Prankster Vindee details challenges & dangers of making content in Nairobi

Nairobi may look like a playground for prank content creators, but anyone who has ever filmed in the CBD, estates or around matatu stages knows the reality is far messier.

The city is fast, reactive, unpredictable and sometimes volatile, a mix that makes prank videos both thrilling and dangerous to shoot.

In his conversation with Oga Obinna, prankster Vindee opened up about what really happens behind the scenes, revealing challenges that most viewers never notice when laughing at a 30-second clip.

Pranking in Nairobi is not simply about being funny. It is a game of reading crowds, anticipating danger, avoiding unnecessary conflict and respecting spaces that can switch from calm to chaotic within seconds.

Why pranking in public spaces comes with real risks

The CBD is one of the hardest places to film. Everyone is in a hurry, security is tight, and people are naturally suspicious of anything unusual.

Vindee says Nairobi’s unpredictable nature is what forces him to think ten steps ahead before pressing record.

“You might start a prank when people are laughing, but within a minute the whole vibe changes. Nairobi people react fast,” he told Obinna.

In areas like Tom Mboya Street, River Road and outside popular buildings, the risk is not just someone getting angry, it’s the possibility of crowds forming too quickly, misunderstanding the prank, or assuming the content creator is a thief or con artist.

In a city where petty crime is common, residents react sharply to anything that looks remotely suspicious.

Vindee shared that there are times he has had to stop in the middle of a prank because bystanders started becoming anxious or overly protective.

“Sometimes someone steps in like they want to defend the person you’re pranking. They think you’re serious. That’s when you stop immediately,” he said.

Security guards, vendors and boda riders: The unofficial ‘prank regulators’

If Nairobi had a list of people who don’t entertain nonsense, security guards and boda boda riders would be top contenders. Vindee says these two groups can end a prank before it even begins.

“Ask any content creator, the first people who shout at you are the guards,” he joked.

Most guards worry about causing disturbances, blocking entrances or attracting crowds that may result in theft or damage. Their primary job is order, not entertainment.

Boda riders, on the other hand, are extremely reactive. They intervene quickly when they sense someone is being harassed or disrespected. According to Vindee, this can turn dangerous if they misread the prank.

“Bodas don’t ask questions. If they feel you’re doing something wrong, they move first, think later,” he said.

Street vendors add another layer. Some find the content hilarious; others feel it interferes with business.

Whether supportive or stern, they significantly influence how long a prank can be executed before tension builds.

The close calls that changed how Vindee plans his content

Every prankster has a moment that makes them rethink their entire strategy. For Vindee, one such moment involved a prank that escalated too quickly.

He explained that while playing a character who pretended to reveal a fake scandal, someone in the crowd thought the person he was pranking was genuinely being defamed.

Another incident happened in an estate, where a resident mistook a prank for an attempted break-in. Vindee says this was a turning point.

Estates are very territorial. People protect their space. If they don’t know you, they don’t trust you.

Unlike creators in cities with more relaxed public filming rules, Vindee’s approach starts long before the camera rolls.

He observes foot traffic, picks corners where people can step away safely, and avoids areas with heavy security presence.

He also brings minimal equipment to blend into the environment. A big camera attracts attention; a smaller one allows the team to shoot quickly and exit without drawing unnecessary interest.