2026 Click Awards: Online Publishers Crowned as Kenya’s New Media Moguls

By David Onyango

The 2026 edition of the Click Awards at the University of Nairobi was a step in the right direction towards the formalization of Kenya’s fast-growing digital creator economy.

Organized by Teki under the leadership of Martin Muli, the awards have been lauded for recognizing content creators, digital entrepreneurs, brands, and ecosystem builders shaping the future of online influence.

This year’s theme, “Building Scalable Creator Enterprises in a Regulated Digital Economy,” reflected a major shift in the industry. The conversation was no longer centered purely on viral videos, entertainment, or follower counts. Instead, the focus was on creators building businesses, launching brands, monetizing audiences, and navigating an increasingly regulated digital marketplace.

The day was punctuated by panel discussions where nominated creators shared their journeys to building commercially viable digital platforms. Among the standout speakers was Lucia Musau, Chief Executive Officer of Elite Group Africa, whose presentation drew attention for its focus on personal branding, consistency, and the commercial power of authentic storytelling.

According to the Click Awards organizers, winners were selected through a multi-stage process involving public nominations, screening by judges, shortlist selection, and public voting. Organizers describe the process as a hybrid model combining expert evaluation with audience participation.

A cross-section of winners highlighted the diversity and commercial maturity of Kenya’s creator economy. Among those feted included:

• Fashion Creator Excellence Award: Mercy Kyallo – Yallo Leather
• Digital Media Excellence Award: Eddie Butita – SPM Buzz
• Entertainment Creator Excellence Award: Blessed Njugush – TTNT Series
• Social Impact Creator Excellence Award: Eric Omondi – Sisi Kwa Sisi

For legacy industries such as mainstream media and book publishing, the implications are difficult to ignore.

For decades, publishers controlled the relationship between creators, authors, and audiences. Today, creators on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Meta are building their own distribution channels, monetization systems, and intellectual property portfolios without traditional gatekeepers.

The writer is a research assistant at Free Press Publishers.