Through the lens: Photographers showcase life in Kibra through art exhibition

Three Nairobi-based photographers have come together to showcase life in Kibra, Nairobi's biggest urban informal settlement.

With their motive being to reshape the narrative about Kibra, the photographers wanted people to see it through a new lens; the people, cultures, experiences, and food.

Lucas Oyugi, Ramadhan Otieno and Samson Otieno are the faces behind the exhibition that has attracted hundreds of Nairobi residents.

"We want to showcase the thrills and life in Kibra. Not the stereotypes of violence and poverty that have been associated with the slum," said Lucas.

Photographer Lucas Otieno at the exhibition at the Kibera town centre. He and two other photographers from the slum have organised a photo exhibition to showcase life in the slum. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

Their theme, "People and Experiences" is poised to show what defines Kibra. According to the trio, the people create and define the spaces—not the other way around.

The three told The Eastleigh Voice that they wanted to be a part of changing and influencing the narrative.

"With recent happenings in Kenya, Kibra has attracted negativity and they just wanted to show people who we are. You can not judge a people without knowing them and this was our commitment of showing everyone that we aren't the problem. We had one goal of just representing Kibra in a new light," said Ramadhan.

Visitors sample pictures at the art exhibition in Kibra, Nairobi. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

Samson said they acknowledge that the slum is their homeland. "Kibra is our birthplace. Despite challenges, we wanted to show people that we can still thrive amidst trials and tribulations."

Closer to their hearts

The photographs say that Kibra is closer to their hearts, a reason they wanted to bring the exhibition back to where all of their careers started.

"My passion stems from the fact that I always had a knackered of bringing aching to bring about social change, I wanted to do something that transcends borders, shedding light on untold stories and bringing attention to pressing global and local issues," notes Lucas.

Visitors sample pictures at the art exhibition in Kibra, Nairobi. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

The trio are documentary photographers and photojournalists. "I just like working with people and telling their stories," said Lucas.

The photographers said their exhibition was fully self-sponsored. They shared the costs of the printing of materials and Kibera Town Centre gave them a space to utilise. "We used the power of social media to bring people together and it worked. We hope that in future we can have more collaborations that would be deemed sponsor worthy."

All of them started photography just after COVID. According to them, their vision is to have a Photo festival that celebrates photography and art about Nairobi and Kenya.

They are now seeking to showcase other settlements in Nairobi such as Kawangware, Korogocho, Mathare, Mukuru and the rest.

Visitors sample pictures at the art exhibition in Kibra, Nairobi. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

"Then, after the mini-exhibitions, we would want to organise a major 'Nairobi Unseen' with all the photos from the various places in the city that define us as Nairobians," added Lucas. The exhibition started on Saturday.

Kibra is one of the 290 constituencies in Kenya and one of the 17 constituencies in Nairobi County. The constituency is situated 5 kilometres from Nairobi Central Business District. The constituency covers an area of about 12.10 square kilometres, with five wards Makina, Lainisaba, Lindi, Woodley and Sarangombe.

It is home to Kenya’s largest slum characterised by high poverty levels.