Nairobi street acrobats perform for motorists in traffic

Street acrobats have become a common sight at traffic intersections in Nairobi, Kenya, performing stunts for motorists during gridlocks. The practice emerged in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since become a normalized way for performers to earn a living.

Performers, such as 22-year-old Mohammed Nyale, often travel from the Kenyan coast to the capital with aspirations of professional stage careers. Instead, they rehearse in the Kawangware neighborhood and perform in the streets during morning rush hours.

To collect earnings, acrobats use both cash and mobile wallets, often handing out slips of paper with phone numbers to drivers. On a successful day, performers may earn approximately $6, which covers their basic needs.