People-Watching in Kisumu
Street photography. Chapter #7 of Making a Difference with SANGO-Kenya.
This is chapter #6. You can read the first chapters here: Chapter #1, Chapter #2, Chapter #3, Chapter #4, Chapter #5, Chapter #6
As a photographer who loves people-watching and street photography, I’ve spent years observing the world through my lens. However, it has become increasingly frustrating that nearly every candid shot now features someone engrossed in their phone.
Picture any group of people waiting for a bus, strolling downtown, sitting in the subway, or resting on a park bench, and you’ll find them invariably obsessed with their screens. It’s as if the glow of digital devices has replaced the art of human interaction.
That’s why Kisumu is such a delightful revelation. Here, you get to witness a vibrant tapestry of life, untainted by the omnipresence of smartphones.
People are engaged in work, selling their wares, and interacting with one another in a refreshingly authentic way. I’m sure this will change with time. Like everywhere else… The phones will take over.
For now… many of the people here have stupid phones that are used for calls and financial transactions, but they are not very interesting to stare at every few minutes.
Children, in particular, are a source of endless fascination as they entertain themselves with whatever props they can find — or even with none at all, relying solely on their boundless imagination.
One striking aspect of Kisumu is the difference in social behavior, especially regarding smiling. In Kisumu, smiles are not the automatic, polite gestures I’m accustomed to. Instead, they are genuine reflections of true emotions or the situation.
This stands in stark contrast to the environment I know, where social smiles are as common as streetlights and often serve as a universal signal of friendliness, politeness, or simply, “I’m not a threat.”
The concept of personal space is also markedly different. Add to that the local curiosity about a Muzungu (a white person) like myself, and you get situations where children crowd around me, staring with unabashed fascination.
This initial curiosity usually dissipates after a few moments, only to be replaced by a new wave of curious onlookers. Kisumu isn’t exactly a tourist hotspot, so encounters with Muzungus are relatively rare.
Children here are endlessly captivating. They create games from anything at hand — a box, a wheel, a stick — or simply enjoy each other’s company.
It’s like watching a live theater of childhood ingenuity and joy.
The market is particularly intriguing, with its vast array of stands and activities.
It's a bustling hub of commerce and community, from watchmakers and seamstresses to fish stalls and vendors selling pots and pans.
My Muzungu charm didn’t go unnoticed here, either. Many vendors were eager to strike up a conversation or ask questions.
Despite the language barrier, we managed to communicate through a symphony of hand gestures and smiles.
Next…. A day in a farmer’s life.
In the meantime… if you want to learn a bit more about SANGO-Kenya and the program. You can check it out here: https://sango-kenya.org/
…and you can see more of my photos here: https://www.rozinphotos.com/
