Private Security
Companies and their associations have
expressed concerns about the issuance of Guard Force Number (GFN) by Private
Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), which could potentially lead to a
multi-billion shilling scandal.
All employees in the private security sector, including
guards, bouncers, consultants, close protection officers, and others, are
required to attend training at institutions licensed by PSRA to obtain the security ID called GFN.There are between 1.2 million to 2 million employees in
this sector, and the training costs between Kes 10,000 to Kes 12,000 Kes.
It leaves alot of unanswered questions regarding the high
cost of this government ID, which could potentially cost all security more than
Kes 12 billion. Additionally, it is unclear who the beneficial owners of the
training institutions are.
There are concerns that a government institution is
charging for such services, with the money being paid to a private security
company. It is also worrying that guards are expected to pay for personal
numbers, while NSSF and NHIF Numbers are never charged.
There are reports that PSRA CEO, Fazul Mohammed, has
shares in several licensed security training schools via proxies and that he is
allegedly pressuring security companies to get training from his security
training schools, potentially making him one of the key beneficiaries.
So far, PSRA has not only
forced security bouncers from hospitality clubs, lounges and Security
Bouncers Association to get training from the same schools but has also reached out to
Universities.
Even highly trained security directors and general
managers are being forced to get training from these schools located in
Eldoret, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Nairobi.
We are reading Mischief
because Fazul Mohammed is the only CEO
or Director running a whole Government Institution without a fully constituted
PSRA Board. He also continues to make serious National Private Security
Industry decisions without any Industry Stakeholders Consultation and
engagement.
It is equally worrying that neither the PS nor CS has
spoken out against these unprofessional and unethical practices, and there have
been reports of threats against anyone who dares to speak out as well as claims
that he has full backing from the President and Chief of Staff.
