Meet Photojournalist Behind Uhuru's Viral Photos

A photo collage of former President Uhuru Kenyatta as captured by photojournalist Daniel Kinyanjui Kimani
A photo collage of former President Uhuru Kenyatta as captured by photojournalist Daniel Kinyanjui Kimani
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Pauline Njoroge

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s photos always went viral due to the unique moments and angles at which they were captured.

Daniel Kinyanjui Kimani alias Danito was always the man behind the lens in giving the best shots of the head of state.

He was the photographer who was assigned to cover him during his tenure as Kenya's 4th president.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Danito revealed that he would accompany Uhuru on almost all his trips to capture his every moment.

Daniel Kinyanjui Kimani during a past event on October 5, 2022
Daniel Kinyanjui Kimani during a past event on October 5, 2022
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Daniel Kinyanjui

“I found myself sharing Metre Gauge Railway (MGR)with the president in the same cabin. I also found myself inside  Kenya Airforce from Nairobi to Kisumu, when the president was inspecting Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD), MGR , Kisumu Shipyard and Mbita bridge.

“I covered all of Uhuru’s projects in the entire country. My photos were selected and will be used by The Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board – Editorial Manager for the 2022 book,” he stated.

Kinyanjui’s breakthrough came after meeting Digital Communication Strategist Pauline Njoroge in 2019 during the Devolution Conference held in Kirinyaga County. 

During the event, he asked for her number as he had taken several photos of her in the past and even sent some to her through Messenger.

Pauline was in search of a photographer and had been disappointed by those who always asked for money after just taking a single photo of her.

“Pauline spotted my work and the rest is history. After exchanging contacts, we chatted a bit and sent her all the photos,” he noted.

She loved his work and was also surprised that he did not ask for payment after taking several photos of her.

She was greatly impressed by his drive, diligence, humility, timeliness and professionalism.

The two found a working relationship and started engaging in some projects. It’s through this that Kinyajui got assigned to cover Uhuru’s events and projects.

A photo of former president Uhuru Kenyatta captured by Daniel Kinyajui Kimani during his visit to Naivasha ICD, Kisumu shipyard and Mbita bridge on January 12, 2022
A photo of former president Uhuru Kenyatta captured by Daniel Kinyajui Kimani during his visit to Naivasha ICD, Kisumu shipyard and Mbita bridge on January 12, 2022
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Daniel Kinyanjui

“This saw my photos being used on billboards and got a chance to be part of Jamhuri Day coverage,” he stated. 

While working for the state, he also worked for the President's Delivery Unit(PDU).

Kinyanjui was born in a village called Mukui in Kabete constituency. He attended Kirangari primary school and later joined St Luke's secondary school Machakos.