Street acrobats in Nairobi earn their livelihood by showcasing their talents to drivers.

As the signal shifts to red at a bustling intersection in Kenya's capital, a young man clad in leopard print steps forward to perform somersaults.

He is soon joined by five others, similarly attired, as they showcase a series of acrobatic feats.

One performer, skillfully juggling woven hats, detaches from the group and approaches the drivers of the halted vehicles: he seeks generous tips while presenting his hat to each driver as his companions continue their act. The group disperses as soon as the traffic lights switch to green.

This scene has become a common occurrence at traffic stops in and around Nairobi, with acrobats seizing the opportunity during traffic jams to entertain for cash tips. This is their means of survival.

“I have always had a passion for acrobatics since I began performing at 15 years old. From the start, I realized it was something that could transform my life,” shares Mohammed Nyale, now 22.

They typically perform until noon, taking turns to gather tips from drivers. The contributions are generally modest, rarely exceeding 50 shillings (a small fraction of a dollar). Since many Kenyans use mobile wallets, the acrobats also distribute slips with a phone number for sending tips.

A fruitful day can yield enough to cover their basic needs; each earns around $6 daily, though some days can be more lucrative.

This amount is comparable to what many casual laborers in construction and agriculture receive in a nation grappling with high unemployment rates. The youth unemployment rate was reported between 4.9% and 9.9% in 2024, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

Income from street performances "is what allows us to survive in Nairobi because we relocated here from far away, and no one is assisting us with rent,” Nyale explains.

For certain drivers, the performances provide a welcome distraction from the irritation of being stuck in traffic.

“They offer entertainment on the road. They engage us and uplift our spirits,” remarks Geoffrey Kioi, a Nairobi entrepreneur who frequently tips the acrobats. “They are young individuals. They need to work hard. They are like my sons."

However, not everyone appreciates the performances. Some motorists view them as a bothersome distraction.

“This isn’t the right place for it. That’s all I’m going to say, because it just causes traffic, and an accident could occur,” states a motorist who chose to remain anonymous.

Across the city from where Nyale’s group was performing one recent morning, another set of acrobats was also captivating motorists caught in traffic.

One of them, 28-year-old Jackson Okoth, shares their motivation.

“There are no opportunities available for us, so we enjoy being here because it keeps us occupied and helps us stay fit as well,” he explains. “Rather than staying home and engaging in reckless behavior, we chose to come here and perform for drivers and pedestrians.”

Okoth aspires to join a professional circus and tour the globe. “I’m on my journey, I’m still trying, I’m still putting in the effort," he states, "so that one day things might align, and I could find myself in Europe performing in a circus show.”

Some members of the team wear yellow vests provided by the Ministry of Health, which distributes them to enhance visibility for street workers and prevent traffic accidents.