Kibra is home to many – from artisans to accountants to hairdressers and even photographers. Though densely populated, there is community in this part of the capital. There are also stories waiting to be told. In the past, journalists would only come in case of a crisis; politicians would only make their way to vie for votes. And others, well, they’d just be passing by. The stories that inspire within Kibra weren’t being documented.
Biko Macoins has seen Kibra is as a story in itself. Having grown up here, he sees it as his home, and one that cannot be replaced. If anything, he considers himself privileged to have grown up in Kibra. Though in his younger years, like some of us, he dreaded the idea of photos, especially photos of himself. But today, he is the photographer bringing stories of Kibra to Kenya and the world. A man now, there is probably a handful of photos of himself, but he remains known as the person behind the Slum Photography page on Instagram and Facebook.
Before Biko was an award-winning photographer, he was just a boy enjoying the growth of the inter-web platforms. When he met for coffee with a Facebook buddy, he realized that, to people that had never visited Kibra, there was a growing misconception that the slum was dangerous and deadly. His friend truthfully expressed her concern for its living conditions and safety. Listening to this didn’t just break Biko’s heart; it upset him because Kibra was home, and home is where one feels safe.
Months later, still distressed by the conversation, he was unsure of what he could do. His online friends weren’t up for a tour of Kibra, still holding onto their beliefs about the place. It wasn’t until another photographer visited the informal settlement that Biko realized he could tell the world a story of Kibra.
He started by investing in a phone with a camera. A photo here, another there and in due time, a perfect picture. It was this picture that he first took to Instagram in 2015. A photo of a group of boys at play. It was something about their happiness that lifted the honest caption underneath.
It came as a surprise when the picture made rounds, not only locally, but internationally. He took Kibra to the internet, and the internet fell in love with his photos. Biko soon invested in a professional camera with the aim of producing high resolution images.
Upon reflection, he saw the potential his photography had. It could take him places… literally! So he expanded his horizon. After all, Kibra wasn’t the only slum in Kenya.
Unlike most photographers, Biko’s process was different. First, he explored the places he saw as possible shooting locations, then he interacted with the locals of the selected area before finally capturing what he saw as stories. It wasn’t just about the picture, rather about the story shared. It was through his engagement and pictures that followed that Biko formed ‘Piga Picha Mtoi Asome’ – a movement that aimed to support children financially. He successfully ensured 20 students completed their high school education before putting the project on hold to restructure it.
While he continues to take and share pictures, he remains a child and ambassador of Kibra. He encourages people to visit and experience the culture that flows within this area and more importantly, interact with the community that calls Kibra home.
If it wasn’t for Biko, Kibra wouldn’t have come to life through clear, storytelling images. And for this, we thank him and urge him to keep doing the good work – the Paukwa work.
