Moses Migwi was among the few Kenyans who mastered professional photography during the colonial period, a time when the skill was largely dominated by white photographers.
The veteran photographer recalled that in Nairobi, he and another Kenyan known as Akwera were the only two locals who had mastered the use of professional cameras at the time.
Migwi developed a passion for photography and treasured his first camera, a Kodak Box model, which he acquired during the 1950s.
His skills eventually gave him access to prominent personalities, including Kenya's first President, Jomo Kenyatta. One of his memorable assignments involved an event in Nairobi where Kenyatta hosted former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie.
Migwi also remembered covering the funeral service of former United States President John F. Kennedy.
His career saw him work as a senior photographer at the East African Standard before being recruited by the Daily Nation.
His photographs regularly appeared on prominent newspaper pages, and some earned him awards for being the best photographs of the week.
After decades behind the camera, Migwi retired in 1989, having spent much of his working life documenting important personalities and events.
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/41994-meet-jomo-kenyattas-first-black-photographer-video

Leave a Reply