Nairobi has introduced new charges targeting commercial filming and digital entertainment businesses, raising concerns among filmmakers, influencers and content creators. But Governor Johnson Sakaja says ordinary social media users should not panic, arguing that the new fees are aimed at larger commercial productions rather than young people simply creating content for their platforms.
Highlights
- Nairobi’s 2026 Finance Act introduces new charges for commercial filming and digital entertainment.
- Local commercial filming will cost Sh8,000 per shooting session.
- Music-video production attracts a Sh10,000 fee.
- Content-creation studios face an annual charge of Sh40,000.
- Sakaja says ordinary TikTokers and social media creators are not the target.
Main Story
Nairobi Introduces New Content Charges
Nairobi’s creative industry is facing a new financial reality following the introduction of charges covering commercial filming, music videos, content studios and various digital entertainment activities.
The fees are contained in the Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2026, and have raised questions among creators about what the changes could mean for an industry already dealing with production costs and intense competition.
However, Governor Johnson Sakaja has moved to clarify who the county intends to charge.
What the New Fees Cover
Under the new framework, local commercial filming attracts a Sh8,000 charge for each shooting session, while productions involving external commercial filming are charged Sh50,000 per shoot.
Music-video production has been assigned a Sh10,000 fee.
Businesses operating content-creation studios will also be required to pay an annual Sh40,000 charge.
The regulations extend beyond filming to other parts of the digital entertainment economy.
Monetised influencer events will attract Sh10,000 per event, while domestic streaming platforms face an annual charge of Sh100,000.
Digital content platforms are listed at Sh80,000 annually.
Traditional broadcasters will pay even higher annual fees, with television stations charged Sh200,000 and radio stations Sh150,000.
Small Creators Raise Concerns
For established production companies, such charges could potentially be incorporated into project budgets.
The situation could be different for independent filmmakers and smaller production teams that operate on tighter margins.
A creator producing several commercial projects in a month could see filming-related fees accumulate quickly, potentially increasing the overall cost of doing business.
This has raised concerns about whether the new charges could discourage emerging creators or make Nairobi a more expensive location for small-scale productions.
Sakaja Draws a Distinction
Sakaja has sought to reassure ordinary social media creators that the county is not looking to charge them simply for making videos.
According to the governor, there is a difference between someone recording a normal TikTok or social media video and a commercial production that arrives with a sizeable crew and specialised equipment.
A large production may involve multiple vehicles, professional equipment and numerous personnel using or occupying public spaces.
That distinction, Sakaja argues, is central to understanding the intention behind the new charges.
Implementation Will Be Key
The biggest question now may be how county officials interpret and enforce the new framework.
Many young creators operate somewhere between personal content and commercial work. A creator may shoot a video independently but later earn money through advertising, brand partnerships or platform monetisation.
Clear guidelines will therefore be important to prevent confusion over who qualifies as a commercial producer and who falls under ordinary social media content creation.
For Nairobi’s growing creative economy, the balance will be between regulating commercial activity and ensuring that new costs do not discourage the young creators helping drive the city’s digital culture.
For Nairobi’s creators, the real test will be whether the new rules can raise county revenue without putting the next generation of digital talent out of reach.
