Biography

Featured

Michael Onyiego is an Emmy Award - winning documentary filmmaker based in Nairobi. He is passionate about telling new African stories and has served as an editor, DoP and producer on various long and short-form documentary projects. Before his work in documentary film he was a senior producer for 6 years at the BBC, traveling across Africa to film and report television news.

His work has appeared in Vice News, BBC, Al Jazeera, the Washington Post, CNN, the New York Times and several other outlets. He has filmed commercial work for UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM and others and is also a founding member of NonAligned Media.

Selected Work

SCRIPPS - In Real Life: Voices of Nature

AI technology is opening up new possibilities for scientists communicating with animals — from sending messages to elephants on the plains of Kenya to mimicking honey bees in Germany and bat sounds in Israel. I served as a DoP on the Kenya segment of this film, working with Elephant researchers and honey-guide trackers around Samburu, Northern Kenya.

Al Jazeera: Raising Champions in Iten

An inside look at Kenya’s tight-knit running community as they grapple with a wave of domestic violence. Women runners highlight their efforts to fight for change while winning races. I originated the concept for this story and served as Episode Producer and second DoP. The piece is part of “A Sense of Community,” a limited series highlighting unique communities around the world. This episode (and the overall series) was recognized with multiple awards nominations and wins.

PBS: The Kenyan Election

Kenya went to the polls in an historic election which saw issues, rather than ethnicity drive campaigns for the first time. The country’s vote was also the most open and transparent in its history, but it wasn’t without controversy. I produced and edited this seven minute news feature for PBS Newshour.

Vice: Inside the Wellness Industry’s Controversial Supply Chains

Essential oils are now a multi-billion dollar industry, with companies pushing dubious health claims to customers in the west. Frankincense is the “king” of these oils; but in Somaliland, the business involves corruption, exploitation and lies. I served as a cameraperson on this hourlong investigative piece, shooting for three weeks in Somaliland. The documentary was awarded two Emmy’s, for Outstanding Video Journalism and Outstanding Business, Consumer and Economic Coverage.

BBC Africa Eye: Nigeria’s Kidnapped Children

A wave of kidnappings has swept across northern Nigeria, forcing parents and politicians to make impossible choices. I served as the Africa Eye’s digital editor for this Mayeni Jones piece, taking the half-hour version and crafting a condensed narrative while trying to retain the emotion and information contained in the original.

BBC: America’s Most Unusual Election

The United States went to the polls amidst deep political divisions and a devastating surge in Covid-19 cases across the country. Hanan Razek and I took a look at the election and what to expect after voting day. This piece was produced, shot and edit for BBC World News and was broadcast on the News at Ten.

BBC: The Long Breakup

The 2020 US presidential election has pushed America’s relationship with China to the breaking point. The two talk of decoupling, but undoing such deep economic, political and social ties built over the years isn’t easy. This piece was produced, shot and edited for BBC World News.

BBC: How the Spread of Coronavirus is Testing Africa

When Covid-19 arrived in subsaharan Africa, first in Nigeria and then Senegal, I was reporting from the ground. As the virus began to spread in earnest, I spoke with epidemiologists around the world about what it would take for countries across the continent to successfully contain it.

BBC: On the Road with Uganda’s ‘Ghetto President’

A short feature about Ugandan opposition leader and musician Bobi Wine, produced with correspondent Catherine Byaruhanga. After securing access with Catherine, we shadowed Wine for a few days, shooting his daily life as well as his political activity. This piece was edited for BBC World TV and online.

BBC: South Africa, Kashoggi and Saudi Weapons

A multimedia explainer on South Africa’s connection to Jamal Kashoggi and the country’s ties to Saudia Arabia and the war in Yemen. I conceptualized this project, co-scripted, animated and directed production. This piece was broadcast on BBC World TV and online.

BBC: The Sudanese Revolution

A look at the early days of the “sit-in” protests in Khartoum following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in April, 2019. I shot this piece with BBC Africa Editor Fergal Keane and it was broadcast on the BBC News at Ten in the UK and across outlets on BBC World TV.

BBC: Russia and the Central African Republic

Russia has been making diplomatic and economic inroads into Africa in recent years. This explainer looks at what Russia’s involvement in the Central African Republic and how that relationship has impacted the conflict there. I directed, edited and animated this piece for BBC World TV and the BBC website.