Kenya mulls partnership with private security firms to boost security

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday signed the Private Security Industry Regulation Bill into law as part of efforts to boost security in the East African nation.

A statement from Kenyatta's office said the new law provides for a framework for cooperation between private security companies and the national security organs.

"The objective of the Act is to provide for a framework of regulation of private security services industry in accordance with the values and principles set out in the constitution," Kenyatta said in the statement issued in Nairobi.

The move comes as debate has been raging in Kenya on whether private security guards should be armed to act as deterrent to terrorists and other criminals, in the wake of terror attacks in the country.

Some security industry players said armed private security guards can offer resistance to armed attackers including terrorists thus minimizing number of casualties and destruction.

Others, however, said arming private guards will release too many arms into the hands of the public, which can be used to commit more crimes.

Kenyatta said the new law calls for the registration of all security firms, training of its personnel and proper remuneration for all private security guards.

"It will also provide for guidelines for foreign ownership and control of business operating as a security service provider. The new law will also provide for the establishment of the Private Security Regulatory Authority," the statement said. Endit