Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has moved to address concerns raised by content creators following the introduction of new charges under the Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2026.
In a statement on Monday, August 24, he said the fees are not aimed at ordinary digital creators, influencers or young people producing social media content.
"These charges were never intended to target ordinary content creators, influencers or young people creating digital content. Our intention is to regulate professional and commercial film productions that require significant use of public spaces and infrastructure," he said.
According to Sakaja, the fees are designed to apply to organised commercial productions rather than individuals creating everyday online content.
He noted that large-scale film projects often require special arrangements, including the use of public roads, equipment and other county facilities.
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"There is a clear difference between a content creator shooting a video for social media and a large film production arriving with a crew, equipment, vehicles and requiring the temporary closure or controlled use of a road. That is who we are targetting," he noted.
Sakaja explained that the county intends to regulate professional productions involving extensive crews, specialised machinery and prolonged occupation of public spaces, particularly where filming activities may disrupt normal operations or require temporary restrictions.
He maintained that such projects differ significantly from ordinary content creation carried out by individuals for social media platforms.
Under the Finance Act, local commercial filming will attract a fee of Ksh8,000 per shoot, while external commercial filming will cost Ksh50,000.
Religious or private filming will also be charged Ksh8,000, music video productions Ksh10,000, and content creation studios will pay an annual fee of Ksh40,000.
Sakaja reiterated that Nairobi County recognises the creative industry as a major source of employment and an important avenue for promoting the city to audiences across the world.
"Since we came into office, we have deliberately created space for filmmakers and content creators to work freely in Nairobi because we recognise the creative sector as both a source of livelihoods and a powerful way of marketing our city to the world. We will not introduce measures that stifle that creativity," he explained.
Elsewhere, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has commenced drainage improvement works as part of preparations for the expected El Niño rains.
In a statement on Thursday, August 20, the agency said the works are targeting stormwater management challenges and have begun along the James Gichuru Road Junction.
"Such improvements have begun in earnest along the James Gichuru Road Junction - JKIA A8/B10 Corridor to address stormwater management challenges affecting the highway drainage system," the statement read.
According to KeNHA, the initiative follows discussions between KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, concerning the connection of stormwater drainage from the Parliament Building to the highway drainage system.
"The initiative follows discussions between KeNHA Director General Eng. Luka Kimeli and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, regarding the connection of stormwater drainage from the Parliament Building to the highway system," the statement added.
KeNHA said the drainage works form part of a wider capacity enhancement, landscaping and beautification project being undertaken along the corridor.
"The works, being undertaken as part of the ongoing capacity enhancement, landscaping, and beautification project, will improve stormwater management, protect road infrastructure, and support safe, efficient, and sustainable road transport," the statement concluded.
