Nairobi to Introduce Registration System and Badges for Street Photographers

Nairobi to Introduce Registration System and Badges for Street Photographers

Nairobi County is set to introduce a formal registration and identification system for street photographers as part of efforts to organise the growing creative sector and support photographers working across the capital.

Under the proposed system, recognised street photographers will receive identification badges to distinguish them from unregistered operators.

Governor Johnson Sakaja announced the initiative on Wednesday, September 16, during an engagement with street photographers in Nairobi.

The governor said the registration system would give photographers a formal identity while helping the county identify creatives working in different parts of the city.

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

Sakaja said the initiative would also enable the county government to better support photographers as they pursue their work and earn a living.

“The initiative will enable the County to identify and support photographers while giving them a formal identity as they carry out their work.”

The announcement followed concerns raised by photographers during the engagement. Some participants reportedly told the governor that they had previously experienced harassment and demands for bribes while working in different parts of Nairobi.

The proposed identification badges could provide a way of establishing which photographers are formally recognised by the county when they are operating in public spaces.

The initiative builds on a 2022 decision by the Nairobi County Government to allow street photographers to operate freely. The policy was intended to create opportunities for young people pursuing photography and other creative activities as sources of income.

The new registration system is expected to give the county a clearer understanding of the number of photographers operating within Nairobi while creating a possible channel for communication between the county administration and creatives.

Sakaja also addressed concerns about fees imposed on photographers under the Nairobi County Finance Act.

The governor clarified that the county’s free photography arrangement does not impose charges on ordinary street photographers. However, separate provisions apply to commercial heavy photography and other activities, where county charges can reach KSh50,000 depending on the nature of the work.

The clarification comes amid wider discussions between Nairobi’s creative community and the county government over filming, photography and other commercial activities in public spaces.

The county is also pursuing measures aimed at improving access to digital services for creatives. Sakaja said Nairobi was working on providing free Wi-Fi in selected areas.

The proposed connectivity programme could help photographers and other creatives market their work online, communicate with clients and reach audiences beyond the locations where they operate.

The county government is also seeking greater involvement from photographers in documenting activities affecting the city’s environment and public spaces.

Photographers could help capture incidents involving littering, illegal dumping, vandalism and other violations occurring across Nairobi.

The initiative could also involve documenting improper conduct involving public transport operators, including matatus and boda bodas.

The county’s engagement with street photographers comes as Nairobi’s creative economy continues to provide income opportunities for young people working in photography, videography, content creation and related fields.

Registration would, however, require the county to establish clear criteria for recognition, badge issuance and enforcement to ensure the system is applied consistently.

Further details on the registration process, application requirements, cost, badge design and implementation date had not been provided by the county at the time of the announcement.

The planned system is therefore expected to be followed by further guidance from Nairobi County as officials work with photographers to establish how the new identification framework will operate.

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Nairobi to Introduce Registration System and Badges for Street Photographers