New Safety Push: Government and Businesses Join Forces to Protect Kenya’s Events Industry

Kenya is charting a new path to secure its booming events industry. The government has pledged closer cooperation with private sector players to improve safety at conferences, concerts, sports tournaments and public gatherings. The focus is simple. Plan better. Coordinate faster. Prevent crises before they happen.

The move follows fresh talks between officials from the Interior Ministry and leaders from the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). Both sides agreed that events are more than entertainment. They drive tourism. They create employment. They boost small and medium enterprises. But without proper security planning, the risks can be costly.

Authorities now want security integrated into event planning from the start. A joint working group will soon be formed. It will bring together government agencies, private security firms, event organizers and emergency responders. Their task will be to craft a national guide on how events should be secured and managed.

The proposed framework will outline clear standards. Organizers will be required to conduct formal risk assessments. Crowd control plans must be detailed. Medical teams and ambulances must be on standby. Fire safety measures will be mandatory. Coordination with police and other agencies will no longer be optional.

Technology will also take center stage. Stakeholders are exploring better ticketing systems and improved monitoring tools to reduce overcrowding and fraud. Cybersecurity will be strengthened, especially for large conferences handling sensitive data.

Training is another priority. Security personnel, including private guards and event marshals, will receive updated guidance to handle emergencies and large crowds professionally. Officials say preparedness can reduce panic and save lives.

The new partnership signals a cultural shift. In the past, safety measures were sometimes addressed late in the planning process. Now, they will be treated as a core requirement. Event approval may depend on proof of compliance.

Leaders believe that stronger safety standards will protect lives and strengthen Kenya’s image as a regional hub for meetings and entertainment. A safer events industry, they argue, is good for business and good for the country.