Google to Deduct 5% Tax From YouTube Earnings of Kenyan Creators

Google will deduct a 5 percent withholding tax from YouTube earnings paid to creators with AdSense accounts registered in Kenya, starting with September 2026 revenue paid in October.

The deduction is being introduced to comply with Kenya’s Income Tax Act and will apply to all eligible AdSense accounts registered in the country. Google has instructed creators to submit their Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Personal Identification Numbers by 1 October.

Creators who do not complete the compliance requirement will have the tax deducted automatically from their payments. Google said the 5 percent withholding tax will apply in addition to any applicable United States taxes on YouTube income.

For example, a creator earning Ksh100,000 would have Ksh5,000 deducted before any other applicable deductions, leaving Ksh95,000. The change has caused concern among digital entrepreneurs who depend on YouTube as a major source of income. 

Some creators have criticised the government’s approach, arguing that taxation has been introduced without corresponding measures to support the creative economy. Among the concerns raised are the costs of importing production equipment and accessing internet data. 

One creator criticised the levy as “taking from those who made something out of nothing”, reflecting concerns among young Kenyans who have turned to content creation amid limited formal employment opportunities.

The tax change comes as video platforms play a growing role in Kenya’s media and digital economy. According to the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2026, YouTube has become the country’s leading source of online news, with usage increasing from 54 percent in 2025 to 66 percent in 2026.