How Does TikTok Pay in Kenya: Everything You Need to Know
Last updated on May 6th, 2025 at 09:57 am
You’re scrolling TikTok, watching Azziad Nasenya rake in cash.
You wonder, “Can I make money on TikTok in Kenya?”
Or maybe, “How does TikTok pay in Kenya, and is it even worth my time?”
You’re not alone.
Kenyans are hooked—1 in 4 use TikTok monthly.
But turning views into Kenyan shillings?
That’s where the real questions kick in.
Does TikTok pay in Kenya?
How much does TikTok pay for 1,000 followers in Kenya?
Can you cash out via M-Pesa?
I’m breaking it all down.
No fluff, just the raw truth.
Think of this as a chat over coffee, but with numbers and steps to get you paid.
Table of Contents
Does TikTok Pay in Kenya? The Straight Answer
Yes, TikTok pays in Kenya.
But it’s not like YouTube’s AdSense, where you hit a threshold and cash flows.
TikTok’s monetization in Kenya is a hustle.
The Creator Fund, the main way TikTok pays globally, isn’t active in Kenya.
So, Kenyan creators lean on other methods.
Think live gifts, brand deals, and affiliate links.
It’s real money, but you need strategy, not just vibes.
How Does TikTok Pay in Kenya? The Big Picture
TikTok offers multiple ways to earn.
None are “post and get rich” schemes.
Each method has requirements, thresholds, and payouts.
Here’s the breakdown of how TikTok pays in Kenya:
1. TikTok Live Gifts
Go live, entertain, and fans send virtual gifts.
These gifts (like a “Rose” or “TikTok Universe”) turn into diamonds.
Diamonds convert to cash.
But TikTok takes a 50% cut.
How it works:
- Need 1,000 followers to go live.
- Must be 18+ with an account over 30 days old.
- Fans buy coins (e.g., 1 coin = Ksh 1.6).
- They send gifts (e.g., “Sam the Whale” = 30,000 coins).
- You get diamonds (2 diamonds = 1 coin).
- 1 diamond = $0.005 (~Ksh 0.65).
Example:
Tizian Savage made Ksh 800,000 from one TikTok Live.
A fan gifts you “Leon and Lions” (34,000 coins).
That’s 17,000 diamonds, worth $85 (~Ksh 11,000).
After TikTok’s cut, you pocket ~Ksh 5,500.
Payout:
Withdraw via PayPal (link to M-Pesa or bank).
Minimum withdrawal: $100 (Ksh 13,000).
Max daily withdrawal: $1,000 (Ksh 130,000).
2. Brand Partnerships: Big Money for Influence
Brands pay you to promote their products.
Think Azziad Nasenya charging Ksh 100,000 per TikTok video.
No follower minimum, but 100,000+ gets you noticed.
How to land deals:
- Build a niche (fashion, comedy, food).
- Post consistently (1–2 videos daily).
- Reach out to brands or join platforms like Creator Marketplace.
- Be authentic—Kenyans smell fakes a mile away.
Earnings:
- Micro-influencers (10,000–50,000 followers): Ksh 10,000–50,000 per post.
- Big creators (1M+ followers): Ksh 100,000–1,200,000 per post.
Azziad allegedly makes Ksh 500,000+ monthly from sponsorships.
Pro tip:
Disclose paid content.
Kenya’s Competition Authority requires transparency to avoid fines.
3. Earn Commissions
Promote products with unique links.
Earn a cut when someone buys.
TikTok doesn’t allow links in videos, so use your bio.
How to start:
- Join programs like Jumia Affiliate or Amazon.
- Share links via a link-in-bio tool (e.g., Linktree).
- Create engaging videos showcasing the product.
- Commissions range from 5–25% per sale.
Example:
Promote a Ksh 10,000 phone on Jumia. Earn 10% (Ksh 1,000) per sale. If 10 people buy, that’s Ksh 10,000.
4. Selling Your Own Stuff: Merch and Services
Got a business?
Use TikTok to sell.
T-shirts, cosmetics, or even TikTok marketing consulting—anything works.
Steps:
- Create videos showing your product.
- Add a Shopify or Instagram shop link in your bio.
- Engage fans with giveaways or tutorials.
Example: Njoki Murira built a house from TikTok merch sales.
Earnings:
Depends on your pricing and audience size. A Ksh 2,000 T-shirt with 100 sales = Ksh 200,000.
5. TikTok Creator Fund: Not in Kenya (Yet)
The Creator Fund pays $0.02–$0.04 per 1,000 views.
For 1 million views, that’s $20–$40 (~Ksh 2,600–5,200).
But it’s only in the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Spain.
Kenya’s not on the list.
Rumors say it might come soon—stay tuned.
How Much Does TikTok Pay in Kenya? The Numbers
No fixed paycheck.
Your earnings depend on views, engagement, and hustle.
Here’s a snapshot:
Live Gifts:
- 10,000 coins (~Ksh 16,000) = ~Ksh 8,000 after TikTok’s cut.
- Top creators like Tizian Savage hit Ksh 800,000 per live.
Brand Deals:
- 10,000 followers: Ksh 10,000–50,000 per post.
- 100,000 followers: Ksh 50,000–200,000 per post.
- 1M+ followers: Ksh 500,000–1,200,000 per post.
Affiliate Marketing:
- Ksh 500–5,000 per sale, depending on the product.
- Scales with your audience size.
Merch Sales: Ksh 50,000–500,000 monthly with a loyal fanbase.
How much does TikTok pay for 1,000 followers in Kenya?
TikTok doesn’t pay for followers directly.
But 1,000 followers unlock Live Gifts.
Earnings start at Ksh 5,000–20,000 monthly if you go live often.
How much does TikTok pay in Kenya for 1 million views?
No Creator Fund, so views alone don’t pay. But 1 million views boost your brand deals. Expect Ksh 100,000–500,000 per sponsored post.
How to Monetize TikTok in Kenya: Step-by-Step
Ready to cash in? Here’s how to make money on TikTok in Kenya:
Build Your Audience
Pick a niche (e.g., dance, cooking, comedy).
Post 1–2 videos daily.
Use trending sounds and hashtags (#Kenya, #TikTokKenya).
Engage with comments and DMs.
Best time to post on TikTok in Kenya: 7–9 PM EAT, when users are active.
Hit Monetization Thresholds
- 1,000 followers: Unlock Live Gifts.
- 10,000 followers: Attract small brand deals.
- 100,000 followers: Land big sponsorships.
Set Up Payment
Create a PayPal account (mandatory for TikTok payouts).
Link PayPal to M-Pesa or a bank for withdrawals.
How do TikTok pay in Kenya via M-Pesa?
TikTok pays via PayPal, then you transfer to M-Pesa. No direct M-Pesa option.
Create Killer Content
Keep videos short (15–30 seconds).
Use local slang and humor (Kenyans love relatability).
Example: Dennis Ombachi’s “Done!” cooking videos went viral.
Diversify Income Streams
Mix Live Gifts, brand deals, and merch.
Don’t rely on one method.
Kapinto got a full-time NRG Radio job from TikTok fame.
TikTok Payment Requirements in Kenya
To get paid on TikTok in Kenya, you need:
- Age: 18+.
- Followers: 1,000+ for Live Gifts, 10,000+ for serious monetization.
- Account Age: 30+ days.
- PayPal Account: For withdrawals.
- Compliance: Follow TikTok’s Community Guidelines.
Breaking rules (e.g., copyrighted music) can ban you and kill earnings.
How Much Does TikTok Pay in Kenyan Shillings?
Let’s convert to Ksh:
Live Gifts:
- 1 coin = ~Ksh 1.6.
- 10,000 coins = ~Ksh 16,000 (you keep ~Ksh 8,000).
- 1 diamond = ~Ksh 0.65.
Brand Deals: Ksh 10,000–1,200,000 per post, depending on followers.
Affiliate: Ksh 500–10,000 per sale.
Merch: Varies (e.g., Ksh 200,000 for 100 T-shirt sales).
Does TikTok Pay for Views in Kenya?
No direct pay for views.
Unlike YouTube, TikTok doesn’t monetize views in Kenya.
Views boost your visibility, which leads to brand deals.
How much does TikTok pay per view in Kenya?
Zero, unless you’re in the Creator Fund (not available).
Do You Get Paid for Likes on TikTok?
Nope.
Likes don’t equal cash.
But they signal engagement, making you attractive to brands.
How many likes on TikTok to get paid?
No specific number—focus on views and followers.
When Does TikTok Start Paying in Kenya?
TikTok starts paying when you:
- Hit 1,000 followers for Live Gifts.
- Land your first brand deal (usually at 10,000+ followers).
- Sell merch or affiliate products (no minimum followers).
Is TikTok Shop Available in Kenya?
Not yet. TikTok Shop lets creators sell directly in-app, but it’s limited to places like the US and UK. For now, use bio links to Shopify or Instagram shops.
How Does TikTok Compare to Other Platforms in Kenya?
- YouTube: Pays Ksh 50–200 per 1,000 views.
1M views = Ksh 150,000–300,000.
More reliable than TikTok’s view-based earnings. - Instagram: Similar to TikTok—brand deals and affiliate marketing.
No direct view payments. - Snapchat: No monetization program in Kenya.
Pro tip: Don’t ditch YouTube. Buy Kenyan views on YouTube to boost your channel while growing TikTok.
Taxes and Legal Stuff
TikTok earnings are taxable.
Report income to the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Failing to declare can lead to fines.
Brand deals need clear disclosure (e.g., #Ad).
Using copyrighted music without permission?
That’s a ban waiting to happen.
Success Stories to Inspire You
Azziad Nasenya
Net worth allegedly over Ksh 10M. Charges Ksh 100,000 per TikTok video. Landed deals with Safaricom and others.
Njoki Murira
Built a house for her parents from TikTok income. Sells merch and promotes brands.
Dennis Ombachi
His “Done!” catchphrase went viral. Now a brand magnet for food companies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Posting inconsistently: You’ll lose momentum.
- Ignoring your niche: Random content confuses fans.
- Breaking rules: Copyrighted music or banned content kills your account.
- Not engaging: Reply to comments to build loyalty.
- Expecting quick cash: Monetization takes months.
How to Earn Money on TikTok in Kenya: Final Tips
- Be patient: Azziad didn’t blow up overnight.
- Experiment: Test trends, sounds, and niches.
- Network: Collab with other creators.
- Track analytics: Use TikTok’s Creator Tools to see what works.
- Stay real: Kenyans love authenticity.
Wrapping Up
How does TikTok pay in Kenya?
Through Live Gifts, brand deals, affiliate marketing, and merch sales.
How much does TikTok pay in Kenya?
From Ksh 5,000 to 1,200,000 monthly, depending on your hustle.
Is TikTok monetized in Kenya?
Yes, but not via the Creator Fund—yet.
Start small, post daily, and build your tribe.
The cash will follow.
Got questions?
Drop ‘em below, and let’s keep this convo going.
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