In a world where costs are rising but salaries are staying the same, a side hustle isn’t just nice to have — it’s necessary. The good news? You don’t need thousands to get started. In fact, some of the most profitable side hustles in Kenya today require little to no startup capital. Side Hustles You Can Start in Kenya.
Here are 10 side hustles you can start right now — with zero investment but a lot of potential.
1. Freelance Writing
If you have a good command of English and can write clearly, you’re already sitting on a skill people will pay for. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and TranslatorsCafe connect you to global clients.
💡 Tip: Start by writing sample articles (even for free) to build a portfolio.
2. Online Transcription
Sites like Rev.com, GoTranscript, and Scribie pay you to transcribe audio into text. All you need is a laptop, headphones, and good listening skills.
💸 Average pay: Ksh 1,000 – 3,000 per hour of audio transcribed.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Promote products online and earn a commission for each sale. You don’t need your own product — just a smart way to share links.
🎯 Start with:
- Jumia Affiliate Program (local)
- Amazon Associates (global)
- AI tools like Notion, Jasper, Canva (international high-paying programs)
4. Dropservicing (Service Arbitrage)
You sell a service (e.g., logo design, social media management) to a client, then outsource it cheaply to someone else and keep the profit.
📍 Example: Sell a logo for Ksh 5,000, outsource it on Fiverr for Ksh 1,500.
5. Blogging or YouTube
Yes — this right here. Start sharing what you know. With patience and the right strategy (SEO, content, consistency), blogs and YouTube channels can earn through:
- Ads (Google AdSense)
- Affiliate links
- Brand deals
👉 If you’re reading this on Infoyote, this is me living this hustle already.
6. Online Tutoring
Are you good at math, Kiswahili, English, coding, or science? You can tutor students online via Zoom or WhatsApp and earn hourly.
🎯 Tools: Google Docs, WhatsApp, Zoom, PDF worksheets
💡 Bonus tip: Niche down — e.g., KCSE math only, or beginners in coding.
7. Social Media Management
Many small businesses are online, but don’t know how to manage Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook properly. If you can create simple posts and reply to messages — boom. You’ve got a hustle.
📍 Pro tip: Use Canva for free graphics.
8. Online Surveys & Microtasks
Not the highest-paying, but a good way to earn lunch money when starting out.
- Sites like Swagbucks, Remotasks, ySense
- Tasks include watching videos, testing apps, or image labeling
9. WhatsApp Reselling
Join WhatsApp groups where people post trending products (clothes, shoes, gadgets), repost to your own network, take orders, and earn a margin.
💸 Zero stock needed. You only buy when someone orders.
10. Virtual Assistant (VA) Work
Handle admin tasks for busy entrepreneurs like managing email, scheduling, or doing research. The demand is huge globally — and VAs in Kenya are winning big.
🎯 Start with Upwork, Facebook groups, or direct outreach on LinkedIn.
Final Thoughts
Side hustles aren’t just about making extra cash — they’re about building freedom. Whether you want to pay off debt, save for something big, or eventually go full-time on your own terms, these options can get you there.
You don’t need a huge bank balance to start — you just need a phone, a laptop, and a willingness to learn.
Want to see more of these?
Stick around. I’ll be breaking down each of these in more detail — with real strategies, tools, and results.
💬 Got questions? Drop them in the comments below or message me — I reply.
Let’s build. Let’s learn. Let’s hustle smarter.
– Infoyote
