Comedian and digital content creator Eddie Butita has advised President William Ruto to monetise his Facebook page.
Speaking during an engagement forum between Meta, the government and Kenyan content creators, Butita told the President that now he has a chance to make more money through his Facebook page which has millions of followers.
"Last year Mr President you mentioned that I earn more than your salary. I think this year you will overtake me because you will overtake me because you have a Facebook page. All you need to do is to monetise it and you will make some good money, after tax," Butita said amidst laughter from the congregants.
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Butita spoke following an announcement that Meta would allow content creators in Kenya to monetise their content on Facebook and Instagram as from June 2024.
"we've poured our hearts and souls with hopes that one day we'll achieve and increase financial rewards. This is a day that our passions will translate into sustainable income. Furthermore, the creative industry has employed a lot of youths. Enabling this industry has a lot of benefits and contributes positively to the GDP also because we create content that is consumed both locally and internationally," Butita said.
"As Meta introduces monetisation opportunities that revolutionalise how content creators like me operate, I will urge all content creators to seize these opportunities and create meaningful and engaging content," Butita added.
Speaking during the meeting, Ruto termed June as a "turning point" for content creators in Kenya, who will add to the list of platforms where they can monetise their content.
"June will be a turning point for our content creators! They will begin monetisation of their content as part of our efforts to create jobs for the youth," Ruto said.
"I received assurances in June that all our creators would have the opportunity to monetize their content and access associated commerce. This initiative aligns perfectly with our bottom-up agenda, ensuring that everyone, starting from the grassroots level, has a chance to thrive. I am also encouraged by the creators' awareness of tax implications."
Facebook monetization
According to Nick Clegg, Facebook's President of Global Affairs, Kenyan creators will have the opportunity to earn revenue through various channels across Facebook and Instagram, including in-stream ads in their content, Facebook Stories, Instagram subs, and IG gifs.
Ruto revealed that creators will be able to receive their payments through mobile money networks, eliminating the need for credit cards.
"Furthermore, I am delighted that the monetization process will be facilitated through M-Pesa. This is significant as not everyone has access to credit cards, and leveraging a platform as accessible as M-Pesa will benefit a broader range of individuals," he added.
Currently, most content creators in Kenya are earning through YouTube and X (formerly Twitter). However, for them to earn through X, they have to pay for verification in order to monetise their accounts.
