Bizna Kenya in partnership with Securex Ltd held a Bizna SME Forum on 11th July at the 7th August Memorial Park on Business Security Measures During Elections.
Main speaker at the event, Mr. Marco Bock is the regional director at Securex Ltd; the leading regional security provider for technology-driven security solutions across Africa. Founded and headquartered in Kenya in 1970, the company has grown in stature and now has offices across Kenya and Uganda.
As an entrepreneur, it is important to take safety measures to protect yourself and your business against post election violence.
According to Securex, 2007’s post election violence largely affected SMEs and the country at large,slowing down its economic growth to 0.02%.
Riots and vandalism as a result of post-election violence leads to destruction and closure of numerous businesses, also scares away investors; both local and foreign. Other negative result of post election violence is the increase in price of commodities which has a major effect on consumers of such commodities. Kenya’s economy lost $3.7B as a result of the 2007 post election Violence.
How to protect yourself and your business against post-election violence:
- Business owners can also consider maintaining a stock of dry foods on site should transport to and from work be compromised.
- Businesses have also been reminded to conduct regular back-ups of data on their devices and servers ahead of elections.
- Businesses are also advised to move any expensive equipment to secure, remote locations that are perhaps less prone to riots.
- Business owners are advised to adopt additional security leading up to the polls & prepare their staff for any eventuality in good time.
- Business owners can also encourage their staff to identify alternative routes to and from work in case their regular route is compromised.
- Subscribe to security alerts, also keep an eye on international news/media to be well updated
- Subscribe to security alert services that will give you updated information
- Prepare and train your staff on election safety