Nairobi News

The government has issued new guidelines for security guards manning private and public premises hosting lodgings and other forms of accommodation.

During a meeting of top security officers on Monday, the state said that guards on duty must take visitors’ details and retain their identification documents temporarily.

Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo, who chaired the meeting, said that guards must be reminded of their duties amid concerns of laxity on the side of owners in ensuring safety for the visitors in general.

The directives come in the wake of two murder incidents at private apartments that offered lodging services in the city, disguising themselves as Airbnb’s.

On Monday, the Director General of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Fazul Mahamed, wrote to all directors and managers of private security companies, providers, and individual guards to remind them of their powers to record and temporarily withhold documents in accommodation, lodging, and hospitality establishments.

“In response to the alarming increase in reported incidences of crime including murder cases, happening within residential apartments, particularly those affiliated with online accommodation, lodging, and hospitality platforms such as Airbnb, the Authority hereby issues the following directive aimed at addressing the emerging trends of insecurity to deter criminal activities within these premises and to further safeguard the safety of residents and guests,” he said.

He said section 48 of the Private Security Regulation Act empowers a private security officer stationed at the entry of any premises or property to require a person to identify themselves, register the time of entry and exit of the person and retain temporarily the identification documents of such a person.

“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 Section 48 of the Act.”

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“At the entry of any premises or property within the jurisdiction and care of a private security service provider, a security guard or a security officer, the private security service provider, security guard or officer shall require a person to identify themselves, register the time of entrance and exit of the person and retain temporarily the identification document of such person,” he added.

The latest changes come as authorities in the country are planning a crackdown on establishments claiming to offer online homestays and experiences through Airbnb.

This comes after it emerged that a house where the body of socialite starlet Wahu Mwangi was found was not registered with Airbnb.

An Airbnb spokesperson said the property in question, located in South B, did not have any reservations booked for the dates reported.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of this shocking event, but it is important to make clear that this is not connected to Airbnb in any way,” a statement by Airbnb reads.

“The property in question did not have a reservation booked on Airbnb for the dates reported, and we do not have an account registered to the name of the accused. Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.”

Airbnb has a website that people travelling usually use to book rooms, and they usually charge a commission for the same.

It has also emerged that a suspect in the murder of a 24-year-old woman in the Roysambu area on Sunday used a fake number to call.

The suspect did not also leave his identification as required by law.

Preliminary findings show the man used fake documents and a mobile number registered under a woman’s name to book the room.

The house was not registered as an Airbnb.