Kenyans love to hustle. From mushrooming kiosks, to Uber drivers battling traffic, to gamers streaming FIFA and Fortnite late into the night. Ambition is everywhere.
But this week, a shocker hit the digital space: Twitch has suspended monetization in Kenya.
Yes, you can still stream and grow your fan base. But the ka-ching-ching part? Gone. No ads. No bits.
According to the company, Kenya’s recent government policies have made it impossible to continue offering Partner and Affiliate programs that pay streamers. Twitch did not go into specifics, but it’s clear that red tape, regulations, and taxes have jammed the signal.
And so, Twitch took the “pause” button… but for Kenyan streamers, it is certainly a big loss.
The bigger picture
Kenya has been working hard to grow its creator economy, with deals already struck with YouTube, Facebook, and X. Meta even rolled out ads and reels monetization, while TikTok still limits Africans to gifting and brand deals. Now Twitch has pulled monetization altogether.
On the flip side, local platforms like Selar are giving creators options, helping thousands sell content directly. Twitch’s move may sting, but it could push Kenyan streamers to diversify and build beyond one platform.
For the Kenyan streamer…
I can only imagine grinding for years, building a loyal following, only for your monetization tab to disappear overnight. That’s heartbreaking.
But here’s the silver lining:
- Streaming is still live – the audience can still grow.
- Cross-platform hustle is key – YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming, even TikTok Live (with gifting) are still open.
- Direct support is powerful – from Patreon to Selar, fans can still support their favorite creators directly.
My take…
This is more than just a Twitch story. It’s about digital sovereignty, government policy, and the power of young Kenyans shaping culture online.
Because whether you’re dancing on TikTok, doing mukbang on YouTube, or streaming Call of Duty on Twitch…getting paid for creativity remains the ultimate Kenyan creator’s dream.
So the question now is: Will the government and platforms step up to protect Kenya’s digital hustle? Or will our streamers be left buffering in the loading screen of policy confusion?
