From Photomagic to the World: The Story of President Ruto’s Photographer
Back in 2015, a young ambitious photographer from Eldoret posted a ‘bad’ couple photo on Facebook and asked for comments. Then one of our other photographers (Patrick Pato a.k.a. Rasta) referred him to my photography classes at Photomagic Studio Limited. The photo training programme was barely two years old, having started in October 2013.
The guy did not hesitate to make his inquiry and join in the second cohort of 2015. He wanted to be sponsored by the County Government of Uasin Gishu but it didn't happen, so he looked for his own money, and support from one of his brothers and joined the 12 -week programme.
The shocking part is that he was then the official photographer of Governor Jackson Kiplagat Mandago, but would hop onto a North Rift Shuttle and sometimes ‘Noah za mrengo’ every Wednesday to attend class at our then studio along Ngong Road. The lessons, just like today, used to happen every Wednesday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
The photographer’s background was in videography, but he needed to sharpen his skills in photography, which was his passion. He used to leave Eldoret at 9:00am on Wednesdays, attend classes in the evenings, and arrive back in Eldoret in the wee hours of Thursday mornings around 4:00 am or 5:00 am, ready to work without much rest. This is a story of true blood and sweat.
It was at Photomagic that he sharpened his skills through this structured photography course and the guidance of seasoned hands like Gibson Maina of Gibs Photography and myself. Soon after, even Governor Mandago started applauding his photography and his seniors, who had refused to sponsor him, noted the great leap in the quality of his work.
We are talking about Eliakim Okware, known in our photography circles and Facebook name as ‘Elicom Pro’, who is a Senior Photojournalist in the Office of the President.
Elicom went to Chiliba Mixed Day Secondary School between 2003 and 2006, where he used to cycle 20 km daily to school, and hails from a family of nine, three sisters and five brothers. Soon after, Elicom joined MKU Eldoret Campus in 2011 where he pursued a Diploma in Journalism. After completing MKU he tried paparazzi photo printing work at weddings and funerals around Eldoret for a while, then one nasty paparazzi wedding incident, where he almost got beaten, made him leave that work for good.
Eli’s work back in Eldoret and the Governor's office was noticed by decision-makers working under the Ruto campaign and the then DP’s office, and they called him. It was then that Elicom’s social media photo feed started becoming presidential in 2022 during the campaigns.
(click gallery below to view more photos)
Fast forward to 2024 June. If you have seen stunning pictures from the president’s press desk, most of the pictures are by Elicom. So much so that recently, during the US state visit, one day all the five main newspapers had his pictures on the front pages. On important national days, you will not fail to notice Elicom’s stunning photos, always with creative composition and play of light. His Maasai Mara pictures of President Ruto also travelled far and wide, and portrayed a break from tradition.
(click gallery below to view more photos)
I must also say that overall, the photographers around State House and other personalities around power have really upped the game with their shutters. I cannot fail to mention Nesh with the First Lady’s office, Biko Macoins Mashillingi and Biosse with Governor Sakaja and a few others!
Below are some of recent clicks from Elicom's assignments with the president.
I know Elikom in his hey days at the Governor Mandagos office .
Met him during the Senate Mashinani in 2019 when I was covering the same for senate as a videographer and I must admit he was very resourceful to us during the tour. An easy guy to work with and am glad to see he did take up photography fully.
He is doing a good job. Kudos to Elikom and thumbs up to the Photo-magic team that is sharpening these brilliant skills sets to star Photographers.... .
Glory be to God