Top 10 Best Side Hustles in Kenya

Updated 26 October 2026

A side hustle in Kenya works best when it uses a skill you already have, needs little money to start and fits around your main job or studies. This list ranks ten practical options by how easy they are to start, and for each one explains what you need, how you get paid and the rules to know. We have not put income figures on them, because earnings depend on your market, hours and prices, and anyone promising a fixed amount per week is usually selling something.

The ten side hustles at a glance

1. Online freelancing

Writing, graphic design, web development, data entry, transcription and virtual assistance can all be sold to clients abroad. The hard part for many Kenyans has been getting paid. Upwork lets Kenyan freelancers withdraw straight to M-Pesa, while platforms such as Fiverr pay into PayPal, which you can then move to M-Pesa through Safaricom’s PayPal link. Our guide to online jobs that pay via M-Pesa explains each payment route and the platforms that accept Kenya residents. Start with one service you can deliver well, build three or four strong samples and price modestly until you have reviews.

2. Tutoring and home lessons

Parents pay for help with mathematics, sciences, languages and exam revision, especially in the months before national exams. You can teach in homes in your estate, in small groups or online. Good tutors win most of their clients through referrals, so start with a few families, keep a simple record of each learner’s progress and share it with parents. If you are a trained teacher employed by the government, check the TSC code of conduct before taking paid private lessons.

3. Selling on social media and WhatsApp

Clothes, shoes, cosmetics, kitchenware and phone accessories sell well through WhatsApp status, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook Marketplace. You can hold a small stock or take orders and buy from a wholesaler only when a customer pays. The keys are clear photos, honest descriptions, quick replies and reliable delivery through a boda boda rider or a parcel service.

For payments, Pochi la Biashara is the simplest start. It is a separate business balance on your personal M-Pesa line, set up on *334# with no paperwork. A Buy Goods till suits you better once customers expect to pay nothing at the counter. Our comparison of Pochi, till or Paybill sets out who pays the fees on each option.

4. Baking and home-cooked food

Cakes for birthdays, packed lunches for office workers, chapati, mandazi and samosas for nearby kiosks, and weekend meal prep for busy families are all steady sellers. Start with orders from friends and colleagues and take photos of everything you make. If you sell food regularly, talk to your county health office about the food handler’s certificate and premises requirements, because counties enforce them.

5. Event services

Weddings, graduations, ruracio, birthdays and corporate end-year parties need photographers, videographers, MCs, decorators, tent and chair hire, and DJs. This hustle costs more to start because of equipment, but many people begin by renting gear or working as an assistant to an established vendor. December and the school holidays are busy, so plan your marketing in the months before.

6. Small-scale urban farming

Kitchen gardens, sack gardens, mushrooms, poultry and microgreens can supply neighbours, groceries and restaurants. Choose something you can sell nearby so that transport does not eat your margin. Before keeping poultry or livestock in town, check your county’s by-laws and any estate rules, since many residential areas restrict them.

7. Phone, laptop and electronics repair

Screen replacements, battery changes, software fixes and laptop servicing are in demand everywhere. A short practical course at a technical institute and a basic toolkit are enough to start. Be clear with customers about which parts are original and which are compatible copies, and give a short warranty on your work. Trust is what brings repeat business.

8. Laundry and cleaning services

Many working residents in estates and apartment blocks will pay for weekly laundry, house cleaning, carpet and sofa cleaning, or move-in and move-out cleaning. You can start with your own hands and basic supplies, then buy a carpet-cleaning machine once demand is steady. Agree a clear price list and what each job includes before you start.

9. CV writing and job application help

Job seekers pay for well-written CVs, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles and interview preparation. If you work in HR or write well, this is one of the cheapest hustles to start. Keep a portfolio of anonymised before-and-after samples. You can point clients to current vacancies on Job in Kenya so the CV you write is tailored to a real advert.

10. Content creation

YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and blogs can earn through brand deals, affiliate links and platform payouts, but income usually takes many months to build. Pick a niche you can post about consistently, such as cooking, personal finance, farming or tech reviews, and treat it as a long-term project rather than quick money. Earnings from platforms and brands are taxable income like any other.

Making your side hustle legal and tax-compliant

Once a side hustle becomes regular, a few formalities protect you:

• KRA PIN. You need one for most payments and contracts. See how to get a KRA PIN.
• County business permit. If you trade from a fixed place, your county issues a single business permit, and the fee depends on location, business type and size. Our guide on applying for a single business permit explains the process.
• Turnover Tax. KRA charges Turnover Tax at 1.5% of gross sales for resident businesses with turnover above KSh 1 million and up to KSh 25 million a year, filed by the 20th of the following month. Use our Turnover Tax calculator to see what you would owe.
• VAT. If your turnover from VAT-able goods or services reaches KSh 5 million a year, KRA requires you to register for VAT.

Keep your hustle’s money separate from your personal spending, for example in Pochi la Biashara or a separate bank account. It makes it easier to see whether you are really making a profit.

How to choose the right side hustle

1. Start from a skill. What do people already ask you to help with?
2. Check demand nearby. Ask five potential customers whether they would pay, and how much.
3. Keep start-up costs low. Test with orders before buying stock or equipment.
4. Protect your main job. Read your employment contract for any rules on outside work or conflicts of interest.
5. Track every shilling. Record sales and costs from day one.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest side hustle to start in Kenya?

Tutoring, CV writing, laundry services and selling on WhatsApp need the least money to start. Online freelancing is easy to start if you already have a laptop and a skill clients pay for.

Do I need a business permit for a side hustle?

If you trade from a fixed place, your county will usually require a single business permit. Purely online services may not need premises, but you still need a KRA PIN and must declare income.

Do I pay tax on side hustle income?

Yes. Income from a side business is taxable. Small businesses with turnover above KSh 1 million and up to KSh 25 million a year can pay Turnover Tax at 1.5% of gross sales.

How do I receive payments for a side hustle?

Pochi la Biashara is the quickest option for a sole trader. A Buy Goods till or a Paybill suits a growing business. Online freelancers can withdraw from Upwork directly to M-Pesa.

Can I run a side hustle while employed?

Usually yes, but check your contract and any code of conduct for rules on outside work, especially in the public service.

Sources: Kenya Revenue Authority guidance on Turnover Tax and VAT registration; Safaricom product information on Pochi la Biashara, Buy Goods and Paybill; Upwork help centre on direct-to-wallet withdrawals; Kenya eProcedures portal (KenInvest) on county single business permits.