BookTok creators are revolutionising the reading culture in Kenya
Kenya today joins the rest of the world in marking World Book and Copyright Day, a global celebration recognising the value of books as a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and a unifying factor across cultures . This year’s celebrations come at a time when reading is undergoing a powerful digital transformation — and Kenyans are right at the heart of it.
A growing online community is driving the revival of Kenya’s reading culture, with more readers actively engaging in global literary conversations through social media. One of the most vibrant communities is #BookTok, a thriving community of book lovers on TikTok with nearly 53 million #BookTok posts on the platform to date and in 2024 alone, approximately 59 million print book sales could be tied to BookTok related creators or content. #BookTok has not only helped inspire a new generation of book lovers, but continues to transform the publishing world by reigniting a love for reading, propelling the careers of new authors and driving book sales.
From book reviews to writing tips, plot reenactments of popular novels and more, #BookTok brings together creators, authors, and bookworms across the world with a shared passion for reading and literature. TikTok continues to be a powerful platform for authors, readers, and book enthusiasts to connect, share their passion, and discover new favorites.
This year’s World Book Day theme encourages young people to read more and share their love of books — whether through libraries, e-books, or digital communities like #BookTok. As methods of reading shift, the heart of storytelling remains the same and Kenya remains an active, proud participant in this global literacy movement.
Popular BookTok Creators in Kenya
As we celebrate World Book Day, it’s clear that TikTok’s book creators are not just influencing what we read—they’re shaping the future of reading itself. Several Kenyan TikTok creators are using #BookTok to share their love for books with followers around the world, one story at a time.
- @themaguga– The Maguga is a man with many talents. He is a photographer, was a blogger, owned a book store and has good taste in books . He shares his all time favourites with his followers on TikTok. Watch here and Watch here
- @eunnyversal She is a self-published author and editor. Despite being a trained engineer, Eunniah chose a life of writing and publishing. She has written four books and edited an anthology of short stories, and was the 2023 Maisha Yetu Young Writer of the Year (Female). She provides book reviews and recommendations to her audience on her TikTok account. Watch here
- @thebook_hermit- With a mix of humor and passion, this avid reader brings books to life for her followers. She offers lively reviews and handy tips on where to find great reads. Watch here
- Lydiaslibrary– has transformed her love for reading into a passion, where she shares insightful book reviews and recommendations, focusing on the best of African literature. She also offers her followers tips to help them start reading books Watch here
- @Mugure.nessa– Mugure takes her audience on a monthly reading adventure through her book club picks. With deep dives, reviews, and relatable commentary, her content is both engaging and enriching. Watch here
- @he1ium– She channeled her love and passion for books into creating Bookish, a game that lets book lovers enjoy and explore their reads in a fun and exciting new way. Watch Here
