Luis Tato

Photojournalist

Biography

Luis Tato is a photojournalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. In 2023, he joined Agence France-Presse as a staff photographer, and is currently serving as Chief Photographer and Photo Coordinator for East Africa and the Indian Ocean. 

Tato gained a degree in audiovisual communication and began his career covering Spain’s Financial Crisis for print media, news agencies and several NGOs. He then became a regular contributor to the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia covering daily news and sports. Later, he combined his work covering mainly East Africa as a stringer for Agence France-Presse and other international publications while developing his own photojournalism projects with a focus on sociology, identity and resilience.

Tato has gained numerous honors including the Rémi Ochlik Award and Picture of the Year International awards among others.

Photos: Kenya's Youth Uprising

In 2024, the National Treasury of Kenya proposed additional taxes on everyday items to generate additional income and alleviate Kenya’s high debt burden. Protests against the bill erupted, led by young Kenyans who organized actions over social media. On 25 June, protestors stormed Parliament and clashed with police; many were killed or abducted and hundreds were injured. Though President William Ruto withdrew the bill, protests persist into 2025, fueled by anger over economic hardship, corruption, police brutality, and distrust of the political class. All across Kenya, young people have emerged as a driving force, demanding accountability and systemic reforms.