The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has launched a nationwide public participation exercise aimed at delivering long-overdue reforms and permanently transforming Kenya’s private security sector.
Speaking to the press on Friday in Kisumu, PSRA Director General Philip Leakey Okello said the authority, established in 2016, has operated for years without fully implemented regulations, an issue he said must now be corrected.
Leakey revealed that the draft Private Security Regulations 2025 contain four key components: general regulations, procedures for appointing board members, the use of animals in private security operations, and the management of the duty fund.
“Today we are here to conduct public participation on the draft Private Security Regulation Act 2025, which mainly covers four areas: general regulations, procedures for appointing board members, use of animals in private security, and duty fund operations. You cannot have a house without pillars,” Leakey said.
He added that once adopted by Parliament, the regulations will usher in a more professional, ethical sector where security officers are treated with dignity and honour.
“We want an industry that is professional and ethical, and we want our people treated with dignity. This will be achieved if we pass these regulations. The law requires robust public participation, and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa echoed his sentiments, noting that the regulations would help standardise the industry and safeguard the welfare of both workers and clients.
“Members of the firms and the public, including the national security sector, are here to give their views so that we can build a more professional and ethical private security sector where people are treated with utmost dignity,” Mworoa said.
Leakey emphasised that regulations form the “pillars” of the sector, saying their implementation is overdue. He noted that participants in Nyanza had overwhelmingly supported the reforms, and the Ministry of Interior had welcomed the process.
“Now the pillars are the regulations undergoing public participation countrywide. We expect another final round of public participation on Monday at the KICC Lenana Hall in Nairobi from 10 a.m. The general opinion from Nyanza is that these regulations are timely and must be passed. What is good will proceed; what is not will be dropped. We thank the Ministry of Interior for its support,” he said.
