Owners of structures to ensure they have CCTV cameras in new National policy

Owners of institutions, businesses, and facilities with public spaces will have to install CCTV systems under a proposed policy.

The National CCTV policy, prepared by the Interior ministry, says the systems installed must be registered and operated in compliance with the law.

It adds that owners or operators of the systems maintain them besides ensuring the system provide reasonable access, connection, linkage and integration mechanisms.

 “All CCTV footage/images should be disclosed for carrying out a formal investigation where it can reasonably be expected that the disclosure of the footage/images may help the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offence,” says the draft.

“The CCTV systems should operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week and have the capability of working in all light situations.”

In the policy, owners of the systems will ensure that they do not cover restricted areas ?and the cameras are positioned in such a way that they monitor areas intended to be covered.

Landlord of a property or space being overlooked will be notified of the installations that should be fixed within a secure area.

The draft policy says any installation of CCTV systems that transverse more than one county will be vetted and registered by the Ministry of Interior, while at county level, be approved through the County Security and Intelligence Committee.

“There should be clear signage informing the public of CCTV surveillance systems coverage,” reads part of the proposal.

“All CCTV Systems should store the recordings for a minimum of 30 days, while incidences of interest be sufficiently archived for a minimum of 90 days."

If adopted audits and submission of CCTV reports will be done quarterly at County level and annually at National level.

The public has until August 14 to submit their views on how the policy should be effectively implemented.