Subheading: An audit exposes a systemic failure of the surveillance system, raising alarms about public safety and accountability in Kenya’s capital.
Byline: By [Your Name/Outlet Name], Security and Governance Correspondent Dateline:NAIROBI, Kenya – September 16, 2025
(NAIROBI, Kenya) – A damning report has revealed that the vast majority of Nairobi’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, a cornerstone of the city’s modern security strategy, are not working, effectively blinding law enforcement and leaving the capital vulnerable.
According to an audit by the Nairobi City County Assembly, nearly the entire network of cameras installed at a cost of hundreds of millions of shillings is dysfunctional. The investigation, led by County Assembly Speaker Stephen Mwangi, found a litany of failures including faulty installation, lack of maintenance, vandalism, and the use of obsolete equipment.
“This is a shame to the city. We have invested a lot of money in the installation of CCTV cameras, but unfortunately, most of them are not working,” Mwangi stated. The revelation has sparked public outrage and serious concerns over the efficacy of the city’s crime prevention measures.
A System in Complete Failure
The audit uncovered a catastrophic breakdown of the system:
· Non-Functional Equipment: The report indicates that out of hundreds of cameras deployed across the city’s estates and central business district, only a minuscule fraction are operational.
· Root Causes: The failures are attributed to poor initial installation by contractors, a complete lack of a sustainable maintenance program, and widespread vandalism of equipment with no provisions for repairs or replacements.
· Financial Waste: The project represents a significant squandering of public funds, with millions of shillings invested in infrastructure that now sits useless, providing no return on investment in terms of security.
Context: Security, Accountability, and a History of False Starts
The collapse of Nairobi’s CCTV system is not merely a technical failure; it is a critical governance and public safety issue with deep roots.
· The Promise of “Safe City” Initiatives: For over a decade, the national and county governments have promoted high-tech surveillance as the solution to Nairobi’s persistent crime problems. The operational CCTV network was meant to be a powerful tool for deterring crime, monitoring traffic, and providing crucial evidence to prosecutors. Its failure directly undermines these efforts.
· A Recurring Pattern: This is not the first time the failure of Nairobi’s CCTV system has been exposed. Similar reports have emerged in previous years, pointing to a cyclical pattern of grand announcements for new security projects, followed by multi-million-shilling contracts, and then a total breakdown due to corruption, poor planning, and a lack of long-term strategy. This suggests a systemic inability to learn from past mistakes.
· Broader Implications for Public Trust: The functional state of public infrastructure is a key measure of government effectiveness. The failure of a critical security system like this erodes citizen confidence in the authorities’ ability to provide basic services and ensure safety. It also raises urgent questions about oversight and accountability for large-scale public contracts.
· Contrast with Private Security: The failure of the public system stands in stark contrast to the reliance on private security firms and businesses, which maintain their own functional CCTV networks. This creates a two-tiered security reality where affluent areas and private entities can protect themselves, while the general public is left exposed.
