The fight against the coronavirus pandemic received a boost in Kenya as Ministry of Health officials embarked on the first phase of training private security guards. More than 120 guards from different security firms were taught by a team of health experts on how to protect themselves and interact with members of the public during the health crisis. The recent training at the Private Security Training Academy in Karen, Nairobi, was the first initiative to teach front line officers in the war against Covid-19.
It followed a request by private security associations to the Ministry of Health for involvement in tackling the dreaded virus. A statement by Private Security Congress indicated plans were underway to train its workforce of approximately 700,000. Officials of several associations under the Congress have met with ministries of health and Interior to roll out the training.
According to Delano Kiilu, Secretary-General of the Protective and Safety Association of Kenya, the officers would serve as primary informants for the government. “Our guards will act as primary informants and we immediately transmit the same information to the National Emergency Centre,” Mr Kiilu stated. Security companies in Kenya have been listed under the essential services providers who can operate within the curfew hours.
This makes them uniquely placed to serve as the eyes and ears of the government around the clock and report back to the relevant authorities. Chairperson of the Protective Security Industry Association Cosmas Mutava confirmed that several teams were already meeting and working on various aspects of training and coordination with the national emergency committee.
Currently, more than 600 officers are undergoing training on how to sanitise and use protective gear without endangering their lives. This training is designed to trickle down to other members. PROSAK chairman Enock Makanga said coordination of the guards will be effected through the communication and command centre that will relay information from the security officials to the national centre and vice versa.
