Marketing
10 Lessons Kenyan Marketers Learned In 2025
By Linus Kemboi
And just like that, 2025 is almost over. For marketers, it’ s that familiar time again to reflect on what worked, what didn’ t, and what we should leave behind as we head into 2026.
This year, AI became every marketer’ s friend, boosting productivity, creativity, and analytics. But while tech gave us speed, it also raised the bar for what audiences expect. Audiences are now sharper, quicker to respond, and far less forgiving of slow, robotic, or impersonal engagement and those are Kenyans for you.
It’ s no longer enough to run a catchy campaign or post a relatable reel. Today’ s audiences want human relatable stories, timely replies, and brands that actually listen, not just talking to them.
Across industries, marketers have realized that the smallest acts like replying to that DM, responding to a comment, or showing empathy in tone can build more trust than big-budget ads ever could and yes, the impact of that great customer service you offered matters too.
As we wrap up the year, it’ s not just about celebrating the wins we had but also a time to reflect on what truly moved the needle and what we should carry into 2026. Here are 10 lessons I picked that I think Kenyan marketers should carry forward into 2026, and a few habits to leave behind.
Slow Responses Are Silent Brand Killers
You probably saw this one coming first, right? Getting“ social” means more than posting, it means engaging. Brands that responded quickly and empathetically in 2025 won trust and loyalty.
Within 24 hours should be the bare minimum, but imagine responding within an hour during work hours or not more than eight after-hours? That’ s how you set yourself apart.
Acknowledging customers fast, even before a full resolution often diffuses
This year, AI became every marketer’ s friend, boosting productivity, creativity, and analytics. But while tech gave us speed, it also raised the bar for what audiences expect. Audiences are now sharper, quicker to respond, and far less forgiving of slow, robotic, or impersonal engagement and those are Kenyans for you. tension and builds confidence.
Robotic Communication Doesn’ t Work Anymore
“ That’ s GPT!”. We have all seen those frustrated comments online. Kenyan audiences are calling out robotic replies and tone-deaf messaging; they want that human touch.
It’ s not about rejecting automation; AI is a fantastic enabler. But what matters is how you sound. The brands that won hearts in 2025 wrote like real people using the local vibe connection, a touch of humour, and language that felt relatable. The lesson? Speak like your audience, quite simple!
Overcomplicated Campaigns Miss the Mark
Remember the good old KISS principle, Keep it short and simple. It still works. Long captions, jargon, and overly conceptual visuals? Leave them in 2025.
Your audience shouldn’ t need a decoder to understand your message. In 2026, simplicity, clarity, and cultural relevance will cut through the noise. Say less, mean more.
Humanized Audience Engagement
The best-performing brands this year turned monologues into conversations. They engaged, through reels, polls, stories, live sessions, and even user-generated content.
It’ s not just about posting; it’ s about listening and responding. The real power of marketing lies in dialogue, not delivery.
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