Whether jobless or employed full time, we could all use a little extra money, so are probably always on the look-out for ways to make money online in Kenya 2022.
And if you’re like me, you’d rather pad that M-Pesa account from the comfort of your own house.
The best part, all of these online gigs are available for Kenyans as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection.
What's Covered in This Article
Here Are Our Top Ways to Make Money Online in Kenya
1. Become a Virtual Bookkeeper
Are you a certified public accountant aka CPA?
Then you can make extra cash as a book keeper working from the comfort of your home. Check out Upwork for freelance bookkeeping opportunities.
2. Work as a Proofreader
Do you have a passion for grammar and an eye for typos?
You could try your hand as a proofreader.
3. Make Money Writing Slogans
If you’re one of those people who have a way with words, then you’ll want to consider entering your ideas on any one of these slogan contest platforms:
- Slogan Slingers. You can make up to $999 per contest (minus their small admin fee). You receive your prize money using paypal with 24 to 48 hours.
- Freelancer.com bid for a gig on the slogans section. Jobs include coming up with travel blog names, naming new online shopping websites, Writing a tag line/slogan,
You can also take advantage of Google by simply entering “slogan contest” plus year to see what comes up.
If your slogan for a company or product beats the competition, you could get $50 — or a few hundred dollars — for some contests.
You could also consider branching out and entering submissions for greeting card sayings.
4. Work as a Transcriptionist
Do you have a good ear — and can type pretty fast? You can make KES 1,500 to KES 2,500 per audio hour (not the time it takes you to transcribe) listening to audio files and typing out is being said.
Transcription work in Kenya is mostly available from the medical or legal fields, as well as from researchers, reporters and random people who are willing to hire someone to type up their recordings.
Head over to Upwork on the transcription jobs section for a head start.
Once you become a professional transcriptionist, you may need to invest in a high-quality Foot Pedal Controlled Digital Transcription Audio Player such as Express Scribe for controlling audio playback with your feet.
Where to Find Transcription Jobs in Kenya as a Beginner
Most of these sites may require that you take short, simple transcription tests prior to being accepted.
- TranscribeMe. The company pays $20 per audio hour. You will receive your pay via PayPal on a weekly basis for the work you do. No special equipment necessary to begin work. You have to pass TranscribeMe’s short transcription test though.
- Quicktate. Quicktate pays about KES 2.50 for every word you transcribe. Payment is weekly via PayPal. You must first pass a skills test to be hired as a newbie transcriptionist.
- Rev. Like the other sites, you must first pass a skills test before being hired. Rev pay ranges from about $24 to $39 per audio hour. Payment is weekly by PayPal.
- Tigerfish. Like all the other companies, you’ll need to pass a skills test before working for Tigerfish. Unlike all the above though, Tigerfish prefer that their transcribers use a transcription software and a foot pedal.
5. Sell your photos
One challenge I’ve always grappled with as a Kenyan travel and lifestyle blogger is where to find beautiful, high-quality, high-resolution #wanderlust-worthy stock photos of black and/or brown people.
Or even just photos representative of people of color doing everyday stuff.
Closer home, search something as specific as “Kenyan male” and you end up with the quintessential Maasai in a red shuka, event though Maasais make up just about 2% of the entire Kenyan population.
No random Adhis and Otis holding hands, no groups of buddies in jeans and a t-shirt chillin’ at a random spot in Kilimani — and definitely no pictures of a group of black Kenyan kids just giggling. If you’re lucky you’ll only find a bunch of kids in a slum area or a starving kids from a 1900 drought that hit northern Kenya.
WHERE ARE ALL THE NON-MAASAI KENYANS? And yes, I’m yelling. Go ahead and sue me!
While I have nothing against Maasais, accurate representation is important at all levels as their cues are absorbed subconsciously; and usually send a subtle (and often not so subtle) message about tribe, gender, profession, beauty, etc.
Of course free Stock photo sites such as Unsplash, etc have a few options but #issa struggle. You have to scroll endlessly before bumping on a relevant image.
If you have an eye for photography and DSLR camera or phone with a good quality camera, you could make money by addressing this need for diversity in the stock photo landscape.
Some platforms where you can post your high-quality, high resolution authentic images of black people and brown people include:
- Colorstock. Royalty-free image licenses here cost $20 a pop or can be retired for $250 so no one can use it but purchaser.
- CreateHER Stock has categories for both paid and free images “curated for female bloggers, creatives and online influencers of color.”
- Nappy.co though entirely free, by displaying your work to a larger audience you get visibility and may land freelance work as a result of companies discovering you photography via your profile.
- ECH — Free stock photos of women of color in tech.
- MochaStock — A stock photos marketplace geared specifically to provide editorial-ready, diverse images and video.
- Unsplash — Free site as well but the visibility you get may be worth it.
6. Become a Virtual Assistant
Are you an neat-freak who likes to have everything organized?
If yes, you could make money helping others organize their days. Check out the following sites for virtual assistant jobs:
7. Claim Missing Money
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has Kshs. 3.3 billion in unclaimed funds belonging to about two million Kenyans, according to The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA).
To claim, simply log onto the The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA)website.
On the top left corner, enter your name and click on search.
A new tab will open with your name if there are unclaimed funds belonging to you.
You can also search names of people known to you and advise them in case they have unclaimed funds.
8. Make YouTube Videos
Depending on how useful, and/or entertaining your videos are, you can draw in an audience and get paid based on your video views.
With an average pay of just over $6 per 1,000 YouTube views, it adds up over time as you put up more videos.
While working on your audience numbers, you can also join affiliate programs related to your YouTube channel and make money through affiliate links embedded in your video descriptions.
9. Become a Websites Tester
Sign up with websites such as UserTest, and UserFeel and earn $10 to test websites.
10. Join a Class-Action Lawsuit
If you use a product or service that’s involved in a class-action lawsuit, you could some cash payout.
In January 2018 for instance, Lawyer Apollo Mboya and the Electricity Consumer Society of Kenya filed a class action suit against Kenya Power and Lighting Company for abusing its monopoly by inflating power bills.
Just make sure to update yourself on the class action verdicts as often as possible to make sure you’re not missing a chance to get paid!
11. Buy and Sell Domain Names
If you are one of those people with a way for words, make up hashtags, catchphrases or business names that you think could be the next big thing in coming years.
Then scoop up cheap domain names, register them, and then re-sell them to the highest bidder on sites like Flippa. Try and snag .com URLS as a priority.
You can also buy existing domains and then re-sell them.
12. Tutor Chess Players
Are you good in the game of chess?
If yes, you could make money training other people on how to play the game. Register as a Chess tutor on Wyzant or similar sites and get paid to give chess lessons.
13. Sell African Crafts Online
I personally prefer Etsy as its super easy to set up your own online store and once you post pictures of your products you can be up running in minutes.
They charge listing fees as well as take a cut on every sale you make. But then its totally worth it especially while you’re just starting off.
Great shots of your products in various forms including while in use; as well as a detailed description of the item is a sure fire first step to keep buyers coming to your online Etsy shop.
14. Create an Online Course
Create a course on a subject that you are deeply knowledgeable about. Remember what might seem obvious and easy to you may not necessarily be the same for other people.
You can host your courses on platforms such as Udemy or Skillshare.
15. Enter Naming Contests
You will first need to register at a naming website such Naming Force that host contests to name new companies or websites.
Once registered, you can enter as many contests as you like.
Take advantage of random name generators like Rymer.net to get your creative juices flowing.
Should you win, you could earn as much as KES 10,000 for naming a company or website.
16. Write and Sell an Ebook
Like online courses, write on a subject that you are deeply knowledgeable about. Remember what might seem obvious and easy to you may not necessarily be the same for other people.
If you already blog or or write extensively on a given topic, consider compiling those articles into an e-book.
Most people would pay something small to have all those posts in one place than have to comb through your website for instance.
17. Sell Products on Amazon or Jumia or Olx
18. Become a Search Engine Quality Evaluator or a Social Media Evaluator
Check out the following websites for jobs related to search engine quality evaluation or social media evaluation:
I have an entire post on how to register a domain name in Kenya, as well as how to start a money making blog in Kenya.
I actually show you how to start your blog in 20 minutes or less.
Feel free to click on the links and start your journey towards making money online in Kenya.
These are just a few of my favorite ways to make money online.
Do you have other ideas that I didn’t mention here?
Share with our readers in the comments below!
