Freelance filmmakers and photographers operating in Nairobi County can now smile after Governor Johnson Sakaja exempted them from making payments for their business permits.

Nairobi Finance and Economic Planning CEC Lawrence Wambua, in a memo to his Trade and Industrialization associate ordered that filmmakers and photographers receive the waiver.

The permit exemption comes barely a week after Sakaja announced he would push for changes to “archaic” laws that hindered development in the creatives industry in Nairobi.

The memo dated September 23 read: “In exercise of the power given under the PFM Act 2012, Section 159 and the Nairobi City Council Tax Waivers Administration Act, 2013 Section 5 (2)(C), approval is hereby given that Freelance photographers and Freelance filmmakers are given waiver/exemption from payment of Single Business Permit as charged under the Nairobi City County Trade Licensing Act, 2019.”

Sakaja had also noted that eliminating the laws will end the daily harassment of traders and creatives in the county by the dreaded inspectorate officials from City Hall.

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The city county boss said his new administration was focused on promoting business.

“There are many archaic laws including those that hamper creativity and innovation and we are going to weed those out,” said Sakaja.

Photographers and videographers have lamented over their ugly confrontations with City Hall officers, with creatives needed to have numerous costly permits before they can shoot.