Several private companies risk losing their licences after being exposed to holding their employees' details unwillingly.
According to a notice issued by the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) under the Ministry of Interior, the private security companies have retained important documents which include National Identity Cards, Academic Certificates and other documents.
Through its CEO Fazul Mahamed, the government entity directed the private companies holding those documents to release them within 48 hours.
"All private security companies are hereby directed to within the next 48 hours to stop unlawful retention and hand over all national IDs, academic certificates and other essential personal documents belonging to private security officers (security guards)," Mahamed stated.
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The CEO argued that the vice had become a hindering factor for security guards as most companies are holding them ransom. He described the act as a violation of their rights.
"This measure is being enforced to address and rectify the unlawful retention of personal documents belonging to Private Security Officers by Security companies," he stated.
"The Authority is committed to ensuring that the rights of private security officers are upheld and that any form of exploitation is eradicated."
Private Security Regulatory Authority pointed out that failure to release the documents in the next 48 hours will result in the revocation of licences.
"Failure to comply with this directive will result in appropriate legal action being taken against the specific private security companies including revocation of their operating licences," the notice added.
The sector is undergoing reforms which include raising the minimum wage of private security guards to Ksh30,000.
The move to raise their earnings has received mixed reactions with some private companies rejecting the proposal.
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