Freelance photographers and filmmakers operating within Nairobi County are currently in a jolly mood after Governor Johnson Sakaja waived the permit fees.
The waiver was confirmed in a memo dated September 23 from Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning, Lawrence Wambua, to his Trade and Industrialisation counterpart.
“In exercise of the power given under the PFM Act 2012, Section 159 and the Nairobi City Council Tax Waivers Administration Act, 2013 Section 5 (2)(C), approval is hereby given that Freelance photographers and Freelance filmmakers are given waiver/exemption from payment of Single Business Permit as charged under the Nairobi City County Trade Licensing Act, 2019,” the memo read in part.
Artists, photographers and content creators have long complained about harassment by county officials and the requirement to pay hefty permit fees of over Ksh5,000 to shoot in the city.
This follows a pronouncement by Governor Johnson Sakaja last week that he will direct the amendment of “archaic” laws which he said have inhibited photography, videography, film and the broader creative industry in Nairobi.
“When we say we want to be pro-business it is not just passive to stop harassment of traders but we want to be proactive to facilitate and promote. There are many archaic laws including those that hamper creativity and innovation and we are going to weed those out,” he said on Thursday.
Sakaja added: “Businesspeople should spend more time doing business and not chasing compliance issues,” he added.
Content created and supplied by: Kasiliraphael (via Opera News )
COMMENTS