Vindee calls out Sakaja over taxes on content creators after his clarification
By Katemarthason Okudo, August 25, 2026Streamer and content creator Vindee has questioned Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s clarification on filming charges affecting content creators under the Nairobi County Finance Act, 2026.
In a post shared on Instagram on Monday, August 24, Vindee questioned how the county could introduce charges on people who, according to him, are already struggling to build careers in the creative industry.
He also raised concerns about the costs content creators already meet when producing and sharing their work online. “How can you tax people you don’t empower?” Vindee asked, while pointing to the cost of phones, streaming, internet data and other tools needed to create content.
Sakaja explains filming charges
Vindee’s remarks came after Sakaja addressed concerns surrounding filming fees contained in the Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2026. The governor said the charges were not introduced to target ordinary content creators, influencers or young people making routine social media content.
Instead, he explained that the fees were mainly aimed at professional and commercial productions that use public spaces and county facilities on a larger scale.
“These charges were never intended to target ordinary content creators, influencers or young people creating digital content. We intend to regulate professional and commercial film productions that require significant use of public spaces and infrastructure,” Sakaja said.
The clarification followed concerns over fees listed under the Act’s Tourism Levy and Entertainment Tax schedule, which includes different forms of filming, media and content production.
Charges under the new Act
According to the Finance Act, local commercial filming attracts a fee of Ksh.8,000 per shoot, while external commercial filming is charged Ksh.50,000. Religious or private filming attracts a Ksh.8,000 fee, while music video production is charged Ksh.10,000.
The Act also introduces an annual Ksh.40,000 fee for content creation studios.
Sakaja said the county makes a distinction between an individual recording routine social media content and a large commercial production involving crews, specialised equipment, vehicles and controlled use of public spaces.
Vindee raises concern over young creators
For Vindee, however, the discussion goes beyond how the charges are defined. He questioned whether young creators have enough support to meet the costs associated with producing content.
He pointed out that creators already spend money on devices, internet access and other resources before their work reaches an audience.
“Mtu hata hajui simu ya kufanya, streaming ama content yenye ilitaxiwa, ukibuy ulipata aje?” he asked.
Sakaja maintained that the creative sector remains important to Nairobi, particularly because it provides livelihoods for young people and helps promote the city to local and international audiences.