Three brands dominate the Kenyan CCTV market: Hikvision, Dahua and Uniview. All three are manufactured in China and all three offer excellent image quality at the right price point. But they are not equal — especially when it comes to local support, spare parts in Nairobi and long-term value.
Image Quality
All three brands now offer 4K (8MP) cameras at competitive price points. In our installations across Nairobi, Hikvision’s ColorVu technology consistently produces the best full-colour night vision — even on unlit roads in Karen and Ruiru. Dahua’s Full-colour cameras are a close second. Uniview’s standard IR night vision is adequate for well-lit properties but struggles on dark perimeters.
Night Vision Performance
- Hikvision ColorVu: Full-colour 24/7, no IR glow, excellent in low light
- Dahua Full-colour: Comparable to ColorVu, slightly warmer colour tone
- Uniview: Standard IR — black and white at night, acceptable for most residential use
Local Warranty & Support in Kenya
This is where the difference becomes significant. Hikvision has the strongest distributor network in Kenya — spare parts, replacement units and technical support are available within 24–48 hours in Nairobi. Dahua has improved significantly since 2022 and most parts are available within a week. Uniview parts can take 2–4 weeks to source, which is a problem for business clients who cannot afford downtime.
Price Range (Nairobi Market, 2025)
4-camera HD system:
- Hikvision: KES 35,000 installed
- Dahua: KES 32,000 installed
- Uniview: KES 28,000 installed
Verdict by Use Case
Residential home, estates, offices: Hikvision — best local support and ColorVu night vision justify the small price premium.
Budget-conscious rental property: Dahua — very close to Hikvision in quality at a lower price.
Absolute budget build: Uniview — acceptable for well-lit properties where parts availability is less critical.
At Nairobi CCTV Solutions, we install all three brands and will recommend the right one for your property type and budget. Get a free quote and we’ll advise you honestly.