TIKTOKER AJIB GATHONI REVEALS EARNING SH2.5M FROM SINGLE CAMPAIGN

Popular Kenyan content creator Ajib Gathoni recently made waves after disclosing that she earned KSh2.5 million from a single brand deal jokingly adding that it was “tax-free” during an interview with Shiksha Arora.

“I’ve made KSh 2.5 million from just one campaign, tax-free,” she revealed, sparking mixed reactions online. While many fans celebrated her success, others raised questions about tax compliance for digital creators. 

Under Kenyan law, influencers are subject to multiple tax obligations, as enforced by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Key tax requirements for digital content creators include: Digital Service Tax (DST): A 1.5% levy on income from digital platforms, payable by the 20th of each month. Income Tax: Ranging from 10% to 30%, depending on earnings. VAT: Mandatory for those with an annual turnover exceeding KSh5 million. Withholding Tax: A 15% deduction on digital content earnings, introduced under the 2023 Finance Act.

Creators who fail to file returns by the June 30 deadline risk penalties either KSh2,000 or 5% of the owed tax, whichever is higher.