From harassment to business: What official badges could mean for Nairobi photographers

Nairobi’s street photographers may soon have more than cameras and editing skills to identify them as they work across the city. The Nairobi County Government has announced plans to introduce official identification badges for street photographers, following concerns about harassment, disruptions and demands for unofficial payments.

Governor Johnson Sakaja announced the proposed registration system on September 16, 2026, during an engagement with photographers and other creatives. The county plans to establish a database of photographers, improve communication with City Hall and provide recognised creatives with a formal identity.

For photographers who have turned Nairobi’s busy streets into open-air studios, the move could change how they work, interact with authorities and build their businesses. However, the practical impact will depend on how the registration system is implemented.

Here are five things the proposed badges could mean for Nairobi’s street photographers.

Better protection against harassment

For some street photographers, earning a living in Nairobi has involved more than finding customers and taking good pictures. They have also reported harassment and demands for unofficial payments while working in public spaces.

An official badge could provide a way to identify photographers recognised by the county. This may make it easier for creatives to explain their work when questioned by authorities.

During the engagement, Sakaja assured photographers that they should not face harassment while carrying out legitimate work. However, the badge’s actual protective value will depend on how county officers recognise and respect it.

A photographer should not have to spend more time defending the camera than using it. Clear rules and accessible complaint channels will be important if the system is to address the concerns raised by creatives.

A more organised photography industry

Nairobi’s street photography sector includes young people who have turned photography into a source of income. Photographers operate in areas such as Tom Mboya Street, Moi Avenue, Muindi Mbingu Street and the surroundings of the Archives.

The proposed database could help City Hall understand how many photographers are working in the city and create a direct communication channel with them.

This could make it easier to share information about county policies, public-space arrangements and opportunities available to creatives. Photographers may also find it easier to raise concerns collectively rather than approaching authorities individually.

Sakaja has encouraged creatives to form cooperatives and SACCOs, which could support savings, financial planning and collaboration within the sector.

Clarifying county fees and registration requirements

The proposed badges come amid discussions about charges affecting photography and videography activities in Nairobi.

Sakaja clarified that ordinary street photographers operating under the county’s free photography arrangement would not be required to pay county fees. He said the charges covered commercial heavy photography and larger productions.

This distinction matters to photographers who depend on affordable services and small daily earnings. A registration system that introduces unclear costs could create additional pressure for people already working with limited resources.

Photographers should therefore pay attention to official announcements explaining registration requirements, possible charges and the documents needed to obtain a badge. Registration details and timelines had not yet been fully released in the reports available on September 17, 2026.

More opportunities to market their work

A photography business depends on more than taking a good picture. Customers need to find you, view your work and trust that you can deliver.

The county is also preparing to expand free Wi-Fi in selected public spaces. Sakaja said improved internet access would help photographers and other creatives market their work and reach wider audiences.

For a street photographer, faster internet could make it easier to share edited photographs, respond to customers and maintain an active social media portfolio.

The badge itself could also help create a clearer professional identity when dealing with customers, although it would not replace the need for good photography, reliable service and respectful communication.

Greater responsibility for photographers

The proposed registration system is not only about recognising photographers. Sakaja has also encouraged them to help document problems affecting Nairobi, including littering, illegal dumping, vandalism and misconduct involving matatus and boda bodas.

He urged photographers to report such incidents through appropriate channels while respecting people’s privacy and safety.

This could create a closer relationship between photographers and county authorities, but it also raises the importance of clear boundaries. Photographers should understand what they are expected to document, how information should be submitted and how personal privacy will be protected.

A camera can capture a beautiful city scene, but it can also record sensitive moments. Professional judgment matters, whether a photographer is taking a portrait for a customer or documenting a public problem.

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