Nairobi County is planning to introduce a new registration and identification system for street photographers operating across the capital.
The initiative was announced by Governor Johnson Sakaja during an engagement with street photographers, with the county planning to issue official badges to recognised creatives.
According to the county, the system will help identify photographers working in Nairobi while creating a direct channel through which the administration can engage and support them.
The proposed registration system comes after photographers raised concerns about harassment, disruption of their work and alleged demands for unofficial payments while operating in different parts of the city.
Nairobi Plans Official Badges for Photographers
Under the proposed system, street photographers who register with the county will receive identification badges.
The badges are expected to help distinguish recognised photographers from people operating without registration.
The county also plans to create a database of photographers working in the Central Business District and other parts of Nairobi.
The database is intended to make it easier for City Hall to communicate with photographers and understand the needs of creatives working in the streets.
Sakaja said the initiative is part of efforts to organise the growing creative sector while providing support to young people who depend on photography as a source of income.
Photographers Raise Harassment Concerns
The new plan follows concerns raised by street photographers about their experiences while working in Nairobi.
Some photographers have reported alleged harassment and demands for unofficial payments while trying to carry out their businesses.
The proposed identification system is therefore expected to provide recognised photographers with a clearer identity when operating in public spaces.
The county says formal registration can also improve communication between creatives and county officials and help address disputes that arise during their work.
Street photography has become an important source of income for many young people in Nairobi.
Photographers can often be seen working around busy areas of the CBD, offering customers professional photographs using cameras and other equipment.
Nairobi Street Photography Creates Jobs for Young People
For many young creatives, photography has developed from a hobby into a source of livelihood.
A recent Citizen Digital report highlighted the experiences of street photographers in Nairobi, including young people who turned to photography after struggling to find formal employment.
The sector has also attracted people with different educational and professional backgrounds who have found opportunities through creative work.
The proposed registration system could therefore give the county a better understanding of the size and needs of the street photography community.
It could also allow City Hall to communicate directly with photographers when introducing new initiatives, events or opportunities.
Sakaja Clarifies Photography Charges
The announcement comes after confusion over photography and filming charges contained in Nairobi County’s Finance Act.
Sakaja has previously clarified that ordinary content creators and freelance creatives should not be targeted by charges intended for large commercial productions.
In August, he said the county fees were aimed at professional and commercial film productions that use extensive public spaces, crews, specialised equipment and other county infrastructure.
The county has also maintained a waiver for freelance photographers and filmmakers. In 2022, Sakaja’s administration announced an exemption from the Single Business Permit for freelance photographers and filmmakers operating in Nairobi.
The latest announcement is therefore being presented as an identification and support system rather than a new charge on ordinary street photographers.
Nairobi Plans Free Wi-Fi for Creatives
The county is also exploring additional ways to support photographers and other creatives.
One of the plans is the introduction of free Wi-Fi in selected public areas.
The initiative could help photographers and other digital creatives upload, share and market their work while operating in the city.
For photographers who rely heavily on social media to attract customers, access to reliable internet could also make it easier to showcase their portfolios and communicate with potential clients.
The county has said the wider goal is to strengthen Nairobi’s creative economy and create an environment where young creatives can earn a living from their skills.
What the New Registration System Means
The proposed system could give recognised street photographers a formal identity when working in Nairobi.
It could also help the county establish how many photographers are operating in the city and where they work.
However, details such as the registration process, requirements, rollout date and how the badges will be issued have not yet been fully announced.
The county is expected to provide further information on the implementation of the programme.
For now, the announcement represents another step in Nairobi’s efforts to engage with the creative sector.
With street photography providing an income for many young people, the county says better identification, communication and support can help create a more organised environment for creatives working across the capital.
