Nairobi Street Photographers to Get Official Badges Under Sakaja Plan

The Nairobi City County Government has announced plans to roll out a specialized registration and identification system for street content creators and photographers operating across the capital.

Governor Johnson Sakaja unveiled the proposed framework during a stakeholder engagement forum with local street photographers. Under the new initiative, legitimate creators will register with the county administration to receive official badges, establishing recognized legal status while working within the Central Business District (CBD) and surrounding urban zones.

City Hall intends to build a comprehensive digital database of active photographers to streamline communication, improve public order, and shield creatives from harassment or extortion by unauthorized individuals and enforcement officers.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

Governor Sakaja highlighted the city’s commitment to supporting the youth-dominated creative economy, stating that formal registration enables the county to deliver structured municipal support, foster safer working conditions, and integrate local content creators into Nairobi’s broader economic and tourism vision.

The registration framework organizes the rapidly expanding sector while creating a direct line of communication between creators and county authorities.

“The County will introduce a formal registration and identification system for street photographers, including badges, to distinguish recognized creatives operating in the city,” Sakaja stated.

He added that the program helps the county identify and support photographers while granting them a formal professional identity as they work across Nairobi.

Clarification on Fees and Support

The move directly addresses ongoing concerns raised by street photographers regarding harassment, operational disruptions, and demands for illegal payments while taking photos in public spaces.

Responding to worries over proposed commercial photography fees, Sakaja clarified that the county’s free street photography policy remains active. Ordinary photographers operating in the CBD do not face municipal charges. The fee structure applies exclusively to large-scale commercial film productions and heavy photography operations.

City Hall plans to release detailed operational timelines and registration protocols for creators in the coming weeks. Additionally, the county government is exploring complementary support measures, including the rollout of free Wi-Fi in selected public spaces.

The post Nairobi Street Photographers to Get Official Badges Under Sakaja Plan appeared first on Nairobi Wire.