The Government has pledged to strengthen collaboration with the private sector to enhance security at key national events and improve disaster management frameworks.
This commitment was made during a meeting at Harambee House between officials from the Ministry of Interior and representatives of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). The discussions were led by Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and KEPSA Security Board Chairperson Annette Kimitei.
The leaders emphasised that conference tourism and large-scale events play a critical role in Kenya’s economy, making the safety and security of participants a national priority.
Joint Commitment on Event Security
The KEPSA delegation, which included members from the Events Managers Association of Kenya (EMAK) and the Bouncers Association of Kenya, engaged the Principal Secretary on measures to enhance security for businesses, conferences, and public gatherings.
Following the meeting, both parties issued a joint statement outlining a partnership aimed at strengthening security management during major events.
Under the leadership of the Internal Security Principal Administrative Secretary, a multi-stakeholder working group will be established to develop a national event safety and security framework. The framework will set safety standards applicable to various categories of events across the country.
Strengthening Coordination and Preparedness
The proposed working group will enhance coordination among stakeholders, led by the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), and bring together police, emergency services, private security providers, and event organisers.
It will also focus on improving risk assessment procedures and disaster preparedness protocols.
“Tourism and events are a vital part of the economy. From international sporting tournaments and concerts to political gatherings, conferences, and community celebrations, events create jobs, attract visitors, and support thousands of businesses,” the joint statement noted.
The initiative will involve government agencies, private security firms, event managers, sports organisations, and industry associations to ensure events are safe, well-coordinated, and professionally managed.
Clear Standards for Event Planning
The new framework is expected to serve as a practical guide for event planners, security companies, venues, and public authorities. It will outline minimum standards in key areas such as:
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Crowd management
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Medical preparedness
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Fire safety
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Counter-terrorism coordination
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Post-event reporting
Stakeholders expressed concern that security has often been treated as an afterthought in event planning. Under the new approach, security considerations will be prioritised from the outset.
It was also agreed that large-scale events will require formal risk assessments before approval, with organisers expected to demonstrate coordination with police, ambulance services, and fire departments.
Areas of Collaboration
The State–KEPSA partnership will further focus on:
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Crowd management and ticket control systems
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Training of security personnel and medical response teams
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Investment in infrastructure and technology
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Tackling counterfeit goods and public health risks
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Strengthening cybersecurity and data protection
The collaboration marks a significant step toward creating a structured, nationwide approach to event safety, aimed at safeguarding lives while supporting Kenya’s growing conference and events sector.
