Photojournalism in Kenya is growing as the nation’s human capital is surging. More than 400 professional photojournalists are now working in the country, with many being employed by mainstream media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, news websites, and television stations.
Photojournalism began developing in Kenya during the mid-1960s, just as it was beginning to do so worldwide through events such as the Mau Mau Uprising that saw hundreds of photographers flocking to the African country. Today there are over 400 Kenyan Photojournalists who work across different sectors of media reporting on various issues within their communities ranging from politics to business and everything in between (including sports). The growth has been encouraged by improved education standards among young people interested in taking up photojournalism as a career path; and the growth of photography and electronic media in general.
Professional photojournalists are operating in Kenya work with various news agencies such as Reuters, AFP; Associated Press; PRINTF/IPC African Pictures, and CEPIC Photo Agency, to name a few. Newspapers and magazines hire photographers on contract, while television stations bank full-time employees to help unearth interesting stories every day. Themes vary from politics, crime to human interest pieces or sports events.
Photojournalism in Kenya has come a long way over the last 50 years. It will continue to grow at an unprecedented pace, considering how information sharing has evolved because of technology such as social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, making it easier for people across borders to exchange information. The technology has not only helped local publishers share their stories on a larger scale, but it has also enabled photojournalists to upload photos and videos of news events as they happen to live.
Some of Kenya’s most well-known and celebrated photojournalists include Patrick Muchiri (Internews), Dennis Dieringer (UNEP/ UNDP), Andrew Cawein (CPJ), and David Mutua (Daily Nation). In addition, Kenyans feature prominently on the prestigious international World Press Photo Awards list.
Photojournalism in Kenya has also boosted multimedia training courses run by the Internews Network out of Nairobi. The courses have trained students and professionals to use various tools such as Facebook Live for live-streaming video, among other digital skills.
Photography in Kenya is a diverse profession involving a variety of career opportunities which entail taking pictures or videos for clients with cameras or smartphones; photojournalism; camera operation; drawing up layouts for publications and advertising agencies; exhibition management, among others. In 2016, photography was ranked as one of the top five most desirable professions in terms of salary expectations by Kenyan youth aged between 18 and 23.
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