NAIROBI: The Nairobi City County Government is set to roll out an official registration and identification framework for street content creators and photographers operating within the capital.
Unveiled by Governor Johnson Sakaja during a stakeholder engagement forum, the initiative aims to issue official badges to distinguish recognized creatives from unregistered operators in public spaces.
Under the new system, legitimate creators will register with the county administration to obtain legal recognition while working in the Central Business District (CBD) and surrounding urban zones.
City Hall plans to build a comprehensive digital database of active photographers to streamline communication, enhance public order, and shield creatives from harassment or extortion by rogue enforcement officers and unauthorized individuals.
Governor Sakaja highlighted the city’s intent to support the youth-dominated creative economy, noting that formalizing the sector allows the county to offer structured municipal assistance and integrate local content creators into Nairobi’s broader economic and tourism vision.
He also reassured photographers regarding financial concerns, clarifying that the county’s free photography policy for ordinary street creatives remains fully intact and that regular operators within the CBD will not face commercial filming charges.
Street photography has become a primary avenue for youth self-employment in Nairobi, particularly along major thoroughfares such as Tom Mboya Street, Moi Avenue, Muindi Mbingu Street, and around the National Archives.
Many college and university graduates have turned these busy sidewalks into open-air studios, transforming a personal hobby into a reliable source of income.
Further operational timelines and registration guidelines from City Hall are expected in the coming weeks.
