nairobi where we meet various security heads from different sectors to educate them on various ways to identify and counter terrorism and we hope to extend the training to North Eastern,” said Mr Lincon-Hope.
The training comes a few months after a French woman and a British Couple were kidnapped while on holiday in Kiwayu, a few kilometres north of Lamu.
Terrorist hide-out
In the recent cases, Coast Province has been linked with various terrorism activities and has been cited as a hide out of many suspected terrorists.
Last month, a British woman suspected to be one of the financiers of terror related groups within and outside the country escaped a police dragnet during a raid organised by General Service Unit’s (GSU) Recce Squad and National Intelligence Security Service.
The woman, Ms Natalie Webb, one of the suspects wanted by the police, was in a house said to belong to a wife of former terror mastermind Musa Hussein Abdi, better known as Dheere.
The suspect has been reported to have been sneaked out of the country by some influential officers.
Information privy to the police indicated the Briton escaped through Lunga-Lunga border days after escaping from police hands.
Story here.
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Law seeks to regulate private Kenyan security firms
By FRED MUKINDA
February 4 2012
Kenya’s private security industry is undergoing radical changes triggered by numerous threats arising from terrorism activities in the country.
The firms are struggling to meet new demands that seek to align their operations with those of government security agencies.
Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the idea is to ensure that security guards complement police and other agencies like the National Security Intelligence Service and the military in the war against terrorism.
Kenya has been on high security alert since October last year when the military entered Somalia in Operation Linda Nchi, to fight Al-Shabaab.
“We need these people (private guards) because some of them are very well-trained and professional. But in the end we need an Act to inculcate professionalism across the board,” said Mr Kiraithe.
He was referring to the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority Bill, which is at the drafting stage and calls for the vetting of applicants before they are trained as guards.
Other requirements include establishing minimum standard occupational conduct, training and equipment so as to “promote professionalism, transparency, accountability and stability, equity and accessibility in the private security industry,” according to a section of the Bill seen by the Sunday Nation.
National interest
Once enacted, firms that fail to meet the regulations will be deregistered. The Bill further says that private security providers must “act in the public and national interest in rendering their services”.
The absence of a guide enshrined in an Act of Parliament is delaying the changes, according to security experts.
Senaca East Africa chief executive officer Terry Downes said the role of private security in Kenya should be enhanced to bring it at par with international practice.
“In other markets public-private partnership in terms of security is the norm. Those markets are regulated, they have proper standards and therefore the private sector can claim to be a real partner. That potential exists here but the private industry has a lot of work to do.”
Unlike in the past when guard duty largely involved ushering visitors in and out, they are now performing surveillance to detect and thwart attacks.
In Nairobi, for example, since October security guards use metal scanners to screen people at office buildings as well as malls and restaurants.
But, according to Mr Downes, such techniques, if not upgraded, cannot guarantee absolute protection and are annoying the public.
“Some of these gadgets have become an embarrassment. You hear the scanner beep and they (guards) wave you on,” he said.
To ensure maximum security, Mr Downes would rather private security officers be trained in “customised risk assessment,” so every premise has distinct measures in place to avoid being predictable.
National Private Security Workers Union secretary-general Thomas Alloyce said:
“Once the law is passed, requirements for one to offer private security will be expanded. Guards will undergo training in bomb detection and disposal, VIP protection and counter- terrorism strategies.”
In the draft stage, the Bill faced hurdles over some proposed sections.
For instance, the issuance of firearms to security guards.
“We are safer when we have as many people out there each with qualifications in certain security areas.”
Story here.