Kesh Nthamba

Makenna Kesh Nthamba is a Nairobi based Documentary Photographer and Cinematographer (DoP) specialising in storytelling, environmental portraits, editorial and photojournalism photography. The primary focus of her work revolves around preventive medicine & health, sports, culture/art, landscapes and the Gospel. Kesh strives to tell and visualize stories of marginalized humanity and everyday life that is neither idealized nor debased. Kesh believes it takes a trauma-informed lens to deepen empathy and re-order the conscience of man. Her ongoing photo series explores the living fabric of Amboseli46 through a hybrid of environmental and street portraits.

As a Communication Consultant and Public Health graduate, Kesh has supported a range of humanitarian and development clients including: UNECA (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa), ACPC (Africa Climate Policy Centre), IGAD-ICPAC, One Acre Fund, LifeStraw, Pencils of Promise, Vestergaard Frandsen, Habitat for Humanity, NOC-K (National Olympic Committee - Kenya), World Vision, UNICEF and Tearfund Canada.

Kesh has also worked in Mozambique and Ghana.

Kesh's work was shortlisted and exhibited at the International Centre of Photography (ICP) Museum for the 'Global Images for Global Crisis' gallery exhibition in New York, 2020. In the same year, The Other Hundred and the GIFT Foundation shortlisted her photo story for "The Other Hundred Healers" photojournalism project, which was later exhibited in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Baptist University. Kesh's work has been exhibited at the Kioko Mwitiki Art Gallery in Nairobi during the '30 under 30' gallery exhibition in 2017 and in the previous year, emerged overall winner of the Samsung Colours of Kenya photography competition for her distinct creativity.