Every end of year, the internet floods us with the same lists. Top creators of the year. Biggest numbers. Loudest moments. Most viral clips. Useful? Sometimes. Predictive? Rarely.

That’s exactly why, as Twiva, we decided to do things differently.

This year marks the launch of Twiva’s inaugural “Creators to Watch” list, which will be an annual feature that looks forward instead of backward. Instead of spotlighting the usual suspects who have already dominated timelines and brand decks, we will focus on creators who are building momentum right now. The ones unlocking new creative levels. The ones experimenting, evolving, and quietly positioning themselves for breakout years ahead.

Why Twiva chose a different path

Twiva is a creator-first platform, and that lens changes everything.

Most creator lists are built from a brand-first perspective. Who is safest. Who is most recognizable. Who guarantees reach.

Twiva asked a different question: Who is growing in the right direction? Who is sharpening their craft, deepening their community, and turning content into something sustainable?

This list isn’t about who won the year. It’s about who is winning the next one.

The creators featured here are in that phase where momentum compounds, and those moments are easy to miss if you’re only looking at follower counts.

Welcome to Top Creators to Watch Out For in 2026.

At Twiva, we sit at the intersection of brands and creators. We see firsthand what works and what doesn’t. For our ‘2026 Creators to Watch’ list, we focused on engagement quality, niche authority, production innovation, and the ability to convert audiences into communities.

These 25 individuals, spanning five key categories, are not just participants in the digital economy, they are its future architects. Here is who will be owning your feed in 2026.

Top Creators to Watch Out For in 2026

Category: Lifestyle & Aesthetic Curators

In 2026, lifestyle curation is about intentionality and niche authority. These curators have mastered the art of building high-trust communities around wellness, luxury, and self-care. They don’t just show products; they design aspirations, proving that a well-curated life is the ultimate storefront.

• Carrie Wahu – Clean aesthetics, consistency, and a strong personal brand that resonates with lifestyle and fashion audiences.
• Cera Imani – Effortlessly blends wellness, beauty, and personal storytelling with a strong visual signature.
• Tinashe Mwaniki – Minimalist, intentional content that speaks to a growing audience seeking calm and clarity online.
• Trisha Khalid – A rising voice combining lifestyle storytelling with relatability and visual appeal.
• Wangui Gathogo – Curated aesthetics paired with authenticity, making her content both aspirational and accessible.

Category: Visual Arts & Animation

The boundaries between reality and digital craft have blurred. Visual storytelling has evolved and these artists are the new creative directors of the internet, turning local Kenyan nuances into global visual gold.

• Tunero Animations – A standout in animation-led storytelling, building recognizable characters and narratives that travel far beyond social feeds.
• Ziya Africa – Blending African identity, visual art, and contemporary storytelling in ways that feel globally relevant yet deeply rooted.
• RJ Kareez – A visual artist whose work continues to evolve, pushing style, technique, and expression into new territory.
• Hilarious Aura – Where humor meets visual creativity, delivering content that is both entertaining and visually distinct.
• Ruth Mugo – Consistent, refined, and intentional visual storytelling with growing commercial relevance.

Category: Skit Actors & Performers

Skit acting has matured into a sophisticated form of digital theater and these creators are building storylines with recurring characters that audiences have grown to trust and follow religiously. For brands, this category offers the highest form of “organic” integration, as these creators can weave a product into a story that feels like entertainment rather than an interruption.

• Crazy Kennar – Already a giant, Kennar is “the one to watch” because of his pivot toward silent/visual comedy and high-production ensemble sets. By minimizing language barriers, he is positioning his brand for an international audience.
• King Julius (Wololo Tv) – His ability to capture the “common man” struggle with high energy and consistent quality has built a hyper-loyal mass-market audience.
• Vinnie Baite – Vinnie’s skits connect with a generation that lives online. He stands out because his material often feels like mirror content, audiences see themselves in his jokes.
• MiniCheps – Minicheps doesn’t just act; she designs. By blending her miniature photography art with relatable Kenyan scenarios, her content is inherently “thumb-stopping.”
• Flaqo Raz – Flaqo is no longer just an actor; he is a content studio. His ability to play an entire family with distinct personalities is a masterclass in engagement.

Category: Tech & Sports Analysis

In a landscape dominated by rapid tech advancements and a global obsession with sports, these creators turn complex topics into content people actually want to watch.

• Zoza Sports Cast  – A fresh, analytical approach to sports commentary that balances insight with entertainment.
• Dickson Otieno – Clear, informative tech commentary with a focus on relevance and everyday application.
• James Karanu – Blending sports, tech, and commentary in a way that feels current and data-informed.
• Olive Karmen – A growing voice in analysis-led content with a clear niche and expanding audience.
• Kelvin Mutinda – Consistent, thoughtful breakdowns that position him as a reliable source, not just a commentator.

Category: Knowledge & Social Impact

Kenyan audiences are hungry for empowerment. This category highlights creators who are moving beyond entertainment to drive tangible social impact.

• Clem (@englishwithclem) – Redefining how education content performs online, making learning practical, engaging, and shareable.
• Roy Kanyi – A tech educator who simplifies complexity and consistently experiments with new formats.
• Susan Wanjiku – Personal finance and knowledge-driven content rooted in trust and long-term value.
• Anita Soina – Climate, civic engagement, and youth advocacy wrapped in compelling digital storytelling.
• Valerie Keter – Purpose-driven content that blends social impact with authenticity and consistency.

Category: Gaming & Esports

Gaming is no longer a subculture. With mobile-first gaming dominating the landscape and local circuits gaining legitimacy, these creators are the athletes of the new world.

• Sylvia Gathoni (Queen Arrow) – One of the most recognizable faces in Kenyan gaming, combining skill, personality, and leadership.
• Moses Ndarwa – Building strong gaming communities through engaging, interactive content.
• Brian Diang’a (Thee_Beast3) – Bridging gaming with mentorship and influencer-ship.
• Bukhari Kasim – Competitive energy and consistency in a space that rewards discipline.
• Magdaline Mumbi – A rising voice in gaming content with a growing and loyal audience base.

How we landed on these creators

This wasn’t a popularity contest, and it definitely wasn’t random.

Twiva’s team evaluated creators across categories using criteria that reflect how the modern creator economy actually works:

• Demonstrated momentum over the last one to two years, not just sudden spikes.
• Creative evolution, including new formats, platforms, or storytelling approaches.
• Brand and partnership signals that show trust and commercial readiness.
• Cultural relevance and niche authority, whether mass or highly focused.
• Consistency and professionalism, because longevity beats virality every time.

Many of the creators on this list have achieved meaningful milestones recently, from brand collaborations to platform growth to creative breakthroughs that signal what’s coming next.

Why this list matters

If you’re a brand, this list is your early access pass.
If you’re a creator, it’s a blueprint for sustainable growth.
If you care about the creator economy, it’s a glimpse into where influence is heading next.

The creator economy is maturing. Audiences are more selective. Algorithms are tougher. What’s rising instead is intentional creation, creators building brands, not just feeds.

That’s why Twiva’s Top Creators to Watch will be an annual feature. A living snapshot of Kenya’s evolving creative landscape, spotlighting momentum before it becomes obvious.

This is just the beginning. Join us in this journey as we champion Africa’s creator economy.