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Also targeted are events security and other security personnel in entertainment, recreational and sporting establishments.
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The move comes following an incident where journalists and officers from Nacada were assaulted during a raid at a bar in Nairobi.
Image: FILE
The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has ordered a mandatory nationwide vetting, training and licensing of bouncers.
Also targeted are events security and other security personnel in entertainment, recreational and sporting establishments.
PSRA director general Fazul Mahamad wrote to the groups inviting them to the planned sessions saying they are mandatory.
He said PSRA is charged with the responsibility of regulating the Private Security Industry in accordance with the law and the values and principles set out in the Constitution.
Section 2 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016 provides that bouncers, event security personnel, VIP protection personnel, Crowd Control Personnel or any other person hired or otherwise engaged to ensure order and safety on premises used for entertainment, recreational or sporting purposes falls within the legal definition of a private security service provider under the Act.
Further, sections 21 and 28 of the Act require that no person shall engage in the provision of private security services unless that person has been security vetted, registered and licensed in accordance with the PSRA Act.
“Given the foregoing, the government has commenced the mandatory nationwide security vetting, training and licensing of all bouncers, bodyguards, event stewards, door supervisors, event security, VIP protection, close protection, and crowd control security personnel," said part of the letter dated January 8.
“In this regard, the Authority has organized a sensitisation forum on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 8:30 am.”
The letter said the forum will be free of charge and those responsible for the groups have been asked to get in touch with PSRA for planning purposes.
The training will be escalated to other regions.
The move comes following an incident where journalists and officers from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse were assaulted during a raid at a bar in Nairobi.
Nacada had conducted the operation to curb shisha smoking.
At least 21 people were arrested in connection to the incident.