Kenya’s academic writing industry has grown into a thriving sector, allowing freelance writers to earn a steady income from home. However, a controversial practice is gaining traction—the buying and selling of academic writing accounts. Writers eager to skip the lengthy account setup process or access high-rated profiles turn to this underground market. While this trade offers quick entry and lucrative opportunities, it raises serious concerns about academic integrity, transparency, and fairness in freelancing.
The market for academic writing accounts is both profitable and risky. Many freelancers seek established accounts to fast-track their careers or gain access to reputable platforms, driving demand for these profiles. But is this trade as harmless as it seems? In this blog, we examine the motivations behind account sales, how transactions unfold, the risks involved, and the ethical challenges the industry must address to evolve responsibly.
A Brief History of the Academic Writing Industry in Kenya
Kenya’s academic writing industry began in the early 2000s, driven by a rising global demand for outsourced academic services. As universities in the United States, Canada, and the UK sought affordable writing assistance, many Kenyan students and graduates seized the opportunity to apply their skills in writing, research, and academic analysis. Freelancers in Kenya started offering a range of services, from essay writing to research papers and dissertations, all designed to help students succeed academically.
Initially, most freelance writers operated independently, without the support of online platforms. However, by the late 2000s and early 2010s, dedicated academic writing platforms such as Essaycore, Uvocorp, EssayPro, Writerbay, and others emerged, providing a structured environment for writers and clients to interact. These platforms offered a safe and reliable way for writers to find consistent work while ensuring students received quality services. Introducing these platforms brought stability to the market and increased competition, driving up the quality of work and professionalism.
As the demand for academic writing services continued to rise, the industry began attracting more Kenyan writers, especially university students and young professionals. By 2015, academic writing had become a staple source of income for many in the country. By this time, some of the platforms had grown to the point where their accounts were seen as valuable assets. For a writer, joining a high-ranking platform like Uvocorp meant access to a pool of well-paying clients, fast-tracked orders, and the opportunity for higher earnings.
The Evolution of Account Buying and Selling
As the industry grew, a parallel and often overlooked market emerged—the buying and selling of academic writing accounts. This market allowed new freelancers to bypass the lengthy process of building a reputation by acquiring high-ranking accounts. Sellers offered profiles with established order histories, positive reviews, and high ratings—factors essential for attracting high-paying clients.
Initially, freelancers traded accounts informally through social media and word-of-mouth. However, as demand increased, dedicated websites and online communities emerged to facilitate these transactions. Platforms like “Accounts Place Kenya” now serve as marketplaces where sellers list established accounts. What started as a modest exchange quickly evolved into a high-stakes market, with top-tier accounts selling for $1,000 or more.
The price for accounts can vary depending on several factors:
- Account Rating: Accounts with high ratings from clients can fetch significantly higher prices. These accounts have the advantage of trust and credibility, which is essential when attracting new clients.
- Order History: An Account with a large number of completed orders is valued more, as they show a proven track record of delivering quality work.
- Platform Reputation: Accounts on established platforms like Uvocorp, which offer higher-paying assignments, tend to be priced higher.
- Specialization: Accounts that specialize in subjects like law, medicine, or engineering are more expensive due to the higher demand for these fields and the expertise required.
Some accounts, particularly those with an established and reputable history, have now reached prices that rival full-time freelance gigs. As a result, more and more writers are resorting to buying these accounts to kick-start their careers or boost their chances of earning quickly.
The Process of Buying and Selling Accounts
The process of buying and selling academic writing accounts typically involves a few key steps:
- Listing and Advertising: Sellers list their accounts on platforms like Accounts Place or Facebook groups dedicated to freelance writing. These listings include details such as the platform name, account rating, order history, and pricing.
- Negotiation: Buyers and sellers negotiate the price based on the value of the account. This may involve some back-and-forth, especially when discussing the account’s history, client reviews, and any other additional benefits.
- Account Transfer: Once an agreement is reached, the seller provides the buyer with the account login details. Sometimes, the seller may also offer guidance on how to navigate the platform effectively or provide any existing client contacts or work templates.
- Verification: Buyers are advised to thoroughly verify the account to ensure it is still active, that no penalties or sanctions have been placed on it, and that all information provided by the seller is truthful. Some platforms have specific rules that prohibit transferring accounts, so careful scrutiny is necessary.
The Dark Side of Selling Academic Writing Accounts
While the buying and selling of academic writing accounts has undoubtedly opened doors for many freelancers, the practice is not without its darker consequences. As the trade continues to thrive, numerous ethical and practical issues have surfaced, revealing the potential harm it can cause both within the academic writing industry and in the broader educational ecosystem.
1. Accounts Are Sold to Inexperienced and Unqualified Writers
A major concern with buying and selling academic writing accounts is the risk of inexperienced or unqualified individuals taking over established accounts. High ratings, completed orders, and positive reviews may give the illusion of credibility, but they do not guarantee the buyer’s ability to deliver quality work. Many accounts end up in the hands of writers who lack the necessary skills or academic expertise to handle assignments effectively.
This issue becomes even more apparent when less-skilled writers take on complex academic projects requiring subject-specific knowledge. Instead of genuinely assisting students, these buyers may copy content from unreliable sources or use poor research methods, producing low-quality work that fails to meet academic standards. Such practices not only hurt students’ academic performance but also damage the credibility of academic writing platforms, making it harder for clients to trust their services.
2. Inability of Academic Platforms to Effectively Regulate Writers
Despite efforts to maintain quality and fairness, academic writing platforms struggle to regulate the vast number of writers using their services, especially when accounts change hands. Platforms establish guidelines to prevent account transfers, yet the high volume of behind-the-scenes transactions makes enforcement difficult.
The problem worsens due to the lack of a comprehensive verification process for assessing the qualifications of writers who purchase these accounts. Without a strong system to ensure that only skilled professionals handle complex academic projects, platforms remain vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation. This weak oversight increases the risk of account misuse, poor-quality work, and client dissatisfaction.
3. Promoting Cheating in Schools and Academia
The most concerning issue with buying and selling academic writing accounts is its role in promoting cheating and academic dishonesty. Students who purchase essays or papers from these platforms bypass the learning process. Instead of developing their knowledge, they rely on writers who may lack expertise in the subject.
By submitting work from unqualified writers, students risk turning in plagiarized or poorly executed papers, which can severely impact their academic standing. Frequent use of these services creates dependency, leading students to buy assignments instead of researching and learning independently. This behavior fuels a culture of cheating, where education becomes a transaction rather than a journey of intellectual growth.
4. The Impact on Academic Integrity and Reputation
Academic integrity is the foundation upon which the entire education system stands. However, by facilitating the buying and selling of accounts, these platforms inadvertently promote academic dishonesty. When students turn to these services for help, the line between legitimate academic support and unethical behavior becomes increasingly blurred.
Moreover, as more unqualified writers gain access to established accounts and complete assignments on behalf of students, the reputation of academic writing platforms is tarnished. Some platforms may be complicit in turning a blind eye to these practices, simply prioritizing profits over ethical concerns. As these practices spread, the platforms themselves risk being associated with cheating and unethical academic behavior, which can harm their credibility in the long term.
5. Financial Exploitation and Unregulated Market
The buying and selling of academic writing accounts create an unregulated financial market where prices fluctuate wildly without transparency or fairness. Sellers set high prices for accounts with long histories or strong ratings, sometimes charging $1,000 or more. This inflated pricing system exploits freelancers eager to enter the market. Many invest large sums to acquire accounts, yet they receive no guarantee of success or quality work.
Additionally, many writers who purchase accounts overlook the hidden costs of maintaining them. They must pay subscription fees, platform charges, and other expenses. Some keep investing money without ever recovering their initial costs, especially if they lack the writing skills needed to thrive.
6. The Emotional Toll on Freelancers
Many freelancers, especially those who buy established accounts, face overwhelming pressure to maintain high ratings and complete large volumes of work. This intense workload often leads to burnout and mental health struggles. Many writers accept tasks they lack the skills to complete, pushing themselves to meet unrealistic deadlines while delivering high-quality work. They constantly fear losing account access or facing suspension for subpar performance. These stressful and exploitative conditions make long-term sustainability in the industry difficult.
Moreover, the sale of academic accounts creates a reputation-driven environment. Freelancers go to great lengths to protect their status, even if it means compromising their values or using unethical practices. Some plagiarize or cut corners to complete assignments, knowing their financial survival depends on keeping their accounts active. The pressure to maintain earnings forces many into difficult ethical dilemmas.
Writer’s thoughts
The buying and selling of academic writing accounts in Kenya offer new freelancers an entry point. However, this practice has led to ethical, financial, and regulatory challenges. To reduce these issues, platforms must enforce stricter rules on account transfers. They should also develop better systems to verify writers’ qualifications. Freelancers must adopt responsible practices that prioritize quality and academic integrity over profit. Only through collaboration and reform can the industry create an ethical and sustainable environment for both writers and clients.
