Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya National Private Security Workers Union secretary general Isaac Andabwa has called for the establishment of a guards’ training academy in the country.
According Andabwa, this will be part of the sector’s reform agenda.
He said the institution will help in training and building capacities of the private security officers across the country.
“Once you want to acquire particular title in terms of a profession, the entry point is training. You can’t for instance be a doctor, teacher, farmer or an engineer without undergoing a particular training,” Andabwa told the Star on Saturday.
“So, we are requesting President William Ruto’s government to think about the hustlers in terms of empowerment. We demand for our own training academy so that we get trained on security complimentary roles, not police issues.”
The unionist urged Private Security Regulatory Authority director general Fazul Mahammed to stamp his authority so as to fast track reform agenda in private security.
Andabwa said private security was a profession on its own unlike what was earlier said that they must undergo training at Kiganjo.
“In citation of Regulation authority recognizes us as private security officers or private guards. So, what I’m requesting for is no need of having woes between NITA and TVET on who should come up with the sector’s training curriculum as earlier witnessed,” he said, adding that, “That is losing direction.”
Andabwa said the reform process couldn’t be accomplished without establishing a training institution.
He said private security officers in Kenya want a training academy since their role is to compliment National Security Agencies.
“As guards, we strictly supplement National Security Agencies as private security officers. So, we shouldn’t have any war, misconception or misunderstanding between private security officers and police officers alongside other security agents.
“Some people claimed we wanted to take over police duties due to the reforms. We want to do different functions,” he added.
Andabwa said the current misunderstanding will end once a training academy is established.
He said as private security sector, they must have a serious working relationship with the National Security Agencies in terms of sharing information, working structures and arrangements.
“This is because the ultimate goal of both private security officers and police is to protect lives and property.”
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