NAIROBI,Kenya, Mar 14 –The Cabinet has mandated all short-stay facilities nationwide to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in their common areas in response to a concerning surge in femicide cases in the country.
The move comes after 2024 witnessed a surge in cases of femicide, especially in Kenya’s Capital, Nairobi with leaders calling for more stringent measures to address the crises.
The cabinet instructed the operators and owners of furnished residential apartments, lodgings, and Airbnb rentals to ensure that the footage is recorded, stored, and can be retrieved if the need arises.
The move is among a raft of measures sanctioned by the Cabinet following a meeting at State House on Wednesday.
Moreover, short-stay facilities must maintain an up-to-date log of all vehicles entering or leaving the premises, including motorcycles and rickshaws.
Additionally, they are mandated to enlist the services of registered private security providers to safeguard the premises.
To further bolster safety measures, Airbnb and rental facilities are directed to maintain a security occurrence log, documenting daily incidents pertinent to the well-being of residents, guests, and service providers.
The directive comes hot on the heels of Airbnb’s announcement that it is introducing a worldwide ban on the use of security cameras inside rental properties.
The changes to the company’s policy will come into effect at the end of next month.
The online rental platform says the move aims to simplify its rules on security cameras and prioritise the privacy of guests.
Airbnb users have previously voiced concerns about the use of indoor surveillance cameras.
“These changes were made in consultation with our guests, hosts and privacy experts, and we’ll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community,” Airbnb’s Head of Community Policy and Partnerships, Juniper Downs said in a statement.
“As the majority of listings on Airbnb do not report having a security camera, this update is expected to impact a smaller subset of listings on the platform,” she added.
Airbnb’s current rules allow the use of security cameras in common areas such as living rooms and hallways, as long as the location of the equipment is made clear on the property’s listing.
The updated policy also bans the use of outdoor cameras that point inside properties. Airbnb does not allow surveillance cameras to be placed in private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms.
