market-trends

New Regulations Set to Reinforce Security in Short-Term Rentals (Airbnbs)

By: Peris Gachago
January 16, 2024

The government has taken action to stop murder cases in short-term rental properties. To discuss how to handle the situation, Chief Executive Officers of semi-autonomous government agencies met with Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo on Monday. The meeting came after two murders in short-term rentals in a span of one week. The first incident took place in South B while the other happened on Thika Road Mall Drive in Kasarani. Moments after the meeting Private Security Regulatory Authority CEO Fazul Mahamad asked guards to ensure that they register every person who enters and leaves hotels, lodges and short-term rental houses.

"Section 48 of the Private Security Regulation Act empowers a private security officer stationed at the entry of any premises or property to require a person to identify themselves, register the time of entry and exit of the person and retain temporarily the identification documents of such a person," said Mr Mahamad.

He said that in addition to making sure security cameras are in good operating order, the guards should make sure they keep an accurate and up-to-date record of all cars and motorcycles that enter or leave such locations. "They should maintain an updated access control policy, a copy of which should be strategically displayed at the point of entry and exit; and maintain a security occurrence book to record daily significant incidents," he stated. In addition, he requested that the guards make sure that the documents turned in are only used for identity Security personnel are authorized to search anyone entering any building, per a Ministry of Interior circular. They are not, however, permitted to violate any of the people's fundamental liberties or rights.

"A guard who violates any individual right or fundamental freedom in exercise of the right to search under this section commits an of fence and shall in addition to cancellation of licence, be liable to conviction, "the circular reads in part.

The guards also have the right to record and temporarily withhold identification documents.

At the same time, a group of political leaders has begun the process of regulating the business with the goal of preventing further crime. Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor stated that he will introduce a motion in Parliament to regulate the sector. He proposed that all short-term rental owners be re-vetted.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Odiwuor said that all short-term rental businesses should be registered.

Also read: Tax Considerations for Short-Term Lettings (Airbnb) in Kenya: Ultimate Guide

"I am also in the business, in fact I have so many and that is one of my biggest businesses. The best thing we can do is to ensure that all these businesses are registered, "he said. In Kisumu, those running the business have been asked to register with the county government.

In contrast to hotels, where people typically share their registration documents and have their identities recorded, most of these houses, particularly unregistered ones, are unconcerned about their clients' identities as long as the owner receives payment.

The two recent murder incidents, none of the apartments is registered by the Airbnb company. In a statement, the company said that the house in South B which Starlet Wahu was murdered is not registered with them. The house was booked by Mr John Matara who is the main suspect.

"The property in question did not have a reservation booked on Airbnb for the dates reported, and we do not have an account registered to the name of the accused. Our thoughts are with the victim's loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time," the statement read. According to the Airbnb website, their trust and safety department has offices in several countries, and they have a 24-hour response agency that includes data scientists, product managers, crisis managers, and victim-advocacy specialists, as well as privacy, cybersecurity, insurance, and fraud experts. The team assesses the risk of each Airbnb reservation. It checks all hosts and guests against regulatory, terrorist, and sanctions watchlists.

Read: 10 Tips to protect yourself and your house as an Airbnb host