Google to withhold 5% from Kenyan YouTube creators' earnings

Google will begin withholding 5% from eligible YouTube earnings paid to Kenyan creators starting in September 2026. The company will remit these deductions to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to comply with national tax requirements for the digital economy.

To avoid payment disruptions, creators must provide a verified KRA Personal Identification Number (PIN) through their AdSense accounts by October 1, 2026. While earnings will continue to accrue, Google has warned that payments may be frozen for those who fail to comply with the tax information requirement.

This move follows similar actions by Meta, which began withholding 5% from Kenyan creators in January. The Kenyan government is increasingly targeting revenue from digital platforms to expand its tax base and reduce reliance on borrowing. The 5% withholding is a deduction from gross earnings and does not necessarily represent a creator's final total tax liability.