Sakaja Issues New Directives Affecting Street Photographers

Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has outlined new measures targeting street photographers, urging them to play a greater role in documenting the capital’s development.

Speaking during a meeting with photographers and other creatives on Wednesday, September 16, Sakaja encouraged the photographers to capture the city’s landmarks, businesses and daily activities and use their work to promote Nairobi to audiences in Kenya and abroad.

He also asked them to document cases of littering, illegal dumping, vandalism and other breaches of county regulations and report them through the appropriate channels for action.

Sakaja said photographers could help promote positive images of Nairobi while also highlighting activities that affect the city’s appearance and operations. 

He, however, stressed that their work should be carried out professionally and with respect for members of the public.

"Be our ambassadors of the city. Use photographs to tell the good story and also condemn vices. However, respect people’s privacy and be professional as it should be," he said.

Sakaja further encouraged street photographers to safely capture instances of violations involving public transport operators and other activities that contravene city regulations, including improper conduct by matatus and boda bodas.

He said the information could then be submitted through established channels so that relevant authorities could investigate and take appropriate action.

Sakaja also assured photographers that they should be able to conduct legitimate work without harassment, provided they respected the privacy, safety and personal spaces of Nairobi residents.

He explained that his decision in 2022 to allow street photographers to operate freely in the city was aimed at opening up employment opportunities for young people while supporting creativity and promoting Nairobi as an international destination.

"In 2022, I made a decision to let photographers in town do photography for free, not only to create jobs for our youth, but also to improve creativity and market our city," he added.

As part of the new measures, Sakaja said the County Government would establish a registration and identification framework for street photographers. 

The system will include badges for recognised photographers, allowing the County to identify the creatives operating in Nairobi and provide them with appropriate support.

He also clarified the position of the Finance Act on street photography, saying photographers covered by the County’s free photography arrangement would not be required to pay fees. 

According to Sakaja, the provisions on photography relate to commercial heavy photography.

He further disclosed that the County was preparing to roll out free Wi-Fi in selected parts of Nairobi, saying improved internet access would benefit creatives and other young people who rely on digital platforms to showcase and market their work.

He also encouraged the photographers to consider establishing cooperatives and Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) as a way of improving their financial opportunities and strengthening their livelihoods.

Sakaja directed the County Health Department to assist eligible creatives in registering for the Social Health Authority (SHA), allowing them to access healthcare services at County health facilities.

This comes two weeks after the Nairobi County Government announced a new funding opportunity for young people seeking to implement projects aimed at addressing climate challenges in the city. 

In a statement on Tuesday, September 1, the county government said Nairobi has been selected to participate in the 2026-2027 Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), alongside 299 other cities.

"Nairobi City has been selected among 300 cities participating in the 2026-2027 Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), opening a new opportunity for young people to turn their climate ideas into action," the statement read.

Nairobi's allocation will support several youth-led climate projects through micro-grants, with individual successful projects eligible for funding of between US$1,000 and US$5,000.

"Through the programme, Nairobi is eligible for US$50,000 in grant funding, with at least eight eligible youth-led climate projects set to receive micro-grants ranging from US$1,000 to US$5,000," the statement added.

According to the county government, the opportunity is open to young people aged between 15 and 24 who are members of youth-led organisations and have practical ideas that could help tackle climate challenges within Nairobi.

"If you are aged 15–24 and part of a youth-led organisation with a practical idea that can help address climate challenges in Nairobi, this opportunity is for you," the statement further read.

The public call for applications will open on September 4, 2026, and applicants will have six weeks to submit their proposals before the deadline on October 16, 2026.

The county government said more information detailing the eligibility requirements and application process will be released when the call officially opens.