Gov’t calls for enhanced security in learning institutions
By Hilary KimuyuThe government has called for a meeting with learning institutions across the country following an increase in incidents within and around universities in Kenya.
In a notice letter sent to all security managers of Universities and institutions of higher learning Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) CEO Fazul Mohamed requested that they (public and private) attend a meeting with the view to ensuring that are safe and secure.
“In view of the foregoing, the Government has commenced mandatory nationwide security vetting, training and licencing of all in-house security officers employed in institutions of higher learning, contracted private security officers and all officers offering security services, be they employed by the said institutions or otherwise engaged as private security service providers,” he said in the notice.
According to Mr Mohamed, the Authority has organised a sensitization forum which will be held on Thursday, February 22 at the Kenya School of Government.
Previously hailed as citadels of education, universities in Kenya are morphing into killer zones.
Private security experts, police and student leaders agree on common issues that contribute to insecurity in the universities.
Key among them are alcoholism, drug abuse, decaying moral standing, poverty, peer pressure, poor parenting, misuse of the internet and the ever-evolving cyber space.
Ken Gendo, the chief security officer at Maseno University says that he believes rising cases that result in deaths are fuelled by students themselves.
Often, students who find themselves on the wrong side of the law have a record of delinquency. These habits include prostitution and gang membership.
Mr Gendo says the number of students involved in cybercrime is on the rise too.
“Many students join university when they are young. Some begin cohabiting when they’ve barely known each other. The end result is fighting, pregnancies and even deaths,” he said, adding that poor parenting is also to blame for the moral decadence.
The PSRA has rolled out plans to make it mandatory for the employers of the close to one million members who are security guards, to earn the minimum gazetted wage.
The regulations also say all guards must have a Guard Force Number (GNF). GFN is the only proof that a Private Security Officer has been duly registered and licensed by the authority in accordance with the provisions of the law, a copy of a legal notice says.
Employers who fail to adhere to the requirements shall be liable to a fine or imprisonment in the case of a natural person, and Sh2 million in the case of a corporate.
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