In the wake of the prevailing economic hardships In Kenya, having a side hustle has become a necessity. 

The good news is that with a smartphone and internet connection, you can create your own stream of steady income. 

A 2024 study by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) reports that at least 34.5 million Kenyans have smartphones, with at least 40.8% of the population having access to the internet. 

In this article, Bizna has compiled a list of 10 online side hustles you can do with your smartphone in Kenya: 

• Become a content creator

The internet has created endless opportunities for one to monetize their creativity. As a content creator, your job will be to record content (mostly videos) and post them on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. 

All you need is a smartphone with a good camera (to ensure video quality), a ring light to illuminate your face as you record your videos, and a microphone for optimal sound quality. 

As a content creator, your revenue streams include brand endorsements, adverts, and sponsorships. For instance, comedian Mulamwah is on record for disclosing that Kenyan content creators earn an average of sh 60 000 for every 1 million views they get on YouTube. 

• Become a graphic designer 

Becoming a graphic designer using platforms like Canva is an excellent online side hustle if you have a smartphone and an internet connection. 

You can create posters, logos, social media posts, business cards, and other graphic materials for individuals, brands and businesses. To begin, all you need is a basic understanding of design principles, which can be easily learned through tutorials available on YouTube or other free resources online. 

Once you get the hang of it, you can offer your design services to clients. For posters and logos, you can charge between sh 250 – 500 depending on their complexity. 

• Complete Micro jobs

Micro jobs entail completing short and easy tasks, typically within 10 – 20 minutes.  Examples of micro jobs include data entry, answering simple questions, tagging objects in images, and writing short bits of content. 

Many of these jobs are run by Artificial Intelligence companies and are used in training AI models. The pay varies depending on the tasks and the platform you work for. However, you need to understand from the outset that you won’t make a lot of money doing micro work, and that you may only earn a few dollars per day at most. 

Examples of platforms where you can get micro jobs are: Reviewzerz, gloot, TaskRabbit, Microworkers, and Click Worker.

• Sell eBooks

eBooks are electronic books that can be read via computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. They are easy to access and distribute, which makes selling them a lucrative side hustle. 

In 2023, a study by the Writers Guild Kenya established that 85% of Nairobi residents read regularly, with Kenyans spending an average of sh 1, 328 on reading materials monthly. Additionally, 42% of these readers prefer soft-copy materials like eBooks. 

You can write ebooks on topics like farming, entrepreneurship, relationships, or other topics that interest you. Alternatively, you can partner with authors and market their ebooks, then you earn a commission every time someone purchases the ebook. 

There is no startup cost incurred, and you can scale up your business as you grow. 

• Become a digital news reporter 

If you have a nose for trending topics, you can become a digital news reporter for online news platforms and established media houses. And no, you don’t need a notebook and a camera crew. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection. 

For instance, Royal-media-owned Citizen runs a program called Wananchi reporting, where you can earn by sharing interesting stories you may have witnessed in your neighborhood. 

The stories can be in pictures, text, or video format. The platform pays sh 1000 for each story that is successfully published. 

• Become a social media manager 

According to Business Daily, there were 13 million social media users in Kenya in 2024, which translates to approximately 24% of the country’s population. 

To take advantage of this audience, many businesses and brands have embraced social media marketing, creating demand for social media managers. This could be an ideal side hustle for someone who understands how to create viral posts, analyze trends, and grow an online audience. 

In Kenya, social media managers make approximately sh 10 000 – 50 000 depending on the brand. 

• Become a WhatsApp blogger

At least 56% of Kenyans are on WhatsApp, according to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya. 

You can leverage this audience to start a blog, grow an audience, and sell your products or services. All you have to do is create a WhatsApp group, invite members to join, and start posting. 

Justine Nyachieo is one example of an entrepreneur who has leveraged WhatsApp as a business platform. Through his group, dubbed Profitable Business Ideas, he shares insights into the most profitable businesses in Kenya. He has attracted an audience of about 200 members, whom he monetizes by charging them for guidance on how to venture into agribusiness, freelancing, and entrepreneurship.  

This is a low-cost, zero-expense venture, with the only requirement being a smartphone and internet connection. 

• Become a book reviewer

If you love reading books and sharing your opinions about them, becoming a book reviewer might be an ideal side hustle for you.  

As a book reviewer, your work will be to read books, write your honest feedback about them, and get paid. 

This may sound too good to be true, but there are numerous platforms that pay good money to avid bookworms like you. One such platform is Online Book Club, which pays between $5-$60 to reviewers. Other platforms include Reedsy, and Kirkus Media, among others. 

All you need to do is sign up on these platforms, accept the terms and conditions, and start earning.

• Become an online surveyor 

Companies are constantly seeking consumer opinions, and online surveys have become an alluring way of making extra cash. 

To make money through surveys, all you have to do is sign up on survey platforms like Timebucks, Surveoo, or Swagbucks. After signing up, you will be invited for surveys via email.  

The surveys take between 10- 20 minutes, with the pay ranging from a few cents to $50 depending on the platform and complexity of the survey. To maximize your earnings, we recommend signing up on 4 to 10 platforms. 

Becoming a surveyor does not require any skills or experience. All you need is a smartphone, and internet connection, and you’re good to go. 

• Become an affiliate marketer 

Affiliate marketing entails promoting products on platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. You then earn a commission every time someone purchases the product. 

E-commerce companies like Jumia, Kilimall, and Jiji are constantly hiring affiliate marketers, with the only requirement being a smartphone and an internet connection. 

To start earning, sign up on the affiliate programs of these platforms, get an affiliate link, and promote their products on social media. You will then earn a commission every time someone makes a purchase via your affiliate link. 

Affiliate marketers in Kenya make between sh 10 000 – sh 50 000 per month. 

Conclusion

Having an online side hustle in Kenya has never been easier, as long as you have a smartphone and an internet connection. All you have to do is pick one of these ideas, work on it, and scale up as you gain experience. 

With time, you can invest in a laptop or desktop computer, which will make it easier for you to venture into more complex jobs that pay better.  

However, remember that while this article shares general insights into remote work and income opportunities, success varies based on individual effort, skills, and market conditions. 

We do not guarantee specific results. It is essential that you conduct thorough research, assess risks, and seek professional advice before committing your time or money.