In a small shack on the side of a rural road in Kiambu, on the outskirts of Nairobi , Safari Martins seats his client on a rudimentary chair. Around him, instead of state-of-the-art clippers, there's a shovel, an iron, garden shears, and a wrench. Yet it's here that this unconventional barber performs haircuts that have gone viral, all under the watchful eye of a smartphone that films his every move.
Known online as Chief Safro , Safari Martins wields a razor blade as sharp as a knife. With a few precise strokes across his client's head, the cut takes shape, strikingly clean. This visual signature has allowed him to amass nearly a million followers on Instagram and TikTok, making him one of the most followed barbers in Kenya.
A success born from social networks
Born in Rwanda and now living in Nairobi, Martins started cutting hair in high school in 2018, using borrowed clippers. He worked outside classrooms or in cramped dormitories. The turning point came a few years later when he replaced the traditional clippers with unusual tools and added video to his work. The concept was a hit, and his videos went viral.
Over time, he enriched his world by incorporating stories and symbols from African culture. He claims that some tools, like a sharpened iron, were even blessed by village elders. This staging, blending tradition and audacity, strengthens his image and fosters a loyal audience.
His clients come as much for the haircut as for the experience. Being filmed and appearing on such a popular account is a motivation in itself. They are also willing to pay more. Up to 1,500 Kenyan shillings, or about $12, when a standard haircut in Nairobi often costs ten times less.
Martins' success is part of the explosion in social media use in Kenya . In two years, the number of users has increased from approximately 10,6 million to over 15 million, according to industry data. For some, content creation has become a full-fledged source of income.
But the barber says he's frustrated. Despite millions of views and strong engagement, he believes that influencer barbers are still paid less than other content creators, particularly in gaming or lifestyle, who are more attractive to brands. Recognition is still incomplete for a profession that, with sharp shovel strokes, has conquered digital Africa.
