On Friday, 11th April 2025, I had the privilege of moderating a high-impact panel at the RIANA Group Security Executives Forum at the Hyatt Regency Nairobi. Themed “Integrating Security from the Ground Up”, the discussion explored the vital collaboration between architects, engineers, surveyors, and security professionals in designing and delivering safer, smarter buildings.

We’re in an era where traditional approaches to security no longer cut it. Physical barriers, standalone CCTV systems, and manual visitor logs feel almost archaic when juxtaposed with today’s smart technologies, AI-driven threat detection, and integrated systems thinking. This is precisely the lens we applied to this forum.

The panel comprised some of the region’s foremost professionals from the real estate, insurance, hospitality, and construction sectors:

Andrey Lyubimov — Development Manager, HASS Consult
Jack Njuguna — Regional Head of Security, Jubilee Insurance
John Githiri — Director & Project Manager, Millstone Construction Company
Leakey Indiazi Changilwa — Security Manager, Gem Forest Hotel Nairobi
Moses Karani — Quantity Surveyor & Incoming Chair, AAK Quantity Surveyors Chapter

Key Takeaways From The Discussion Panel.

Throughout the 90-minute session, we unpacked some compelling insights that are now available in the full video and audio podcast episode — live on the Pure Digital Passion Podcast.

Security Should Be a Design Imperative, Not a Retrofit: Andrey Lyubimov emphasized the importance of incorporating security at the earliest stages of property development. Sharing his experience with a mixed-use project in Nairobi that employed facial recognition technology, he demonstrated how early integration prevented costly bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
Risk Assessment Is Non-Negotiable:: Jack Njuguna made a compelling case for layered security architecture — blending physical measures like access control and surveillance with cyber safeguards. He underscored the insurer’s perspective: ROI in security is most evident when incidents occur, but preparedness mitigates long-term losses.
Compliance and Standards Are Still Playing Catch-Up John Githiri pointed out that while Kenya’s 2024 Building Code and KEBS standards offer a regulatory framework, real-world adoption remains inconsistent. Much of what gets implemented still depends on client aspirations more than national legislation.
The Hospitality Lens: Security Without Sacrificing Experience: Leakey Indiazi shared hospitality-specific nuances — such as balancing stringent security protocols with seamless guest experiences. His insights from the frontlines of hotel security highlighted how technology like LPR and smart communication between guards enhances safety without intimidation.
Future-Proofing Through Value Engineering: Moses Karani articulated the financial implications of late-stage security integrations and how early planning — even without full implementation — helps align budgets with essential infrastructure for future rollouts.

We also explored the often-overlooked topic of retrofitting existing buildings, calling for more thoughtful legislation and incentives to upgrade aging structures without needing to rebuild from scratch. Passive design principles were debated too, with general consensus that we’re shifting rapidly from passive to active security paradigms.

What's Next?

The panel called on developers, policymakers, and professional bodies to:

Integrate risk assessments into early design
Partner with independent security experts, not just vendors
Consider cybersecurity as core to physical security planning
Educate clients on the long-term value of secure infrastructure
Push for legislation that normalizes integrated security standards