Kenyan-Born Photographer Polly Irungu Bids Farewell to White House Role After 3 Years
On Monday, January 20, a Nairobi-born photographer shared a heartfelt message marking the end of her tenure at the White House.
In an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), Polly Irungu revealed that her time in the prestigious role was coming to a close as the U.S. transitions to Donald Trump’s presidency.
“When I fell in love with visual storytelling and worked at McDonald’s during school to save for my first camera, I never imagined my passion would lead me to the White House. After nearly three incredible years, today is my last day. Thank you, Mr. President, Adam, and Lawrence,” she wrote.
Irungu made headlines in 2022 when she defied the odds to become the White House’s first photo editor, serving under then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Her journey to this historic role was shaped by determination, talent, and a rich global perspective.
Born in Nairobi, Irungu has lived across the U.S., including Kansas, Oregon, Washington, D.C., Arkansas, and Brooklyn, New York. Her diverse experiences fueled her creativity and resilience.
In 2020, early in her photography career, Irungu launched Black, an online directory featuring over 100 Black female photographers sourced from a Twitter list. This initiative aimed to connect clients with talented Black women photographers for various projects.
What sets Irungu apart is her self-taught background. Her photography has been featured in top publications such as The New York Times and Reuters.
In 2022, she joined the prestigious IWMF Gwen Ifill Fellowship, a program dedicated to increasing newsroom diversity in the U.S., especially in leadership roles.
Excellence runs in Irungu’s family. Her mother, Jane, also made waves in the U.S., becoming Utah State University’s first vice president.
Polly Irungu’s journey from Nairobi to the White House showcases how passion and perseverance can break barriers and redefine possibilities.
Kenyan-Born Photographer Polly Irungu Bids Farewell to White House Role After 3 Years
