KENYAN PHOTOGRAPHER POLLY IRUNGU SAYS GOODBYE TO WHITE HOUSE ROLE ON FINAL DAY

Polly Irungu, a Kenyan-born photojournalist who emigrated to the United States as a child, has concluded her tenure as the Photo Editor for Vice President Kamala Harris and as a Biden-Harris White House Photographer. 

The announcement comes as a new administration prepares to take office. Irungu shared, “It’s been an honour to see through thousands of photos the impact that Vice President Kamala Harris has had on our country. Serving as the photo editor for VP Harris has been a humbling and rewarding experience. I owe so much to Lawrence Jackson, VP’s Director of Photography, for trusting me in this role. As VP Kamala Harris always says, ‘hard work is good work,’ and I’m so proud of the good work that we did.”

She also talked about her humble beginnings, immigrating from Kenya as a child, not knowing how to speak English, and discovering her passion for visual storytelling. She worked at McDonald’s during high school to save for her first camera, never imagining her path would lead her to the White House. “After nearly three years, today was my last day. Thank you, Mr. President, Adam Schultz, and Lawrence Jackson, for the honour of a lifetime.”

During her time at the White House, Irungu contributed to documenting history the work of the nation’s first female Vice President.