Private investigator licensing in Kenya
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Kenya.
Kenya regulates private investigation as a private security service under the Private Security Regulation Act 2016, which lists "private investigations and consultancy" in its definition. Every individual investigator must be registered with the Private Security Regulatory Authority, and any firm offering investigations must hold a PSRA licence for that service. Individuals must be Kenyan citizens or ordinarily resident, over 18, have completed security training at a PSRA-accredited institution and hold a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.1
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How to get licensed2
- 1
Complete training at a PSRA-accredited institution
- 2
Obtain a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations
- 3
Apply for individual registration on Form PSR 7 (firms: corporate licence on Form PSR 8) through the PSRA eCitizen portal
- 4
Pay the prescribed annual fee
- 5
Renew annually with evidence of one week's training in the previous year
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Kenya.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies1
- Training
- Training in security matters at an institution accredited by the PSRA; at least a primary school certificate1
- Citizenship
- Kenyan citizen or person ordinarily resident in Kenya (firms: incorporated in Kenya; foreign-registered firms need at least 25% local shareholding)1
- Fees
- Annual fees (Second Schedule, 2019 Regulations): individual investigator KSh 7,000; corporate investigation service KSh 50,000 plus a size-based fee from KSh 50,0002Fees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Processing time
- Not published by the regulator
- Renewal
- Annual: registration lasts up to one year; individual renewals need evidence of at least one week of security training in the preceding year1
- Continuing education
- At least one week of training in security matters in the preceding year, required for annual renewal of individual registration1
Rules in the field
GPS trackers
Car tracking and surveillance is itself a listed private security service; satellite tracking devices are approved security equipment, but equipment capable of intercepting another person's communications is banned (Private Security (General) Regulations 2019).2
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Kenya
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Kenya?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Kenya. Kenya regulates private investigation as a private security service under the Private Security Regulation Act 2016, which lists "private investigations and consultancy" in its definition. Every individual investigator must be registered with the Private Security Regulatory Authority, and any firm offering investigations must hold a PSRA licence for that service. Individuals must be Kenyan citizens or ordinarily resident, over 18, have completed security training at a PSRA-accredited institution and hold a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Who licenses private investigators in Kenya?+
Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), under Private Security Regulation Act, 2016 (No. 13 of 2016) and Private Security (General) Regulations, 2019 (L.N. 108 of 2019).
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Kenya?+
At least 18.
How often does a Kenya PI licence need renewing?+
Annual: registration lasts up to one year; individual renewals need evidence of at least one week of security training in the preceding year
How much does a private investigator licence cost in Kenya?+
Annual fees (Second Schedule, 2019 Regulations): individual investigator KSh 7,000; corporate investigation service KSh 50,000 plus a size-based fee from KSh 50,000
How do you get a private investigator licence in Kenya?+
1. Complete training at a PSRA-accredited institution 2. Obtain a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations 3. Apply for individual registration on Form PSR 7 (firms: corporate licence on Form PSR 8) through the PSRA eCitizen portal 4. Pay the prescribed annual fee 5. Renew annually with evidence of one week's training in the previous year
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