The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has launched a new crackdown against bouncers in clubs and entertainment joints.
In a statement on Wednesday, PSRA announced that it will conduct an inspection against the personnel on February 8, 2024.
"The Authority in accordance with Section 9 (b) of the Act, will conduct inspection of entertainment joints and clubs in Nairobi on Thursday 8th February 2024," PSRA stated.
The crackdown is aimed at ensuring that the guards have undergone mandatory security training, are duly licensed and possess valid Guard Force Numbers (GFNs) to operate as private security service providers.
"The purpose of this inspection is to ensure that the bouncers employed or otherwise engaged by these establishments have undergone mandatory security training, are duly licensed and possess valid Guard Force Numbers (GFNs) to operate as private security service providers," the authority added.
"The Inspection of entertainment joints and clubs will be undertaken on a periodic and regular basis to underscore the Authority’s determination for continuous oversight and enforcement of compliance to standards."
On February 5, 2024, PSRA issued a legal notice cancelling the operating licenses of nine companies offering private security services.
Early this month, PSRA issued a notice calling for a new minimum wage of Ksh30,000 per guard.
"Strive to ensure all private security officers employed or otherwise engaged by the company are paid a basic minimum monthly wage of Ksh30,000 for those operating within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area and Ksh27,183 for those operating outside Nairobi Metropolitan Area," the notice read in part.
"That we hereby without any reservations whatsoever, commit to comply with the government-set minimum wage as per legal Notice No. PSRA/005/2023, the guiding principles under Article 238 (1) and 238 (2) (a) and 9(b) of the constitution, the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016 and the terms and conditions attached to the certificate of registration."
The government warned that failure to comply will attract legal consequences including fines, penalties, and potential cancellation of licences to operate.
