
10 Side Hustles to Boost Your Income in Kenya
Many employed people have looking for alternative ways to boost their income including side hustles that they do on their free time.
A recent Infotrak survey indicates that 73 per cent of Kenyans are either in severe financial distress or struggling to make ends meet with only five per cent comfortably managing.
Considering the circumstances, 45 per cent of Kenyans are engaged in side hustles to supplement income, the report states.
10 Side Hustles to Boost Your Income in Kenya
1. Freelancing
Offer your skills and services on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or local freelancing websites. This could include writing, graphic design, programming, digital marketing, and more.
While freelancers do take on contract work for companies and organizations, they are ultimately self-employed.
Freelancers are responsible for all sorts of things that traditional employees are not, such as setting their work hours, keeping track of time spent on different projects, billing clients, and paying their own employment and business taxes. Freelancers are not considered employees by the companies they work for, but rather contractors who earn on per task or per hour basis.
2. Online tutoring
If you excel in a particular subject or skill, consider offering tutoring services online. As an online tutor, your primary task will be to provide guidance and support to students. Online tutors are needed in nearly every subject and field.
You might assist with course materials, share study strategies, or offer academic advice for tests and projects. Tutoring online is diverse and flexible. Platforms like ElimuPlus, Chegg Tutors, Tutor.com, or even setting up your own online tutoring service can be lucrative.
3. E-Commerce

E-commerce is powered by the internet. Customers use their own devices to access online stores. They can browse products and services that stores offer and place orders. Start an online store and sell products through platforms like Jumia, Kilimall, or even through your own website.
Consider dropshipping, where you sell products without having to handle inventory. E-commerce businesses avoid the costs of running physical stores, such as rent, inventory and cashiers.
Read 5 Side Hustles for Stay at Home Mums and Dads
4. Blogging/Vlogging
If you have a passion for a particular topic, consider starting a blog or YouTube channel. Monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing where you can promote products or services and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral.
This will, however require consistency in coming up with new and exciting content.
Deciding between blogging and vlogging comes down to personal comfort with being on camera, time availability, passion, business goals, and whether you wish to outsource content creation.