Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has clarified the new filming charges introduced under the Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2026, following concerns from content creators and influencers.
Sakaja said the fees are not intended to affect individuals producing ordinary social media content, but are instead aimed at professional and commercial film productions that make extensive use of public spaces and county infrastructure.
He explained that large-scale productions often involve sizeable crews, specialised equipment, vehicles and prolonged use of public facilities, sometimes requiring roads to be temporarily closed or access controlled.
According to the governor, there is a distinction between an individual recording a social media video and a commercial film production that occupies public space and potentially disrupts normal operations.
Under the new Finance Act, local commercial filming will cost Ksh8,000 per shoot, while foreign commercial productions will be charged Ksh50,000. Religious and private filming will attract a Ksh8,000 fee, music video productions will cost Ksh10,000, while content creation studios will pay an annual charge of Ksh40,000.
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Sakaja said the county remains supportive of Nairobi’s creative industry, which he described as an important source of employment and a tool for promoting the city internationally.
He maintained that the county would not introduce regulations intended to suppress creativity or make it difficult for filmmakers and content creators to operate in Nairobi.
KeNHA Begins Drainage Works Ahead of Expected El Niño Rains
Meanwhile, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has started drainage improvement works along the James Gichuru Road Junction to address stormwater challenges ahead of the expected El Niño rains.
The agency said the works are focused on improving drainage along the James Gichuru Road Junction-JKIA A8/B10 Corridor.
The project follows discussions between KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli and National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge on connecting the Parliament Building’s stormwater drainage system to the highway drainage network.
KeNHA said the drainage improvements are being implemented alongside ongoing road capacity enhancement, landscaping and beautification works along the corridor.
The agency said the project is expected to improve stormwater management, protect road infrastructure and enhance the safety and efficiency of transport along the route.
