Bouncers Targeted In Fresh Crackdown On 6 Nairobi Clubs
The six entertainment joints targeted include Kettle House Bar and Grill in Kilimani, Milan Kenya along Waiyaki Way and Black Samurai Lounge in Kilimani.
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The government, through the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), has announced that it will carry out an inspection exercise targeting six entertainment joints in the Nairobi Metropolitan area on Thursday, February 8.
PSRA led by Director-General Fazul Mahamed, in a notice issued on Wednesday, February 7 revealed that the inspection will take place in line with Section 9 (b) of the authority's Act.
"The purpose of this inspection is to ensure that the bouncers employed or otherwise engaged by these establishments have undergone mandatory security training, are duly licensed and possess valid Guard Force Numbers (GFNs) to operate as private security service providers," stated PSRA in part.
PSRA Director General Fazul Mahamed during a past Parliamentary committee appearance. /CITIZEN DIGITAL
Additionally, the inspection of entertainment joints and clubs will be undertaken on a periodic and regular basis to underscore the Authority’s determination for continuous oversight and enforcement of compliance with standards.
The six entertainment joints targeted include Kettle House Bar and Grill in Kilimani, Milan Kenya along Waiyaki Way and Black Samurai Lounge in Kilimani.
Others include Embassy Bistro along Thika Road, Oyster Bay in Kilimani and Quiver Lounge in Kitengela, Kajiado County, a subsidiary of the Quiver Lounge nightclubs in Nairobi, Kajiado and Murang'a counties.
The GFNs were among a series of initiatives launched by PSRA and designed to enhance the private security sector and fortify national security.
The numbers meant for private security officers were aimed at improving oversight and coordination within the private security sector while simultaneously enhancing national security.
“This number is a unique identifier designed to facilitate easy recognition of private security officers by members of the public and to assist the government in keeping track of licensed private security officers,” Fazul stated on September 21, 2023, at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, which was in 2013 infamously attacked by terrorists.
The DG emphasized that the measure will also help in monitoring the operation of licensed private security officers across the country.
The inspection exercise comes after an incident last month where bouncers attacked journalists during the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) operation against shisha smoking at a popular nightclub in Nairobi's Kilimani estate.
The assault saw journalists drawn from the Nation Media Group (NMG), Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and Standard Group Limited attacked by the club's bouncers dressed in black suits and red ties and attached to the Kettle House Bar and Grill.
Following the incident, PSRA launched mandatory security vetting and training for all bouncers, bodyguards, event stewards, door supervisors, event security, VIP protection, close protection, and crowd control security personnel.
