Iddah Betty Akinyi Bio
Betty Akinyi also Iddah is a documentary photographer and filmmaker based in Nairobi. whose work seamlessly blends her background in Communication and Journalism with a deep passion for visual storytelling and art advocacy. Betty is committed to using her craft as a tool for advocacy, shining a light on often overlooked narratives and empowering communities through her lens.
Her dedication to this mission is evident in her role as a trainer at the One of Us Art for People Project – advocacy through art education and documentary filmmaking and Power to Youth – Youth Videographers Trainer in 2024.
As a co-founder of Somaso Afrika, Betty leverages photography and film to tell impactful stories, document interventions, and assist organizations in project mapping and research. Her work continues to inspire and educate, making a significant impact on the world of visual storytelling and advocacy.
Betty has worked with FSC East Africa, a non-profit that promotes environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests and Kisii Smart Communities, an organization that uses e-mobility to manage a platform for market access, training and productive energy use among rural smallholder farmers in Kisii, Sotik, and Nyamira formed by Toyota Mobility Foundation and CFAO mobility.
Betty has gotten honors for her art, receiving accolades such as recognition in the ILGA World Photo Contest, being a Top 50 finalist in the Agora Photo Awards and selection to participate in Envision Kindness photo contest. She currently works as the documentary filmmaker for PREPARED -a project creating an ethical and integrity framework for research during global crises.
Betty is also a Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmaker (NEWF) Fellow with NEWF Community in collaboration with National Geographic (NatGeo)