Three security firms, Bedrock Security Services Limited, Bedrock Security Alarm Systems and Products Limited, and Superb Skills Solutions Limited, have made an urgent appeal to the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior, and the National Administration to halt the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PRSA) from revoking their operating licenses.
In a surprising move, PRSA announced the cancellation of licenses for nine companies, including the aforementioned firms, on February 5th, 2024, without prior warning or valid reasons.
Notably, these companies are active members of the Professional Security & Safety Association of Kenya and the Protective Security Industry Association.
Represented by their legal representatives, the three firms have formally notified PRSA that it is now legally prohibited from addressing the matter until the Cabinet Secretary makes a decision within 30 days, in accordance with section 43 of the Private Security Regulation Act of 2016. This legal action automatically places a hold on the license cancellation.
This development comes amidst ongoing disputes and demonstrations from industry associations against a previous PRSA directive stipulating a minimum wage of Kes. 30,000 per guard. The directive was later disowned by CS Labour Florence Bore, further complicating the regulatory landscape.
Section 43 of the PSRA Act of 2016 provides a legal avenue for practitioners to appeal to the Cabinet Secretary in the event of grievances against a decision made by the regulator. Importantly, it stipulates that once an appeal is lodged with the Cabinet Secretary, the Authority and its secretariat are legally barred from handling the matter until the CS resolves the dispute.
Furthermore, the CS is mandated to appoint a three-member Adhoc team to advise on the dispute and must reach a determination within 30 days.
The security firms’ appeal represents a significant escalation in the ongoing regulatory conflict and underscores the high stakes involved for both the companies and the broader private security industry in Kenya.
