Sakaja clarifies film charges, says Finance Act does not target ordinary content creators

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Sakaja clarifies film charges, says Finance Act does not target ordinary content creators

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Sakaja said the charges under the Act are aimed primarily at professional and commercial film productions that require extensive use of public spaces and county infrastructure.

“These charges were never intended to target ordinary content creators, influencers or young people creating digital content. Our intention is to regulate professional and commercial film productions that require significant use of public spaces and infrastructure,” Sakaja said.

The clarification follows concerns and misinformation surrounding new fees listed under the Act’s Tourism Levy and Entertainment Tax schedule, which introduces charges for various forms of film, media and content production.

Sakaja said there is a distinction between an individual creating routine social media content and a large-scale commercial production involving crews, specialised equipment, vehicles and the occupation or controlled use of public spaces.

“There is a clear difference between a content creator shooting a video for social media and a large film production arriving with a crew, equipment, vehicles and requiring the temporary closure or controlled use of a road. That is who we are targeting,” he said.

Under the Finance Act, local commercial filming attracts a charge of Ksh.8,000 per shoot, while external commercial filming is charged Ksh.50,000. Religious or private filming attracts a Ksh.8,000 fee, while music video production is charged Ksh.10,000.

The Act also provides for an annual Ksh.40,000 charge for content creation studios.

Sakaja said the county recognises the creative sector as an important source of livelihoods, particularly for young people, and as a key platform for promoting Nairobi to local and international audiences.

“Since we came into office, we have deliberately created space for filmmakers and content creators to work freely in Nairobi because we recognise the creative sector as both a source of livelihoods and a powerful way of marketing our city to the world. We will not introduce measures that stifle that creativity,” he said.

The Governor said his administration has sought to create an enabling environment for filmmakers and digital creators while ensuring that large-scale productions using public infrastructure are conducted in an organised and responsible manner.

He said the county government remains committed to supporting Nairobi’s creative economy while establishing a framework for commercial productions that make substantial use of public spaces and county facilities.

Sakaja reiterated that the objective of the charges is not to restrict or burden ordinary content creators, but to distinguish between everyday digital content creation and professional productions that require significant use of public infrastructure.

The county government is expected to provide further clarity on how the provisions will be applied to different categories of filmmakers, content creators and production companies.

Reporting originally appeared via Citizen Digital. Read the full source for additional context.