By
NICHOLAS KOMU and MOSES NDUNG’U
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — As the light turns red at a busy intersection in the Kenyan capital, a young man costumed in leopard print emerges into the street to perform somersaults. He is joined by five others, dressed similarly, as they execute a combination of acrobatic stunts.One of them, juggling woven hats, breaks away and approaches the drivers of vehicles that have come to a halt. He’s hoping for generous tips as he presents his hat to driver after driver while his mates continue their routine. The group breaks away as soon as the traffic lights turn green.Nairobi’s street acrobats first began appearing in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have since become normalized at traffic stops in and around the city, with acrobats taking advantage of gridlocks to perform in exchange for cash tips. It is how they earn a living.
Mohammed Nyale, 22, said he started doing acrobatics hoping for a life-changing occupation. “I have always loved acrobatics since I started performing at 15 years old,” he said.
Acrobats perform on a street in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
