Seoul, South Korea – In a surprising turn of events, Nesh Maina, a seasoned photojournalist known for capturing pivotal moments of President William Ruto’s tenure, faced an unexpected barrier during the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul. Maina, who has been a constant presence in the president’s local and international engagements, was prohibited from photographing the president and his delegation, a task he has performed with distinction across borders.
The incident occurred on the sidelines of the high-profile summit where President Ruto was among the leaders in attendance. The summit, aimed at fostering relations between Korea and African nations, also featured discussions with the Green Climate Fund representatives. However, the stringent protocols in place by the host nation meant that Maina, along with other foreign photographers, were denied access to the event’s crucial moments.
Maina expressed his dissatisfaction with the quality of photographs provided by the resident photojournalists, who were assigned to document the event on behalf of their foreign counterparts. Taking to the X social network, Maina voiced his concerns, stating, “Our hosts highly limited our access to photograph our bosses with the promise that they’d themselves take the images and send us individually to our emails. Tell me why these people can’t shoot black skin Jamani?”
The photojournalist’s critique extended beyond the access issue to the very essence of the photographs’ quality, lamenting the lack of creativity and disregard for basic photography rules. Maina’s experience highlights the challenges that arise when international protocols clash with professional expectations, leaving room for passive-aggressive responses and a call for better understanding and respect for the craft of photography.
In a separate but equally troubling account, Maina recalled an incident where he narrowly avoided losing his photography equipment to unscrupulous clients. This narrative came to light following a tweet by a lady detailing her own harrowing experience with a client. Maina’s anecdote serves as a cautionary tale for professionals in the field, underscoring the risks they face while pursuing their passion.
The incident in Seoul raises questions about the balance between security protocols and the need for inclusive representation in global events. As Maina prepares to depart South Korea, his reflections on the episode offer insight into the complexities of international diplomacy and media coverage.
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