News & Trends

Officers responding to Ruai Bypass reported that around fifteen suspects struck three godowns at approximately 6am, tying up three watchmen before forcing entry. Roughly three tonnes of copper cable, assorted metal bars, and two generators were loaded onto a lorry before the gang fled.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and interrogating on-duty guards as part of standard procedure — not only to identify suspects, but to establish whether access controls, handover procedures, or patrol patterns were breached.

ESS guidance: split shifts with verified relief, panic alarms linked to a 24-hour control room, and documented patrol logs reduce the risk of a single point of failure at warehouse perimeters. After any incident, preserve CCTV and access records immediately for police.

Embakasi police apprehended three men attempting to break into Godown Number 22. Officers recovered a Mitsubishi Canter at the scene — registration plates reportedly concealed — which investigators believe was intended to transport stolen stock.

The case underlines how fast guard reaction and coordinated police response can limit losses. A single alert, raised correctly, prevented what could have become a major warehouse theft.

ESS trains officers on observation, escalation, and communication with alarm-and-response teams. Guards should know exactly who to call, what to report, and how to secure the scene without confronting armed intruders alone.

Kenya's PSRA has closed dozens of unlicensed security firms in an ongoing drive to remove operators that undermine standards and expose clients to liability. Businesses that contract unlicensed guards may face reputational damage, insurance complications, and inadequate cover when incidents occur.

Before appointing a provider, confirm PSRA registration, valid licensing for deployed personnel, and evidence of approved training from an accredited institution. Request copies of insurance cover and written assignment instructions.

ESS is PSRA-compliant and maintains audited HR policies, supervised deployments, and monthly quality audits — giving clients documentation ready for internal review or regulatory enquiry.

PSRA requirements cover more than a licence on the wall. Firms must vet directors and management, submit audited accounts and tax compliance, and deploy guards trained on access control, patrol technique, first aid, fire safety, and legal awareness through accredited programmes.

Industry leaders have linked underpaid, overworked guards to higher rates of collusion with criminals — a physical security risk that no CCTV system alone can fix. Minimum wage rules for guards, upheld in court, are part of raising professional standards across the sector.

When tendering security services, compare providers on supervision ratios, relief arrangements, and training records — not headline price alone. Cheap guarding often costs more after a single break-in.

Commercial burglaries frequently occur between midnight and dawn when foot traffic is low and response times depend on alarm verification. Thieves often probe the same estate repeatedly, watching shift changes and lighting gaps over several nights.

Effective physical defences combine visible guarding or mobile patrols, perimeter lighting, anti-tamper alarms, and CCTV with remote monitoring. Empty premises should not rely on a lone unmanned camera without someone watching the feed.

ESS offers risk assessments, alarm installation, and rapid alarm-and-response teams across multiple counties — aligning site layout with realistic threat profiles rather than generic templates.

A PSRA-licensed deployment should include clear post orders: patrol routes, visitor control, key management, fire assembly points, and escalation contacts. Incident books and daily occurrence reports must be maintained and available for client and regulatory review.

Guards' tools of trade — batons, radios, uniforms, and restraint equipment where authorised — must meet PSRA approval. Clients should ask how often supervisors visit site and whether guards receive refresher training.

ESS quality programme includes monthly security audits, client feedback sessions, and fully supervised assignments documented to PSRA and industry association standards. Contact us for a compliance review of your current or planned security arrangement.