--- title: "How Long to Keep CCTV Footage in Kenya: Storage and Retention Guide | Qyvea" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/how-long-should-cctv-footage-be-kept-kenya description: "How long a business should keep CCTV recordings in Kenya, how to work out hard disk size, why continuous writing needs a surveillance disk, and the privacy rules. Live prices, free Nairobi delivery over KES 5,000 and 7-day returns." updated: 2026-10-17 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/how-long-should-cctv-footage-be-kept-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. 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Keep footage long enough to catch a loss you only notice later, and no longer than you can justify. Most people only find out what their cameras missed on the day they needed them. Read on: it takes a few minutes and could save you a lot more than that. **In this guide you will see:** - Pick a retention period from your risks, then size the disk. - Disk size depends on cameras, resolution and bitrate. - Use surveillance-grade disks built for continuous writing. Quick answer There is no single legal number. Decide your retention period from your risks (stock-take every month means you need at least a month), document it, and size the hard disk to match. Recording bitrate and the number of cameras decide how many days a disk holds. Because Kenya's data protection rules treat footage of people as personal data, keep it only as long as you need it and limit who can view or export it. [Photo: Alan J. Hendry / Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/KNt4zd8HPb0) Why this matters now ## Every night without proper recording is a night you cannot prove anything. ### If you wait - A theft or a dispute becomes your word against theirs - You hear about it hours later, if at all - Police and insurers ask what you can show them ### What you get - Every entrance recorded day and night - Playback on your phone within minutes - A visible camera changes how people behave [Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet](/products/hikvision-ds-2cd1023g0e-i-2mp-bullet-network-camera-132 "Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet Network Camera")[Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome](/products/dahua-hdcvi-2mp-dome-camera-14357 "Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome Camera")[Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K](/products/hikvision-ds-7616ni-q2-16ch-4k-nvr-189 "Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K NVR") [Get my free quote on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%20read%20your%20guide%3A%20How%20Long%20Should%20I%20Keep%20CCTV%20Footage%20in%20Kenya%3F.%20I%20want%20CCTV%20sorted.%20Can%20you%20help%3F)Reply usually within 30 minutes. Free site survey in Nairobi and nearby counties. Real products, live prices, in stock now ## Key takeaways - Pick a retention period from your risks, then size the disk. - Disk size depends on cameras, resolution and bitrate. - Use surveillance-grade disks built for continuous writing. - Limit access and document the rule. ## What to look for before you buy 1. **Decide the period**: How long until a loss would normally be noticed? Stock-takes, month-end and complaints set this. 2. **Check the recorder bitrate**: Each camera writes a certain amount per day; the recorder shows the figures. 3. **Work out the disk**: Total daily writing across cameras times the number of days; add a margin. 4. **Choose the disk**: Surveillance-grade disks are made for continuous writing. 5. **Use motion recording carefully**: It saves space but only if it triggers reliably. 6. **Write the rule**: Record the period and who may view or export footage. ## Where these figures come from Figures are indicative and change often; confirm with a written quote. Sources checked October 2026: [Bowmans: Kenya High Court and ODPC decisions on CCTV and privacy](https://bowmanslaw.com/insights/data-protection/kenya-the-high-court-and-the-office-of-the-data-protection-commissioner-issue-decisions-on-complaints-and-the-right-to-privacy-in-the-use-of-cctv-cameras/). ## Best prices in stock today Prices update live from the Qyvea store. Tap any product to see full specs, stock and delivery options, or [ask us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/254113301244) for a recommendation. ## Buying for a business? We supply in bulk ### One supplier for your whole business - **Bulk and repeat orders**: send your list on WhatsApp and get a written quotation, usually within 2 hours - **Printable quotations** straight from the [online store](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) for your approval process - **Thousands of products**: IT, phones, appliances, security, solar and networking from one supplier - **Delivery across Kenya**, plus installation and setup by Qyvea technicians where needed - **After-sales support**: warranty claims handled with you, and maintenance for installed systems [Get a business quote →](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%27d%20like%20a%20bulk%20quote%20for%20my%20business) ## Why buy from Qyvea ### Why Kenyans buy from Qyvea - **Genuine branded products** sold with the manufacturer's warranty (typically 6–24 months, varies by product) - **7-day returns and exchanges**; damaged or wrong item? Report it within 48 hours for a free replacement or full refund - **Pay with M-Pesa, bank transfer or card**; refunds go back the same way - **Free delivery in Nairobi** on orders over KES 5,000, and delivery across Kenya - **Delivered to your door**, dispatched once payment is confirmed, rated 4.6/5 from 57 Google reviews ([bought from us? leave a review](https://g.page/r/CY2LNNqrlgV5EBM/review)) - **Talk to a person** on WhatsApp [0113 301 244](https://wa.me/254113301244), usually within 30 minutes Full details: [return & refund policy](https://qyvea.co.ke/return-policy). ## Frequently asked questions Is there a legal minimum? No fixed number applies to every business. Keep what you need and no more; see the data protection sources below. How many days will a 4 TB disk hold? It depends on the cameras, resolution and settings. Use your recorder's bitrate to calculate rather than guessing. Can I back up to the cloud? Some recorders and cameras offer it. Check the monthly cost and that important clips can be exported. What if the disk fails? Surveillance disks still fail. Check the recorder's disk status regularly and replace disks every few years. ## Why customers choose Qyvea **Genuine brands**: Manufacturer warranty on what we sell, so you are not gambling on the box. **One team, start to finish**: The people who advise you also install and support it. **Fast answers**: WhatsApp replies usually within 30 minutes, and delivery within 24 hours in Nairobi. **Easy to buy**: Pay by M-Pesa, bank transfer or card. Free delivery in Nairobi on orders over KES 5,000. **Risk taken off you**: 7-day returns and exchanges on products, and a workmanship warranty on installations. **Customers say so**: Rated 4.6/5 from 57 Google reviews. **Your next step takes one minute:** send us a photo of the place on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it needs. ## Related articles [CCTV · Guide What Is the Best CCTV for a Small Shop in Kenya? Four cameras on the door, the till, the stock and the back usually cover a small shop. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/best-cctv-for-small-shops-kenya)[CCTV · Buying Guide Business CCTV Buying Guide What actually matters on a CCTV spec sheet when buying for a business. 3 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/business-cctv-buying-guide-kenya)[Alarm Systems · Guide What Should You Do After a Shop Break-In in Kenya? Protect the scene, report quickly, save the footage and fix the way in before you reopen. 3 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/what-to-do-after-a-shop-break-in-kenya) ### Related services [CCTV Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv) ### Related products [Browse the Qyvea shop](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) ### Related projects [Real Qyvea case studies](https://qyvea.co.ke/projects#case-studies) [← Previous**How Long Does CCTV Keep Footage? Recording Days & Hard Drives**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-recording-duration-hard-drives-kenya)[Next →**: How Should a Clinic or Hospital Use CCTV in Kenya?**](https://qyvea.co.ke/best-cctv-for-clinic-hospital-kenya) ## Buying for a business? Send us your list. We'll quote, deliver across Kenya and set everything up. Chat with us — 30 min response --- **Qyvea Limited** · Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya (delivery only, no walk-in pickup) · serving all 47 counties Phone/WhatsApp: [+254 113 301 244](https://wa.me/254113301244) · Email: info@qyvea.co.ke · Shop: [qyvea.co.ke/products](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) · Facts: [qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts](https://qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts)