Kenyan journalist Polly Irungu ends her tenure as official White House photographer
Irungu joined the Vice-President’s team in 2022, tasked with documenting key moments of the Biden-Harris administration and Kamala Harris’s campaign.
Kenyan-born journalist Polly Irungu has officially announced her departure as the White House photo editor, marking the end of her tenure in a historic role she held for nearly three years.
Ms Irungu, who became the first-ever photo editor in the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris, made the announcement on Monday through her X account (formerly Twitter).
More To Read
“Today is my last day at the White House. I’m beyond grateful for the experience of a lifetime to help tell the visual story of the Biden-Harris administration,” she wrote.
In the United States, it's a long-standing tradition for political appointees to resign when their boss, typically the President and Vice President, leave office. This practice is rooted in the concept of accountability and the understanding that political appointees serve at the pleasure of their boss.
Her announcement came just hours before the inauguration of the newly elected President Donald Trump.
She expressed gratitude to Lawrence Jackson, Vice President Harris’s Director of Photography, saying, “It’s been an honour to see through thousands of photos the impact that Vice President Kamala Harris has had on our country,” she said.
“Serving as the photo editor for VP Harris has been a humbling and rewarding experience. I owe so much to Lawrence Jackson, the VP’s Director of Photography, for trusting me.”
Reflecting on her journey, Irungu said her passion for visual storytelling started in her school days, when she worked at McDonald’s to save for her first camera.
“When I developed a love for visual storytelling and worked at McDonald’s in school to save up for my first camera, I never thought my passion would take me to The White House. After nearly three years, today was my last day. Thank you, Mr. President, Adam, and Lawrence,” she said.
Irungu joined the vice president’s team in 2022, tasked with documenting key moments of the Biden-Harris administration and Kamala Harris’s campaign.
Born in Nairobi, she moved to the United States at the age of four, growing up in Kansas and Oregon before living in several states, including Washington, DC, Arkansas, and New York.
A trailblazer in the photography world, Irungu is the founder of Black Women Photographers, a global network advocating for the recognition and employment of over 1,000 Black female photographers.
Her work has been featured in prominent outlets, including The New York Times, BBC News, The Washington Post, and CNN.
Her career is marked by numerous achievements. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s journalism programme, she has previously worked as a digital editor at New York Public Radio and participated in Twitter and LinkedIn’s creator programmes.
She has also been a teacher at the International Center of Photography and was a 2022 IWMF Gwen Ifill Fellow, a programme aimed at addressing diversity gaps in newsroom leadership.
Beyond her work as a photographer, Irungu is an advocate, speaker, and educator, inspiring upcoming storytellers and championing representation in media. She has spoken at various universities and conferences, highlighting the power of visual storytelling and the importance of inclusivity in the industry.
Through her work and advocacy, she remains dedicated to creating a fairer world where diverse voices are amplified and celebrated.
Top Stories Today
