Best Side Hustles To Start in Kenya.
You are not alone in case you want to make some extra income. As the living standards continue to increase, a majority of the population has resorted to side hustles in Kenya to earn an income to fill the gaps in their pay or even to stop earning it altogether. No matter what you are a student, a stay-at-home parent and a full-time worker, there are endless lucrative side hustle businesses in Kenya that will assist you in becoming financially independent.
List of Side Hustles or Side Jobs to start in Kenya.
| Side Hustle | Estimated Monthly Income (Ksh) | Startup Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancing (Writing, Design, VA) | 30,000 – 150,000 | Low | Offer online services on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. |
| YouTube Content Creation | 20,000 – 300,000+ | Medium | Earn from ads, brand deals, and affiliate links by posting consistent videos. |
| Affiliate Marketing | 10,000 – 200,000+ | Low | Promote digital or physical products and earn commission per sale. |
| Dropshipping / E-commerce | 25,000 – 250,000 | Medium | Run an online store without holding stock using Shopify or Jumia. |
| Social Media Management | 15,000 – 80,000 | Low | Manage small business pages on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. |
| Ride-Hailing (Uber/Bolt/Glovo) | 40,000 – 120,000 | High | Use your car or motorbike for transport and delivery gigs. |
| Home Baking Business | 20,000 – 100,000 | Medium | Bake and sell cakes, pastries, and snacks from home or online. |
| Tutoring (Online & Offline) | 15,000 – 70,000 | Low | Teach primary, high school, or university students for a fee. |
| Mitumba (Thrift Clothes) Sales | 10,000 – 80,000 | Low | Buy and resell second-hand clothes in local markets or online. |
| Photography & Videography | 30,000 – 200,000+ | High | Capture events, weddings, or commercial shoots and sell your services. |
Freelancing Online in Kenya.
Some of the best platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr and Toptal have made freelancing one of the most profitable side hustles in Kenya. The skills that you can offer to earn money include:
- Article writing & blogging.
- Graphic design.
- Website development.
- Virtual assistance.
- Translation & transcription.
Tip: Develop a professional profile, develop a portfolio and make high-demand skills your specialty.
Social Media Management.
In Kenya, social media management is a good side job, in case you are good at content creation. There are numerous small businesses, which require a person to manage their Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.
You can charge monthly at a range of Ksh 10,000 – Ksh 50,000, respectively in relation to work loads.
Dropshipping and E-commerce
It does not need a huge capital to start an online shop. In Kenya, you can dropship products online without stocking them.
Shopping platforms: Shopify, Jumia and Instagram Shops.
Some examples of niches include fashion accessories, phone gadgets, home decor and baby products.
Ride-Hailing and Delivery Services.
Some of the applications such as Bolt, Uber and Glovo have generated consistent revenue among Kenyans. You can register your vehicle or motorbike and get income every day.
Delivery and errands services are also a great side hustle in Nairobi and Mombasa when one does not have a car.
Home Based Businesses
Should you want offline opportunities, consider home-based side-hustle opportunities in Kenya these include:
- Home baking and catering side hustles for women.
- Selling second hand clothes (mitumba).
- Beauty and hairdressing services.
- Online tutoring or offline tutoring.
These ideas needs very little capital and are capable of producing a constant source of income.
YouTube & Content Creation
YouTube is currently a source of side hustles in Kenya. By having regular content and high SEO, you will be able to make money by popping ads, sponsoring and affiliate marketing. Research on how to make money on YouTube Kenya also content creator jobs in Kenya .
Niche ideas: Technology review, food, travel videos or how to do’s.
Affiliate Marketing
One of the most suitable online side hustles in Kenya with a potential of passive income is affiliate marketing. You advertise products and get paid a commission on the number of sales that occurred when buyers used your links.
The most popular ones are Jumia Partners, Amazon associates and ClickBank.
How to Be Successful in A Side Hustle.
The Kenya side hustles that match you in terms of skills, time, and resources are the most appropriate. There are online employment opportunities available to anyone willing to make an extra income in 2025 through online jobs and even small business ideas. Begin small, be focused and see your hustle become a full time business.
