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Studies show that the average side gig or side hustle generates $1,122 monthly after dedicating 12 hours a week. Just do some quick math, and you could be the next Kenyan millionaire if you earn that much. But of course, it takes the most profitable side hustle ideas in Kenya to do it.
We are talking about freelance writing, online tutoring, YouTubing, Dropshipping, blogging, Taxi services, photography, Airbnb hosting, home baking, laundry services, home cleaning, small-scale farming, barber tendering/waitressing, Boda-Boda business, and mobile salon.
As you’ll note, some of these ideas are online-based and others offline-based. But still, there are those in between, which means that while you work offline, you need the online platform to get clients or gigs or to market yourself or your product.
Therefore, I’ll discuss the ideas under three categories: online, semi-online, and offline-based. Here’s what you can expect to learn by the time you get to the end of this article.
- What is a side hustle?
- Why do you need a side hustle in Kenya?
- What are the most profitable side hustles in Kenya?
- What are the best side hustles for students in Kenya?
Here we go!
In a hurry? Here’s a quick guide on how to make extra income while working full time in Kenya:
An Overview of the Best Side Hustle Ideas in Kenya
| – | Side Hustle | What to Do: |
| 1. | Freelance Writing | Find online writing jobs on Upwork.com. |
| 2. | Online Tutoring | Get high-paying tutoring jobs on PrePly.com. |
| 3. | YouTubing | Start a YouTube channel and earn from videos. |
| 4. | Dropshipping | Start a Dropshipping business. |
| 5. | Blogging | Launch a blog in a niche you are passionate about |
| 6. | Taxi Service | Join a local ride-hailing platform like Uber, Bolt, or any other. |
| 7. | Photography Service | Work as a photographer online or offline. |
| 8. | Airbnb Hosting | Rent out a home or apartment on Airbnb. |
| 9. | Home Baking | Start making cakes and other baked goods. |
| 10. | Laundry Services | Offer laundry services in your neighborhood |
| 11. | Home Cleaning | Offer home cleaning services in your neighborhood |
| 12. | Small Scale Farming | Start vegetable gardening or animal farming. |
| 13. | Bartending/Waitressing | Become a part-time bartender, waiter or waitress. |
| 14. | Boda-Boda Business | Become a Boda-Boda rider or investor. |
| 15. | Mobile Salon | Offer hairdressing services where the clients are |
What’s A Side Hustle?
A side hustle, sometimes a side gig or side job, is an additional job you take outside your full-time job to boost your income. So, ideally, you have a regular job that pays you, and you dedicate your free time to the side job.
Why Do You Need a Side Hustle in Kenya?
A side hustle is beneficial for these reasons:
- Extra income – By creating a side hustle, you create an additional income stream that allows you to earn more than you ordinarily make on your regular job.
- Focus on passion – Most side hustles are drawn from passion – the things one enjoys doing. Hence, it’s an opportunity to concentrate on something you love.
- Transition to full-time employment – Many people started their businesses as side hustles, and a few months or years later, they could do it full-time.
- Financial stability – Frankly, one income source is never enough, no matter how much you earn. You could lose your primary job, or your business could slump, and it’s at such a time that a side hustle comes to the rescue.
- Career change – A side hustle offers you the chance to switch careers. It’s a way to taste two or more career paths and decide what to take more seriously.
What Are the Most Profitable Side Hustles in Kenya?
Kenya is a land of so many opportunities and has been so for many years. All you ought to do is to seize opportunities when they arise. Below is a breakdown of 15 side hustle ideas to make money in the country.
Best Online Side Hustles in Kenya
1. Freelance Writing
You probably heard about this or tried it while in college. You could still pursue freelance writing even beyond college, and it pays the bill.
One of the best freelance writing platforms is Upwork, where you could make up to $50 an hour doing technical writing, copywriting, blog writing, business writing, newsletter writing, and press release writing.
All you need is good writing skills, exceptional research, and the ability to create original, non-plagiarized work.
2. Online Tutoring
If you are a trained teacher on a small paycheck or just a graduate who is passionate about teaching, you can tutor other kids, especially from abroad, and make money on the side.
A platform like PrePly.com allows you to sign up even without teaching certification and teach anything from academic subjects like math and science to foreign languages like German and English. On average, you can make $15 – $30 an hour as an online tutor.
3. YouTubing
Are you a creative content creator? Then, it’s about time you get started on YouTube. After all, it’s free to do so. You can make money on YouTube by sharing amusing, educational, or informative videos to the local market and the global community.
Celebrities like Churchill, Sauti Sol, Diana Bahati, Crazy Kenner, and Flaqo are milking millions monthly on YouTube. Who knows, you could be the next YouTube millionaire in Kenya!
4. Dropshipping
Did you know you don’t necessarily have to own inventory to sell merchandise online? You got that right, and that’s thanks to Dropshipping. So, how does it work?
You start by finding a product you could sell, such as shoes and clothes, and then talk to the suppliers. Ask if you could advertise for them on social media, and when the order comes, pass them to the supplier.
The customer pays you the retail price, but you pay the supplier wholesale price and keep the difference. That’s it! That’s how you make money Dropshipping!
5. Blogging
Running a blog like this one (centwarrior.com) is a fantastic way to make money on the side. You don’t have to quit your job and could make more than working full-time.
Note that your blog could be on any niche: travel, agriculture, celebrity news, sports, technology, movie reviews, or anything else. You could make Ksh 50,000 – Ksh 200,000 a month blogging if successful.
Semi-online Side Hustle Ideas in Kenya
6. Taxi Services
Consider driving a taxi if you own a car and would love to use it to make money in the evening, early mornings, and weekends when you are not at work.
You can start with local ride-hailing services such as Uber Kenya, Bolt, Little Cab, SWVL, and Wasili. They are among the best payers and have more consistent ride bookings.
7. Photography Side Hustle in Kenya
Do you enjoy taking photographs of people, events, and nature? Are you a skilled photographer finding it hard to make ends meet? You can make a decent income by pursuing photography on the side.
For one, you can sell your photos online on stock image sites like Alamy, iStockPhoto, and Getty Images. Offline, you can partner with event organizers and take pictures at weddings, graduations, and other events.
8. Airbnb Hoisting
If you have a standalone home or sizable apartment, you own but rarely stay there, you could turn it into a rental. Airbnb allows you to rent it out to guests domestically and foreigners.
Depending on the location, size, and amenities within and without the home, you could make Ksh 3,000 – Ksh 10,000 a night as an Airbnb host.
9. Home Baking
If your baking skills are top-notch, people with weddings, anniversary celebrations, graduations, and other events will pay you to make them cakes, cookies, and many baked goods. A standard wedding cake, for example, could earn you Ksh 30,000 – Ksh 50,000, making home baking such a lucrative idea.
Offline Side Hustle Ideas To Make Money In Kenya
10. Laundry ‘Mama Fua’ Services
We all think of them when we have a pile of clothes at home and are too busy or too lazy to get to work. Well, the name ‘Mama Fua’ is synonymous with laundry servicewomen in town settings, but the reality is that Mama Fuas are everywhere, even in the village.
So, if you think you can do this job, you can start from anywhere, including your neighborhood, and make Ksh 300 – Ksh 1,000 per client.
11. Home Cleaning Service
You can also diversify into home cleaning services. At least, this will allow you to make more. Depending on the job and client, you can make Ksh 500 – Ksh 2000 daily, offering home cleaning services in Kenya.
Sometimes, you may need help; if that’s the case, you’ll have to raise your pay.
12. Small Scale Farming
Kenya is an agricultural country. Yet, few people, especially the youth, are ready to get their hands dirty. However, you could earn some decent cash if you consider animal rearing, vegetable farming, or both.
You can opt for animal rearing, and poultry farming or rabbit rearing is a good starting point. And if you fancy vegetable farming, you can’t go wrong with kale, cabbages, and traditional veggies.
13. Bartending/Waitressing
Though sometimes seen as an inglorious job, you can make some good cash working as a bartender, waiter or waitress. It’s among the most rewarding side hustles if you factor in the tips and overtime bonuses. All you’ve to do is remain professional and earn a decent salary.
14. Boda-Boda (Motorcycle) Business
The Boda-Boda sector has been growing alarmingly in recent years, making it one of the key economy drivers. How about you join the industry as a part-time rider?
If you don’t fancy riding the Boda-Boda yourself, you can find someone to hire, and they’ll pay you at the end of the day.
15. Mobile Salon
Lastly, if you have hairdressing skills but are not working at a salon full-time, you can start your mobile salon during your free time. In this case, you can make people pay from home or where they are during the evenings, weekends, and whenever you are free, and you could make good cash.
Best Side Hustles For Students In Kenya
Students can also make money on the side, and here are some of the best online jobs to get started in Kenya:
- Online freelancing mainly freelance writing, transcription, and online proofreading
- Online tutoring
- Social media management
- Photography services
- Blogging
- Stock photography
- Online Marketing
- Crypto trading
- YouTube content creation
- Dropshipping
Concluding Thought
Now you know what are the best side hustle ideas in Kenya. So, if you need extra income, which I believe we all need, these lucrative ideas are worth pursuing. You can also visit our online store to discover more money-making ideas and resources to improve and shape your financial future. See you there!
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