PS Omollo urges Kenyans to reclaim civic responsibility amid security concerns

Speaking during a ministerial stakeholder forum between the Ministry of Interior and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo noted that the ripple effects of citizens lowering their guard and disregarding basic safety norms continue to undermine national security and public order.

PS Omollo urged Kenyans to reflect on their civic duties, embrace a sense of ownership of national security, and actively play their rightful role in safeguarding the country.

“We are deeply concerned about the weak security culture among citizens. From ignoring safety protocols at public events to disruptions during protests, these behaviours put lives and livelihoods at risk,” Omollo said.

Noting that small and medium-sized businesses often bear the brunt of looting and destruction, the PS emphasized the need to spark greater public interest, participation, and cooperation in intelligence and information-sharing with security agencies.

He added that “there is urgent work to be done to build a culture of public order and personal responsibility.”

PS Omollo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships between the private sector and citizens to advance shared national priorities.

“We recognise the importance of working together with the private sector to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens. The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) is finalising key regulations to strengthen the private security industry. A professional and well-regulated sector is essential to national security,” he said.

KEPSA Security Sector Board Chairperson Annette Kimitei said the partnership is expanding into new priority areas, including police reforms, cybersecurity, private security sector regulation, and emerging technologies.

With more than 842 million cyber threat attempts recorded in October 2025 and a growing need for modern security infrastructure, KEPSA highlighted its critical role in advancing real-time threat intelligence, disaster preparedness, and community-based climate initiatives.

“We value our longstanding collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. As private businesses, we are committed to hiring qualified and professional security managers who can support a safe business environment,” Kimitei said.

She further noted that as Kenya prepares to host international events such as AFCON, there is an urgent need to learn from past challenges experienced during CHAN and strengthen public discipline.

“We are seeing a trend where youth occupy stadiums and events without regard for protocols or ticketing. This growing ‘occupy culture’ poses a real risk to public safety and threatens the growth of sports and entertainment as key pillars of the creative economy,” she observed.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continue investing in partnerships and collaborative frameworks with private sector players, civil society, and community organisations as part of ongoing progressive reforms in the security sector.