Nairobi Photo Journal: Sarah Waiswa

A portrait of Nairobi by Sarah Waiswa.

An award-winning Ugandan-born, Kenya-based documentary and portrait photographer, Waiswa’s work explores social issues and the evolving New African Identity through a contemporary, non-traditional lens. With a background in sociology and psychology, she brings a deep human sensitivity to her images, focusing on how people navigate identity, belonging, and daily life across the continent.

Her work has been exhibited internationally—including most recently in the Africa Fashion exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum—and featured in publications such as The Washington Post, Bloomberg, and The New York Times. She has also collaborated with global brands such as Christian Dior and Chloé.

In 2021, Waiswa founded African Women in Photography, a non-profit organization dedicated to elevating and celebrating women and non-binary photographers from Africa. Her growing curatorial practice began in 2023 with her debut exhibition Sisi Ni Hao at the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi, showcasing the work of twelve East African women and non-binary photographers.