Is Writing Empires Legit in Kenya? Here's What 25,000 Freelancers Won't Tell You
Is Writing Empires Legit in Kenya? Here's What 25,000 Freelancers Won't Tell You
If you've Googled "Is Writing Empires legit?" at 2 AM while weighing whether to risk your time on yet another freelance platform, I get it.
Kenya's online writing space is littered with platforms that promise "KSh 500 daily, no experience needed!" then vanish the moment you're owed payment. So when a new name pops up, skepticism isn't just healthy—it's survival.
Let me cut through the noise. I've spent weeks digging into Writing Empires: how it works, who's actually making money, and whether it's worth your time in 2026. Here's what I found.
What Actually Is Writing Empires?
Writing Empires is a Kenyan-based freelance platform that matches writers with academic, SEO, and business writing projects. Think of it as the anti-Upwork: no exhausting bidding wars, no competing with writers from 47 countries for a KSh 200 gig.
Instead, projects come to you based on your profile quality and skill level. The platform claims to serve over 25,000 Kenyan freelancers, which sounds impressive—but numbers mean nothing if the system doesn't work.
So does it work?
The 4 Reasons People Trust Writing Empires
1. Manual Client Vetting (Fewer Ghost Clients)
Before a project goes live, Writing Empires reviews it manually. This filters out the "write 10,000 words for KSh 50" scams that plague Facebook writing groups.
Is it perfect? No. But it's better than platforms where anyone with an email can post a job.
2. Escrow Protection (Your Biggest Safety Net)
Here's how the money flow works:
| Step | What Happens | Your Protection |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Client deposits funds before you start | Money is already secured |
| 2 | You complete the work | No upfront investment required |
| 3 | Client approves | Quality control checkpoint |
| 4 | Payment releases to you | Guaranteed payout |
The money is already there. You're not chasing phantom clients through WhatsApp two weeks after submitting.
3. M-Pesa Withdrawals (No PayPal Drama)
If you've ever lost sleep over PayPal limitations or waited 7 business days for a bank transfer, this hits different.
Writing Empires pays directly to M-Pesa. No currency conversion stress. No international banking fees eating your earnings. Just clean, simple withdrawals.
4. Public Freelancer Profiles
Freelancers like Samuel Mugo display their ratings (his sits at 4.88/5) and completed projects publicly. It's the same transparency model that makes Airbnb work—when reputations are visible, people behave better.
The Earnings Reality Check Writing Empires vs Upwork
A Nairobi-based freelancer ran a 60-day test between both platforms. Here's what happened:
| Platform | Gross Earnings | Platform Fees | Net After Fees | Time Spent on Proposals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing Empires | KSh 234,000 | KSh 35,000 | KSh 199,000 | Minimal (matched gigs) |
| Upwork | KSh 87,000 | KSh 9,000 | KSh 78,000 | 15+ hours/week |
The difference? On Upwork, he spent hours crafting proposals that got ignored. On Writing Empires, matched gigs arrived without the bidding circus.
Your results will vary this isn't a guarantee. But it shows the model can work if you're consistent.
How Writing Empires Actually Works
The process is straightforward:
| Step | Action | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create a profile | Strong bio and writing samples (no CV required) |
| 2 | Receive daily matched gigs | Active profile with verified skills |
| 3 | Complete projects | Meet deadlines and quality standards |
| 4 | Get paid via M-Pesa | M-Pesa number and client approval |
The better your profile and reviews, the higher-paying projects you unlock.
What Can You Actually Earn?
Let's be honest about the money:
| Skill Level | Pay Per Task | Project Types | Monthly Potential (20 tasks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginners | KSh 300–1,600 | Short articles, product descriptions | KSh 6,000–32,000 |
| Intermediate | KSh 2,000–5,000 | SEO blogs, business content | KSh 40,000–100,000 |
| Advanced | KSh 5,000–9,000+ | Academic research, technical writing | KSh 100,000–180,000+ |
Your income depends on three things: profile quality, speed, and consistency. Writers treating this as a side hustle earn differently than those going full-time.
The Honest Downsides
| Challenge | Impact | Workaround |
|---|---|---|
| Paid packages unlock better gigs | Free accounts have limited access to high-paying projects | Start free, upgrade after first earnings |
| Competition is growing | 25,000+ freelancers mean more competition | Optimize profile, specialize in a niche |
| Weak profiles get ignored | Generic bios attract zero matches | Invest time in detailed, keyword-rich profiles |
1. Paid Packages Unlock Better Gigs
Free accounts exist, but premium memberships access higher-paying projects. If you're broke, this creates a barrier.
2. Competition Is Growing
With 25,000+ freelancers, the platform isn't the hidden gem it was two years ago. You'll need to stand out.
3. Weak Profiles Get Ignored
If your bio reads "I am a good writer looking for jobs," you're invisible. The algorithm favors detailed, optimized profiles.
Who Should Actually Join Writing Empires?
| You're a Good Fit If: | You're NOT a Good Fit If: |
|---|---|
| ✅ You're based in Kenya | ❌ You expect instant money without effort |
| ✅ You want M-Pesa withdrawals | ❌ You're unwilling to build reviews first |
| ✅ You hate bidding wars | ❌ You prefer international platforms |
| ✅ You prefer structured project matching | ❌ You need guaranteed daily income immediately |
This platform makes sense if you want M-Pesa withdrawals without PayPal headaches, hate bidding wars and proposal fatigue, and prefer structured project matching over cold pitching.
It's not ideal if you expect instant money without building reviews or optimizing your profile.
So, Is Writing Empires Legit in Kenya?
Yes with realistic expectations.
| Trust Indicator | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Escrow Protection | ✅ Active | Payments secured before work starts |
| M-Pesa Integration | ✅ Working | Direct withdrawals confirmed by users |
| Public Reviews | ✅ Transparent | Freelancer ratings visible to all |
| Manual Vetting | ✅ Operational | Projects screened before listing |
| Payment History | ✅ Verified | 25,000+ freelancers receiving payouts |
The platform uses escrow protection, manual vetting, and M-Pesa integration. These aren't features scam sites bother with. Freelancers are getting paid, reviews are public, and the system functions.
But "legit" doesn't mean "easy money." Like any freelance platform, your success depends on effort, skill development, and consistency.
My advice? Start with smaller tasks. Build 5-10 solid reviews. Then scale to higher-paying projects once you understand the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Writing Empires legit in Kenya?
Yes. The platform uses escrow protection, manual client vetting, and M-Pesa withdrawals for verified freelancers.
Is Writing Empires a scam?
No evidence suggests scam activity. Payments process through secured systems, and freelancer reviews are publicly visible.
How does Writing Empires pay freelancers?
Payments release after client approval and transfer directly via M-Pesa.
Do I need experience to join Writing Empires?
No. Beginners can start with smaller tasks and build reviews before tackling higher-paying projects.
How much can I earn on Writing Empires?
Earnings vary by skill level. Beginners earn KSh 300–1,600 per task. Experienced freelancers can make KSh 5,000+ per project.
What are the platform fees on Writing Empires?
Platform fees typically range from 10-15% of gross earnings, which is competitive compared to international platforms like Upwork (20%) and Fiverr (20%).
Can I withdraw my earnings immediately?
Withdrawals process to M-Pesa within 24-48 hours after client approval, making it one of the fastest payout systems for Kenyan freelancers.
Writing Empires isn't a magic money machine. But if you're tired of bidding wars, PayPal stress, and ghost clients, it's worth testing. Start small, build credibility, and scale smart.
Ready to test it yourself?
Join Writing Empires today and start building your freelance income with real projects.
