Security Protection and Technology (SECPROTEC) East Africa held its fourth annual conference last week from the 15th to the 17th at the KICC. Organized by Trade Fairs East Africa Ltd and powered by Intersec, the event offered a platform for most security and protection industries within the East and Central Africa to showcase their latest security products and services to the market.
The three-day event whose theme was securing East Africa’s Future included a conference that runs concurrently with the fair. The event was officially opened by the CEO, Trade and Fairs East Africa Ltd in Kenya & Germany, Mr. Skander Negasi. In his opening remarks, Mr. Skander commended the efforts and measures that have been put in place by the Kenyan government to ensure that the East Africa region is secure and prepared to heighten international, regional and local trade. He then invited the chief guest, Ambassador Yvonne Khamati who praised the organizers for hosting the fair at a crucial time when Kenya and the world as a whole are facing terror threats. Ambassador Yvonne, who has vast experience in the security sector, encouraged security professionals to step up their game and embrace new technology if they are to win the war against terrorism.
Day one ended with the 2016 Security Awards that saw to it that several Kenyans who have bravely fought terrorism and other crime related activities in Kenya awarded. The awarding ceremony was headed by the master of ceremony, Mr. Delano Kiilu who is the Secretary General of PROSAK. Among those rewarded were two journalists, Michael Njenga and Hassan Mugambi, from Citizen TV who were celebrated for being security journalists of the year.
Efficient use of electronic security systems was discussed on the second day of the conference. The discussion that was steered by Mr. Bernard Chege of Amiran Communications Ltd and Mr. Johannes Van Der Mass of Paladin Trading Ltd highlighted the what to do and not to do when using electrical devices.
The PROSAK national chairperson, Mr. Enock Makanga who is also the COO of Fidelity Security Ltd gave an edifying speech on Corporate Crime Scene Management and the national counter of terrorism. He used his vast experience to explain to the attendants how to calmly deal with a terror attack while highlighting the attacks that have taken place in the recent past including the recent attack on a police station in Mombasa. Mr. Enock emphasized that PROSAK has fully partnered with the government to ensure that security and safety professionals have the capacity and capability to develop and implement security programs that will prevent revenue loss, loss of life, protect company assets and ensure safety for all stakeholders. “Personally, am well equipped and willing to train as many people as I can on how to fight and stay alive in a terror attack. This will go a long way in ensuring that Kenyans can defend themselves,” he added. “With the enactment of the Security and Regulatory Bill 2016, we are fully determined to ensure that our partnership is fruitful in implementing the bill,” he closed his speech.
The Kenya Security Industry Association (KSIA), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the Protective Security Industrial Association (PSIA) and the Ministry of East Africa Affairs, Commerce and Tourism were the regional partners of SECPROTEC.
The exhibitors ranged from international, regional to local partners of PROSAK. The international exhibitors included the Emirates Fire Fighting Equipment Company from the United Arabs Emirates, the Embroidery Expo Corporation that was majorly exhibiting a broad range of embroidery material that could be used for various purposes, the Global Fire Africa, a company that presented various firefighting equipment as well as Nemtek Ltd, a South African based company that showcased electric fencing products. 1st Outdoor Products Ltd, a Chinese company, presented a broad range of military products that included rucksack, tactical vests, tents, military belts, army boots, bullet proof vests and jackets as well as raincoats. Both the Amped Software and Covidence Company showcased forensic equipment.
All In One Software East Africa Ltd was one of the regional exhibitors in the conference. This company presented a software that can manage attendance at the workplace. Tascon Security Limited, a Kenyan based company, showcased a variety of its products and services including; fire safety equipment, dog security, security systems, event coverage, security and risk management consultancy, supervision and patrol management as well as recruitment and training services. Opti Watch was another local company that presented its surveillance equipment.
The conference was not without media partners. The leading architectural review magazine in the region and official media partner of SECPROTEC 2016, BUILDesign Magazine, was in the forefront networking and covering the various security solutions availed at the event for the building industry.
