Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang formally requested a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology over growing concerns about monetisation on X.
At the Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the senator raised alarm over complaints from Kenyan content creators regarding fairness, transparency, and revenue-sharing practices on the platform. He noted that as the digital economy continues to expand, it has become a crucial source of income, particularly for young people engaged in online content creation.
“The digital economy increasingly drives employment and income, especially among Kenyan youth engaged in content creation across global digital platforms. However, concerns have emerged from Kenyan creators about earnings on X, as well as the transparency and structure of its monetisation systems.
“This issue raises policy and regulatory questions within the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, and national digital economy strategies,” Chesang explained.
Chesang pointed out that despite the opportunities presented by global digital platforms, many Kenyan creators remain uncertain about how earnings on X are calculated and distributed. He emphasised that these concerns touch on broader regulatory and policy issues under the Kenya Information and Communications Act as well as the country’s digital economy strategy.
In his request, the lawmaker wants the Senate committee to investigate the structure and transparency of X’s monetisation systems. This includes examining eligibility requirements, payout models, and the key factors that influence how much creators earn. He also called for a comparison of X’s revenue-sharing mechanisms with other platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, particularly in terms of how they impact Kenyan users.
Call for review
Additionally, Chesang has asked the committee to outline the extent of engagement between the Kenyan government and X. This includes any discussions involving the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Communications Authority of Kenya, as well as whether there are local compliance frameworks or dispute resolution mechanisms available to creators.
The committee is further expected to assess whether the government has evaluated the economic contribution of Kenyan digital content creators across major platforms and whether participation in the digital economy is translating into meaningful income.
Finally, Chesang has tasked the committee with identifying policy and regulatory measures under consideration, both locally and through regional and international bodies such as the East African Community and the African Union, to ensure fair, transparent, and sustainable monetisation opportunities for Kenyan creators.
