X is changing how creators make money on the platform, replacing its Creator Revenue Sharing programme with a new Original Content Rewards Program.
The change will affect creators who currently rely on X monetization, with the old programme ending on September 7, 2026, and the new system taking over from September 8.
Since X started monetizing in 2023, many Kenyan creators used the rollout, paying for verification and active engagement, which in turn translated to impressions that were payable every two weeks.
X Ends Creator Revenue Sharing Programme
X announced on August 7 that it had stopped accepting new enrolments into the Creator Revenue Sharing programme. Existing participants will continue earning under the old system up to September 7.
According to X, current members will receive three final payouts. Two payments are scheduled for August 14 and August 28, followed by a final payment for earnings accumulated up to September 7, expected around September 11.
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The platform is replacing the system with Original Content Rewards, which is designed to reward creators producing original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity and commentary.
Under the new programme, X will focus on qualified impressions generated by original content. The platform’s definition of original material includes content such as original writing, reporting, analysis, videos, photographs, graphics and meaningful commentary. Reposts and repurposed material that does not add sufficient original value will not qualify in the same way.
This represents a shift away from simply generating large amounts of engagement and towards rewarding creators for producing material that is genuinely their own.
How Kenyan Creators Can Qualify
For Kenyan creators, the first requirement is that the creator must be 18 years or older and live in a country where the Original Content Rewards programme is available.
Creators must also maintain an account in good standing, without a history of repeatedly violating X’s Monetization Standards or Terms of Service. The account must be either a Personal or Business account.
On July 19, several Kenyan X accounts were suspended as part of the platform’s intensified crackdown on engagement farming, spam, and inauthentic activity.
Among the accounts reportedly suspended were Dawood (@Entr_dawood), Mlachake (@mlachaks254), Skeka (@realskeka), Mwalimu Josh (@Josh001J), Bandit, Miss Lingard, Kenyan Fever, Niko Kadi, Richie, Osama Novara, Mkenya Daima, and Kate, also known as LadyKatin.
According to discussions on Kenyan Twitter (KOT), several affected accounts were initially placed under temporary restrictions, or “paused,” before being fully suspended. After a week, the accounts were reinstated.
Another requirement is an active subscription to X Premium, Premium+, or Premium Business.
For creators choosing the standard Premium plan, X currently lists the price at KSh 323.50 per month for the first two months under a 50% discount offer. The plan includes the verified checkmark, enhanced Grok access, advanced analytics, reduced advertising, boosted replies, the ability to write Articles, and access to X’s creator monetization features.
The higher-tier Premium+ plan is listed at KSh 2,580 per month for the first two months under the 50% discount offer. It includes everything in Premium, while adding features such as a fully ad-free experience, SuperGrok, the highest reply boost, Radar Advanced Search, X Pro and access to the Handle Marketplace.
Creators must also have at least 500 verified followers.
The new programme also introduces a specific audience threshold. An applicant must have accumulated at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users during the previous 90 days. Impressions generated through replies are excluded from this calculation.
Creators must additionally post original content regularly.
This means a Kenyan creator with hundreds of thousands of ordinary followers may not necessarily qualify if the account does not meet the specific verified-follower and verified-user impression requirements.
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How Creators Will Apply and Earn
Once a creator meets the requirements, applications can be made through Creator Studio → Original Content Rewards.
Existing Revenue Sharing participants will also need to meet the new requirements and apply for the replacement programme rather than being automatically transferred.
According to X, the new programme is intended to reward creators who contribute original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity and commentary to the platform.
The new programme will begin accepting applications from September 8, 2026, after the existing Creator Revenue Sharing programme completes its final earning period on September 7.
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