- The new directive was communicated yesterday in a statement issued by four principal secretaries led by Interior's Raymond Omollo
- Private guards urged to implemented stringent safety protocols
Image: /EZEKIEL AMINGÁ
The government will next week launch a major crackdown on unregistered short-term rentals to curb rising cases of femicide across the country.
Owners of all premises offering short-term rentals have been given one week to register with the Tourism Regulatory Authority.
The new directive was communicated yesterday in a statement issued by four principal secretaries led by Interior's Raymond Omollo.
"In light of the recent disturbing murder incidents in short-term rentals, prioritising and enforcing existing regulations is a critical step in addressing and mitigating these concerning occurrences," the PSs said.
“We will subsequently coordinate with booking platforms to restrict unregistered rentals and further institute severe penalties, including fines and revocation in cases of non-compliance.”
The statement was signed by Omollo, Gender PS Anne Wangombe, Beatrice Inyangala (Higher Education) and John Ololtuaa (Tourism).
“Resident associations are encouraged to work closely with law enforcement agencies for effective enforcement. This includes sharing information, joint inspections and coordinated responses to any safety standard violations,” they said.
They said the initiative underscores the government's commitment to safeguard the well-being of individuals using the services.
“We urge all stakeholders in the short-term rental sector to adhere to these regulations, recognising their legal and moral responsibility in ensuring a safe environment for all individuals regardless of gender,” the PSs said.
The Private Security Regulatory Authority has already implemented stringent safety protocols to enhance security and accountability within these premises.
“Security guards are now legally mandated to record the identification details of all individuals entering these premises, documenting their time of entry and exit and temporarily retain all visitors’ identification documents,” the PSs said.
“Moreover, these measures mandate the installation of CCTV surveillance systems, ensuring that the recording of footage remains consistently up-to-date, they said in a joint statement."
In 2021, TRA enacted new regulations on registration and licensing of short-term rentals in Kenya.
The authority said the new regulations were prompted by the dynamic and emerging traveler trends.
These trends necessitated different concepts in the local and global spheres.
TRA is a state corporation established under section 4 of the Tourism Act No. 28 of 2011, with the mandate to regulate all tourism activities and services in Kenya.
Section 7(1)(c) of the Tourism Act, 2011 and Part III of the Tourism Regulatory Authority, make it mandatory for persons carrying out tourism businesses and services to be licensed by TRA.
For members to be successfully registered by the TRA and be issued a regulatory licence, they are required to make a one-off application fee of Sh1,000 and an annual licence fee for each unit owned.
This registration process is designed to ensure that all accommodations meet the highest standards of safety and security forguests.
The officials called for increased public awareness and action to address the global issue of violence against women.
“It's crucial that stakeholders at all levels – government, community, individuals and international actors –collaborate to create a safer environment for women and hold perpetrators accountable,” they said.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has established a team to tackle femicide cases.
The move comes in the wake of two murder incidents at private apartments that offered lodging services in the city.
Private Security Regulatory Authority director general Fazul Mahamed on January 15, reminded guards of their powers to record and temporarily withhold documents in accommodation, lodging and hospitality establishments.
"In furtherance of the above-stated provision of the law, all private security service providers offering private security services in residential apartments, lodging and hospitality establishments are hereby directed to effective immediately comply with the Section 48 of the Act," he said.
"Further they must maintain a current and accurate log of all vehicles, rickshaws and motorcycles entering and/or departing from the facilities within the jurisdiction of a private security service provider."
Fazul asked the directors to maintain a register of day and night shift private security officers at the facilities.
The guards must also ensure that the CCTV and security cameras are in proper working conditions and recording of footage is up-to-date.
An updated Access Control Policy, a copy of which should be strategically displayed at the point of entry and exit is also required.
Fazul urged the guards to maintain a security occurrence book to record daily significant incidents relating to the safety of residents and guests within the premises.
“The identification documents surrendered at the point of entry shall be returned back to the person at the point of exit, not be used for any other purpose save for identification and be kept in safe custody until given back to the owner," Fazul said.