Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has clarified the county government’s position on new charges targeting filmmakers, content creators and other players in the creative industry under the Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2026.
The new fees have triggered debate among content creators and digital entertainment stakeholders, with concerns over the potential impact on the cost of producing and monetising content in the capital.
The charges, contained in the 2026 Finance Act highlighted on Monday, apply to various filming and digital entertainment activities, including commercial productions, content creation studios, streaming platforms and monetised events.
Sakaja has sought to address the concerns, maintaining that the charges were not intended to target ordinary digital creators.
“These charges were never intended to target ordinary content creators, influencers or young people creating digital content. We intend to regulate professional and commercial film productions that require significant use of public spaces and infrastructure,” Sakaja said.
Under the new Act, local producers will be charged Ksh8,000 for each commercial filming session, while external commercial productions will pay Ksh50,000 per shoot. Religious and private filming will attract a Ksh8,000 fee, while music-video production will cost Ksh10,000.
Content creation studios will also be subject to an annual Ksh40,000 charge. Local streaming platforms will pay Ksh100,000 annually, while digital content platforms will be charged Ksh80,000 per year. Influencers organising monetised events will pay Ksh10,000 for each event.
Sakaja explained that the county differentiates between individuals producing routine social media content and large-scale commercial productions that deploy crews, specialised equipment and vehicles while occupying public spaces.
“There is a clear difference between a content creator shooting a video for social media and a large film production arriving with a crew, equipment, vehicles and requiring the temporary closure or controlled use of a road. That is who we are targeting,” he said.
The governor noted that his administration recognises the creative sector as a major source of livelihoods, particularly for young people, while also serving as a platform for promoting Nairobi to both local and international audiences.
The Finance Act further imposes annual charges of Ksh200,000 on television stations and Ksh150,000 on radio stations. Cinemas and theatres will pay Ksh100,000 annually for each screen, while online entertainment events will attract a Ksh15,000 fee.
Sakaja maintained that the county government would continue supporting Nairobi’s creative economy while putting in place regulations for large commercial productions that make extensive use of public spaces and county facilities.
