Nairobi County is set to introduce a registration system for photographers, with recognised street creatives issued identification badges to distinguish them from unregistered operators.The initiative, announced by Governor Johnson Sakaja on September 16 during an engagement with street photographers, is aimed at giving creatives a formal identity while enabling the County Government to identify and support those working across Nairobi.Sakaja said the system would help organise the growing number of photographers while protecting those carrying out legitimate work in 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 stated.“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 forum, with some saying they had previously faced harassment and demands for bribes while working in the city. Sakaja said the initiative builds on the County’s 2022 decision to allow street photographers to operate freely, creating opportunities for young people pursuing photography as a livelihood.Similar identification and licensing requirements apply to photographers in some cities, although the rules vary depending on the type of photography and location.In London, street photography is generally permitted, but some commercial activities and street entertainment in designated areas may require council licences.In India, photographers providing commercial services around major monuments managed by the Archaeological Survey of India may face additional requirements, including identification or approval from relevant authorities.Meanwhile, the Governor clarified that the county's Finance Act does not impose charges on street photographers under the County’s free photography arrangement, with photography provisions covering commercial heavy photography, imposing county charges of up to Ksh50,000.The County is also working on free Wi-Fi in selected areas, a move Sakaja said would help creatives market their work and connect with wider audiences.Further, the devolved unit also wants photographers to help document littering, illegal dumping, vandalism and other violations, including improper conduct by matatus and boda bodas.
This page contains an attributed headline and the preview text supplied through the publisher’s RSS feed. Copyright in the original reporting belongs to Kenyans.co.ke.
