Samburu shepherd, 2009

John Kenny  

Every Friday, the highest mountain pass in northern Kenya comes alive as its normally wind-battered and deserted shacks become the focus of a market. It is the only place in West Samburu where Pokot and Samburu tribal groups are able to meet in a tense and uneasy truce.

From a cliff top, looking out over northern Kenya’s rugged scenery, a nervous Samburu trader pointed at small moving objects in the valley below. It was the feared Pokot. An hour later the market had largely segmented with groups of Samburu and Pokot men, AK47s slung over their backs, keeping a wary eye on each other.

The tension was palpable, so I wandered up the hill behind the market where I met this calm young Samburu goat herder.

John Kenny's work is all shot on location in some of the remotest corners of Africa. His images are all taken with natural light and in a natural state - ie in the subjects day to day attire.

The C-type prints are mounted with an acrylic face mount giving them a 3-dimensional appearance and a contemporary look.