Leopard-print acrobats turn Nairobi traffic jams into street performances

At Nairobi’s congested crossroads, performers dressed in leopard print launch acrobatic routines whenever lights turn red, drawing onlookers and modest tips from halted drivers. The practice started in 2020 during COVID-19 lockdowns and has since become a fixture of the city’s traffic culture. Participants like 22-year-old Mohammed Nyale train each morning in an abandoned field in Kawangware, then take to the streets during the morning rush, praying before changing into their costumes and performing until noon.

Tips are usually no more than 50 shillings, though some drivers send money via mobile wallets, allowing each acrobat to earn roughly $6 per day—comparable to casual labor wages in a country with youth unemployment rates between 4.9% and 9.9% in 2024. Rival groups, including a troupe led by 28-year-old Jackson Okoth on Lang’ata Road, cite the work as a way to stay active and avoid idle mischief, while dreaming of future circus careers abroad. Opinions among motorists vary, with some seeing the shows as a welcome distraction and others viewing them as a nuisance.