Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto posed for campaign portraits ahead of the 2017 General Election.
Mwangi Kirubi says equipment concerns led him to seek Allan Gichigi’s help for the 2017 shoot, while music helped the leaders relax.
Photographer Mwangi Kirubi, known as Mwarv, has recalled his fears while preparing Uhuru-Ruto campaign portraits at State House in 2017. Equipment concerns prompted him to seek help from fellow photographer Allan Gichigi.
The assignment came unexpectedly in May that year, after the photographer initially chosen for the job became unavailable. A friend in the State House communications office then recommended Mwarv as a replacement.
At first, he suspected the call was a prank. However, after confirming the request, he changed his plans, collected his camera equipment and headed to State House.
Equipment worries before Uhuru-Ruto campaign portraits
On arrival, Mwarv realised the setup required equipment he did not have. He feared he could produce poor-quality images for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his then deputy, William Ruto.
He therefore contacted Gichigi, whose photography he admired, and invited him to collaborate on the assignment. However, Kenyatta’s busy schedule delayed the shoot, requiring the photographers to return two days later.
The pair arrived at about 6.30am on May 4, 2017, and surrendered their electronic devices as required. They then prepared their equipment while waiting for the leaders.
Other presidential engagements caused further delays, but the team faced a firm deadline that day. The portraits needed to reach printers preparing campaign posters and manifestos.
Music helped ease tension during the shoot
Ruto arrived first, and Gichigi directed the session while an assistant helped manage lighting and reflections. Kenyatta later joined them for the photography session.
Mwarv said strict protocol around the two leaders risked making the portraits too formal and the subjects uncomfortable. To ease that tension, Gichigi played rhumba and songs by artists including Miriam Makeba.
The music encouraged a more relaxed atmosphere as the photographers captured individual and joint portraits. Mwarv recalled moments when both leaders appeared to enjoy the songs, helping the team capture natural expressions.
He later adopted music in his own sessions and described the assignment as one of his most enjoyable. The experience also taught him to recognise when he needed help and collaborate with other creatives.
His career has since brought international recognition, including Gold in the Motor Sports category at the 2026 World Sports Photography Awards.
The portraits supported Kenyatta and Ruto’s second-term campaign under the newly formed Jubilee Party. They secured re-election in the October 26 rerun after the Supreme Court annulled the August 8 presidential election results.
