In a sweeping enforcement drive, the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has shut down 27 unlicensed firms, citing growing concerns over rogue operators infiltrating the market, undermining standards and posing serious security risks.
The move could leave thousands of guards out of work, even as the government pushes for stricter regulation, improved professionalism and a new minimum wage of KSh 30,000 across the sector.
But beyond enforcement, the crackdown highlights a deeper issue: access. While regulation is tightening at the top, millions of Kenyans still lack affordable, reliable emergency and security response at the point of need.
That’s exactly the problem AURA aimed at solving, back in 2017. Born out of the need to make private emergency response more accessible, AURA has built one of Kenya’s most extensive on-demand networks of vetted security and medical responders.
Through seamless API integrations, WhatsApp, custom apps and IoT-enabled devices, AURA allows businesses to embed instant emergency response into their existing customer and staff ecosystems, turning safety into a scalable, value-added service.
Victor Odera, AURA’s head of operations based in Nairobi, says the PSRA’s crackdown on unlicensed security firms is necessary and welcome step towards restoring integrity in Kenya’s private security sector.
“For too long, rogue operators have eroded trust, putting both lives and livelihoods at risk. While the immediate impact on jobs is significant, the long-term priority must be building an emergency response network that Kenyans can rely on with confidence,” he said.
He added that at AURA, “we see firsthand how critical trust is in moments of crisis. When someone presses a panic button, they are placing their safety and sometimes their life, in the hands of a responder they have never met.”
“That level of trust cannot be taken for granted. It has to be earned through rigorous vetting, consistent standards and ongoing accountability.”
Every responder on AURA’s network goes through a stringent onboarding process. This includes verification of licensing and compliance with regulatory requirements, background checks and assessments of operational capability.
“For us, vetting is an ongoing process: we monitor performance, response times and user feedback to ensure that only the most reliable partners remain on our response network,” he said.
This is particularly important in a fragmented ecosystem like Kenya’s, where the quality of service can vary widely.
Odera stated that technology can help bridge gaps in public response systems, but it cannot replace the need for strong, trusted networks of human professionals on the ground. Without that foundation, even the most advanced platforms risk connecting people to the wrong kind of help.
Ultimately, safety is not only about response but confidence. Kenyans should be able to go about their daily lives knowing that if something goes wrong, help will come quickly and it will be delivered by a trained, responsible professional.
Ensuring it is only such professionals who enter the emergency response network, is key to building trust and delivering the services Kenyans deserve.
