Tom Mboya statue: Photographers make a killing as Nairobians troop to CBD

The number is expected to hit a crescendo this coming weekend – when most city residents will no doubt be stepping out to unwind after a busy week.

Meanwhile, photographers based in the CBD have been busy, snapping pictures and helping interested Kenyans to document this piece of history – Wananchi Reporting has learned.

According to Benjamin Mwanzu, a photographer stationed around the National Archives in the CBD – business is suddenly looking good at the moment.

“People are suddenly beginning to ask for our services since the unveiling was done. Still, the number is not as high as it used to be before smartphones arrived,” said Mwanzu.

"It is our hope that over time the numbers will increase – which means more business for photographers,” added Mwanzu who has been snapping for the last eight years.

The CBD based photographers stationed around the statue charge Sh50 for a digital picture – and Sh100 for hard print copy.

“Most people want both hard copy and digital pictures, done well. That’s the advantage we have as professional photographers,” said another photographer.

“Some people use their smartphones to take selfies or just normal pictures here, others want professional pictures,” he added.

Victor Mareba, a resident of Nairobi’s Pipeline estate is among the first few Kenyans to grab a picture at the foot of the historic statue.

“I took a picture as a memento, something to remember in the future. I hope to show the photo to my children and children’s children someday,” he told Wananchi Reporting.

The Tom Mboya statue was first unveiled in 2011 – and has had to be renovated quite a significant number of times to restore its look.

The statue which is located just outside the Kenya National Archives building – along Moi Avenue  –  had suffered significant degree of violations and vandalism, something that provoked the ire of Kenyans.

The statue now rests on a truncated square pyramid that forms the base of the whole structure. The pile of rocks reminiscent of a cliff that had formed the foot of the statue in its previous life is no more – and so is the water fountain and the flamingo birds.

According to Mwanzu – CCTV cameras have been placed in nearby buildings to monitor those who will attempt to deface the monument.