That’s what 25-year-old Esther Njoki used to feel every Sunday evening as the work week loomed.
A graduate of University of Nairobi, Esther had landed a “dream job” at a prestigious accounting firm in Nairobi right after college. But after 2 years crunching numbers behind a desk for 14 hours a day, she felt creatively stifled and burnt out.
Esther yearned to do work she truly loved. She set a crazy goal – quit her accounting job to start a YouTube channel focused on travel in Kenya.
Just 18 whirlwind months later, Esther’s channel has over 150,000 subscribers and earns her a full-time income of over Ksh10,000,000 ($100k USD) per year.
This is the story of how Esther found the courage to pursue her passion, persevered through a messy start, and now earns 6 figures as a full-time “YouTuber” embracing true lifestyle freedom.
Why She Quit Her Accounting Job
After years of following travel YouTubers and dreaming of her own channel, Esther finally got the push she needed from an unlikely place.
“I was on a work trip in Mombasa auditing hotels. One evening I was watching travel vlogs on YouTube instead of preparing for work the next day.
It hit me that I was living vicariously through YouTubers exploring the world, while I was stuck in a job I no longer enjoyed. I decided then and there to take the leap.”
The very next week, Esther quit her accounting job and began plotting her new YouTube career.
She didn’t have any video experience. Just $3,000 Ksh in savings. But she did have a vision and a whole lot of grit.
Rocky First Year Running on Passion
That first year trying to get her channel off the ground nearly broke Esther.
Working from her tiny apartment in Nairobi, she struggled to gain any traction posting 2 videos per week focused on budget travel tips across Kenya.
“I badly underestimated how difficult it was to build a following from scratch on YouTube. My videos barely got any views. I drained all my savings and couldn’t even afford rent.”
Esther doubted whether she had made a terrible mistake leaving her accounting job. But her passion for creating travel content kept her going.
“I just tried to enjoy the process without obsessing over results or income. I knew if I could stick it out long enough, things would take off.”
And she was right.
After 12 demoralizing months, Esther finally struck algorithm gold with a video titled “Epic Safari Road Trip from Nairobi to Maasai Mara for Under $150.”
The video quickly went viral amassing over 250k views in a few weeks. Her subscriber count doubled then tripled. She gained the momentum she needed.
Esther reinvested her first YouTube earnings into better camera gear and committed to her channel full-time.
Within 6 months of crossing 10k subscribers, she hit 100k. Soon she was earning enough from Adsense and sponsorships to replace her accounting salary and then some.
How She Earns 6 Figures on YouTube Today
Fast forward to today, Esther’s thriving channel earns her a luxurious income of over Ksh10 million per year.
Here’s how she monetizes:
YouTube Adsense – The bulk of revenue comes from serving Google ads on her videos. High views = healthy earnings.
Sponsored Posts – Esther also works directly with Kenyan tourism boards and brands to create sponsored travel content and reviews.
Affiliate Links – She uses affiliate links in video descriptions to earn commissions on hotel bookings, car rentals, safari tours and more.
Merchandise – Esther sells t-shirts, hoodies, stickers and other swag featuring her channel brand and inside jokes.
Channel Memberships – Loyal fans pay a monthly fee for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and access.
With over 1 million views per month, these earnings streams add up fast for Esther’s channel.
Hyperfocus on a specific niche rather than variety content
Reinvest earnings to improve production quality
Study the algorithm and double down on what performs best
Prioritize subscriber growth over quick views
Engage fans directly through comments and community tab
Fulfilled Living Her Dream Lifestyle
Today Esther gets to live the lifestyle she always envisioned when starting her channel.
She sets her own schedule and works when she wants
She travels across Kenya doing what she loves – creating video content
She earns a higher income doing fulfilling work
She built a brand and community she’s proud of
Most rewarding of all, Esther’s journey of leaving accounting to pursue her unlikely YouTube dream has inspired other young Kenyans to go after their passions.
“I get messages every day from people who say I’ve given them the courage to make a career change and finally do work they love. That makes all the long hours and sacrifice worth it.”
Key Takeaways from Esther’s Journey
For other young professionals in Kenya considering following in Esther’s footsteps, here are some key lessons from her story:
1. Save aggressively – Build a strong savings cushion pre-transition of 6+ months living expenses
2. Pick a niche – Become THE authority in a specific niche vs. variety content
4. Research the market – Study your competition and identify unmet needs in your niche
5. Collaborate strategically – Partner with others who have an engaged audience
At the end of the day, Esther proves that with relentless drive and commitment to your craft, you can turn a side hustle passion into a full-time living in Kenya.
“My only regret is not starting YouTube sooner. If you have a dream, start before you feel ready and leap into the unknown.”
Juggling classes, a mountain of assignments, and exams is hard enough for university students in Kenya. Adding in the pressure to earn extra money can feel impossible.
But what if there was a way to make good side income working just a few flexible hours per week? A way to profit from your skills and passions without taking time away from lectures or study sessions?
In fact, there are countless online side hustles perfect for Kenyan university students looking to pad their pockets and gain valuable skills. Opportunities that allow you to become your own boss and achieve financial freedom.
In this article, we reveal the top 5 online side hustles every university student in Kenya should consider this semester:
1. Digital Marketing Consultant
Digital marketing is one of the most in-demand and lucrative skills in Kenya today. Brands of all sizes need help promoting their businesses online.
As a university student, you can cash in on this demand by offering freelance digital marketing services like:
Social media management
Content creation
Graphic design
Email/SMS marketing
Search engine optimization
Services can range from one-off gigs to longer-term contracts. Rates typically start at Ksh2,000 per hour up to Ksh100,000 per month for retained services.
This is an amazing way to gain real-world marketing experience while earning a healthy side income. No major upfront investment is required beyond a laptop and internet connection.
Do you consider yourself a strong writer? That skill is highly valuable.
Many companies hire freelance blog writers to create content for their websites – articles, product descriptions, guides, and more.
As a student, you can offer your writing services, charging on a per-word or per-post basis. Rates range from Ksh10-Ksh20 per word.
This allows you to leverage your writing abilities for earnings you can fit around your class schedule. No specific degree or prior experience is required.
How to Start
Build a portfolio of writing samples
Create profiles on freelance sites like Upwork
Reach out to companies directly pitching your services
3. Tutor
Got a knack for certain subjects? Offer private tutoring services online to students who need a hand.
With platforms like Skooli, you create a profile outlining the subjects you specialize in, your experience level, and hourly rate.
You then deliver 1-on-1 virtual tutoring over video chat. Subjects like math, sciences, languages, and standardized test prep are in high demand.
Rates for tutors range from Ksh800-Ksh2,000 per hour based on expertise level. And your own academic studies take priority over tutoring availability.
Whether looking to tutor high schoolers or even provide university level peer mentoring, this is a rewarding way to help other students while earning at your own pace.
4. Virtual Assistant
Every business needs administrative help – but hiring full-time assistants is expensive.
As a VA (virtual assistant), you can provide administrative support and basic business tasks for clients on a part-time freelance basis.
Common VA services include:
Calendar management
Email handling
Data entry
Research
Bookkeeping
No specific degree is required and most skills can be learned online. Kenya-based VAs typically earn Ksh1,000 – Ksh4,000 per hour worked.
Working just 5-10 flexible hours per week, you can bring in a healthy side income while gaining great real-world business experience.
Key VA Skills
Communication
Organization
Customer service
MS Office/Google Suite
Time management
5. Sell Your Course or Ebook
Have deep expertise in a particular subject like programming, design, finance? Consider creating an online course or ebook and selling it for profit.
Platforms like Udemy and Gumroad make it easy to build and market your own course or ebook then earn passive income each time someone purchases it.
For example, an ebook on “Intro to Python for Kenyan University Students” or a course on “Navigating Campus Life at KU”.
Pricing is up to you – courses sell for Ksh1,000 to Ksh5,000+ based on length and value.
This allows you to leverage your specialized knowledge into a digital product you can sell again and again. And build your personal brand in the process.
How to Create Your Course
Outline the curriculum
Record video lectures
Make presentations/worksheets
Publish and promote
So which of these online side hustles will you turn to first to start making money from your dorm room this semester?
With a small time investment, you can easily begin building skills, income, and freedom through any of the opportunities outlined above.
No more asking your parents for extra pocket money or taking out expensive loans. Backed with your passion, grit, and these online tools, you can create the student life you truly want.
The time is now – start harnessing the power of the internet and join the next generation of successful digital entrepreneurs in Kenya today.
Hustling for customers. Long hours. Low pay. Dangerous work conditions. This was the harsh reality for 25-year-old James Kamau during his 5 years working as a matatu tout in Nairobi.
But today, James has left his touting days behind. After discovering a secret formula for earning online, he now makes over Ksh500,000 ($5,000) every month working from the comfort of his own home.
In this exclusive tell-all interview, James reveals exactly how he went from matatu tout to internet entrepreneur earning a small fortune each month from Nairobi.
Whether you want to supplement your income or make a full-time living online, James’ journey provides a roadmap for Kenyans to succeed in digital business.
From Hustling Passengers to Financial Freedom
James got his start in business early. At 15, he dropped out of school and began touting passengers for a route 120 matatu in Nairobi. He was good at bringing in customers and earned a commission for every extra rider.
But after 5 grueling years of 14-hour days filled with heckling customers, close calls in traffic, and shady managers skimming his pay, James was burnt out.
“I was always stressed and had no time for family or friends. My body was tired from hanging out the matatu all day. I knew I had to make a change.”
One evening, James came across a Facebook ad promising a way to “earn passive income from your phone.” The ad featured flashy cars and mansions with claims of people earning over $5,000 a month.
At first, he thought it was too good to be true. But the ad convinced him to click through to an ecourse teaching how to make money blogging online.
James decided to take the plunge and purchase the ecourse for Ksh5,000. He had no idea that small investment would change the trajectory of his life forever…
Uncovering the Secret: How James Built His $5k/Month Blogging Business in Kenya
The ecourse revealed a step-by-step blueprint for earning passive income online through blogging. James diligently followed each module, learning skills like:
How to choose a profitable blog niche
Setting up a WordPress website
Optimizing articles for Google
Monetizing with affiliate marketing
Armed with this knowledge, James launched his blog NairobiCool focused on reviewing businesses and highlighting events around Nairobi.
Within just 7 months, James was already making Ksh100,000 per month from his blogging side hustle. After a full year, he was consistently hitting over Ksh500,000 per month.
Today, just 2 years after starting his website, James has turned blogging into a full-time 6-figure online business.
Here are the key factors that led to his rapid success and financial freedom:
Laser Focus on 1 Revenue Stream
James focused solely on affiliate marketing income instead of jumping between different monetization models. This allowed him to master affiliate marketing for the Kenyan market.
Aggressive Content Production
Publishing 50-60 articles per month allowed James to outpace competing blogs and attract search engine traffic faster.
Keyword Research
Using paid tools like Ahrefs, he researched high-value keywords with good search volume but low competition in Kenya. He honed in on topics he could realistically rank for.
Backlinks From Local Sites
Reaching out to Kenyan magazines, blogs, directories, and review sites helped James build locally-relevant backlinks to speed up Google rankings.
Top Traffic Sources
Source
Sessions per Month
Organic Search
70,203
Direct
19,873
Referrals
9,534
Social
8,222
“Focusing on search traffic and backlinks is what allowed me to leave touting behind.”
Today, James’ site gets over 100,000 visits per month, generating a healthy 5-figure monthly income through affiliate commissions.
And now with his flexible online business, James enjoys:
More free time with his family – No more long touting hours
Ability to travel – He can manage his site from anywhere with internet
Financial security – Multiple income streams give peace of mind
“I feel so grateful every day to have broken free of poverty and matatu touting to now have the freedom to live life on my own terms.”
3 Key Lessons from James’ Journey
James’ inspiring journey from tout to internet entrepreneur provides valuable lessons for other aspiring Kenyan online business owners:
1. Invest in Yourself Through Education
James took a chance on purchasing the ecourse even when money was tight. This investment in skills changed everything. Never stop learning.
2. Start Before You Feel Ready
It’s easy to get paralyzed by fear and self-doubt. But you’ll never know until you start. Just take the first step.
3. Stay Patient and Consistent
Success doesn’t happen overnight. James put in the work day-in, day-out for over a year before seeing major profits. Consistency compounds.
“If I can do it, anyone can. Just start your online business today, work hard, and success will come.”
Go From Touting to a Life of Financial Freedom
James’ against-the-odds success story proves that with the right roadmap, anyone can start a profitable online business from Kenya.
You don’t need prior experience or a huge budget. With focus, grit, and the right strategy, you too could soon be earning life-changing income from your laptop.
Stop just surviving and start thriving. Take control of your financial destiny today. It’s time to write your own success story.
For many young people around the world, becoming a TikTok influencer and earning millions seems like an impossible dream.
However, for 22-year-old Kenyan social media star Brian Muthoni, this dream became a reality in just a few short years.
In this exclusive interview, Brian reveals the step-by-step strategy that took him from being a high school dropout in Kibera to amassing over 15 million followers and making over Ksh100 million ($1 million USD) on TikTok.
Whether you’re looking to grow your own account or become the next TikTok sensation, Brian’s story provides key lessons for success.
From High School Dropout to Overnight TikTok Sensation
Brian’s journey began in hardship. He grew up in the slums of Kibera, Nairobi. His parents struggled to make ends meet and could not afford to keep him in school after 8th grade.
With no high school diploma and limited options for work, Brian felt stuck. He dreamed of becoming rich and famous one day, but had no roadmap of how to get there.
That all changed at 17 years old when Brian got his first smartphone. He downloaded TikTok and was instantly hooked. He decided to begin posting comedy videos inspired by his life in Kibera.
To his surprise, his videos started getting thousands of views and new followers daily. Within 6 months, he had over 5 million followers and was making up to Ksh300,000 ($3,000 USD) per video in brand sponsorships.
Seemingly overnight, Brian had gone from high school dropout to TikTok millionaire and celebrity. But it took more than just luck…
The 7 Steps to Brian’s Success
Brian attributes his rapid rise on TikTok to a strategic 7-step formula. Here are the key elements that took him to the top:
1. Find Your Niche
Brian knew his unique life experience in Kibera was something no other big TikToker was talking about. He decided to make POV-style videos roleplaying hilarious scenarios and characters from the slums. This allowed him to stand out in a crowded market.
“You have to find something different that only YOU can talk about. That’s how you get noticed on TikTok.”
2. Post Consistently
Brian treated TikTok like a full-time job. He aimed for 2-3 videos per day to stay relevant in the aggressive TikTok algorithm. This involved filming, editing, posting consistently at peak times around 6-9 PM.
3. Respond to All Comments
Even with millions of followers, Brian made a point to read and respond to his comments daily. This engaged his fans and made them feel valued.
“Fans are the reason you get brand deals. Responding to them shows you care”.
4. Go Viral With Trends
Brian strategically capitalized on viral TikTok trends like dancing challenges to grow his audience exponentially. Even trends unrelated to his niche, he would put his own spin on them with his signature Kibera style.
5. Leverage Influencers With Collabs
Collaborating with micro and macro influencers gave Brian access to new followers. But he made sure to only work with those who were a clear fit for his brand.
While TikTok was his primary platform, Brian leveraged his following to expand his brand to Instagram, YouTube, and more. This provided more monetization and marketing opportunities.
Platform
Followers/Subscribers
TikTok
15.2 million
Instagram
1.1 million
YouTube
953k
“I went all in on TikTok first before expanding. You have to dominate one platform then build around that audience”.
Brian’s Advice for Aspiring TikTokers
For those hoping to find TikTok success like Brian, he offers a few final pieces of advice:
Stick to a consistent niche. It’s better to master one area vs jumping between different topics.
Spend time learning the algorithm. Figure out what triggers the algorithm to promote your content and double down on those things.
Collaborate strategically. Don’t just collaborate for the sake of it. Make sure it’s with accounts that truly align with your brand.
Reinvest earnings back into your channel. Use earnings to improve production quality, hire an editor, or collaborate with bigger influencers.
Have a long-term vision. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Think long-term and avoid getting discouraged by slow initial growth.
The Key Takeaway
Brian Muthoni’s journey reveals that becoming a top TikTok creator takes focus, consistency, and strategic thinking. While natural talent helps, his structured approach demonstrates that social media fame can be engineered through smart effort and perseverance.
For any young Kenyan with passion and work ethic, Brian stands as a model of what’s possible in the internet age. Anyone can leverage social platforms to build an audience and lucrative brand around their unique personality and talents.
While the TikTok gold rush won’t last forever, Brian provides hope that the Kenyan youth of today can chart their own path to success.
By following his blueprint, your unlikely dreams just might become a reality too.
Crypto trading has exploded in popularity in Kenya as more people look to supplement their income or even make a full-time living from this new financial market.
As a certified blockchain expert and crypto trader with over 5 years of experience, I want to provide Kenyans with an in-depth guide on how to start earning money online through crypto trading.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll cover:
How crypto trading works and strategies to earn money
Step-by-step process to start crypto trading in Kenya
Tips for successfully trading crypto as a beginner
Common mistakes to avoid
FAQs on making money from crypto in Kenya
Let’s get started!
TLDR Key Summary Points:
Popular crypto trading strategies include day trading, swing trading, arbitrage, options, and long term investing.
You can get started by signing up on a suitable exchange like Paxful and verifying your account.
Start small, practice trading skills, manage risks, learn analysis, and avoid beginner mistakes.
Crypto trading income and capital gains are taxable above certain thresholds in Kenya.
With the right strategies, crypto trading presents opportunities for Kenyans to earn money online.
How to Earn Money Trading Crypto in Kenya
Here are some of the most popular ways Kenyans can earn income trading cryptocurrencies online:
This involves buying and selling crypto coins multiple times within the same day to take advantage of small price movements. Using technical analysis, you aim to make small but consistent profits that add up over time.
Swing Trading
Holding trades for days or weeks to profit from medium-term trends and swings in the crypto markets. Unlike day trading, swing trading focuses more on overall price trends rather than short intervals.
Arbitrage
This involves buying crypto on exchanges where the prices are lower and simultaneously selling it at exchanges where prices are higher to pocket the price difference as profit.
Options Trading
Options contracts allow you to agree to buy or sell a crypto asset at a predetermined price on or before a particular date. Savvy options trading can earn high returns but also involves high risk.
Passive Investing
Simply buying and holding crypto assets for long term as you expect prices to rise over the years. This requires less frequent trading but needs patience to hold assets during down periods.
How to Start Crypto Trading in Kenya
Follow this step-by-step process to start trading crypto online in Kenya:
Step 1: Select a Crypto Exchange
Crypto exchanges are platforms that allow you to buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies. Some popular options in Kenya:
Paxful – Peer-to-peer crypto marketplace with 250+ payment options. Easy to use interface.
Coindirect – Supports trading of 100+ crypto coins using MPesa. Low fees.
LocalBitcoins – Connects buyers and sellers directly in Kenya. Good for privacy.
Luno – Easy to use exchange for beginners. Backed by large exchanges.
Binance – Top global exchange with lowest fees but can be complex for beginners.
Step 2: Sign Up and Verify Account
Once signed up, you’ll need to verify your account by providing your official ID and proof of address documents. This identity verification is required by exchanges to tackle fraud and money laundering.
Step 3: Deposit Funds
To start trading, you’ll need to deposit Kenyan Shillings or other currencies into your exchange account. Exchanges like Paxful and Coindirect offer options like MPesa, bank wire transfer, cash deposit etc.
Step 4: Place Your First Trade
Once your account is funded, you can place a market order to buy your first crypto coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin etc. Some exchanges also allow you to trade crypto derivatives and futures contracts.
Step 5: Withdraw Profits
Once your trades earn you profits, you can withdraw your crypto asset holdings or cash them out back into fiat currency like KES and have your earnings sent to your local Kenyan bank account.
And that’s it – by following these steps you can start earning money trading crypto right from Kenya!
Tips for Beginner Crypto Traders in Kenya
Here are some top tips for those starting out with crypto trading in Kenya:
Start small – Allocate only a small portion of your capital when first starting out. Gradual learning is key.
Practice with demo account – Most exchanges offer demo accounts with virtual funds to practice risk-free.
Analyze crypto charts – Learn to analyze price trends using indicators like moving averages, RSI, volume etc.
Manage risk – Use stop losses and maintain good risk:reward ratio per trade. Don’t risk all capital on one trade.
Join online communities – Connect with fellow Kenyan crypto traders on Telegram, Discord etc. to learn from each other.
Stay updated on news – Keep up with crypto news, regulations, technological developments etc. that may impact prices.
Track tax obligations – Be aware of capital gains tax and income tax rules to remain compliant.
By mastering these tips as a beginner, you’ll be well equipped to trade crypto successfully in Kenya.
Common Crypto Trading Mistakes to Avoid in Kenya
Here are some key mistakes I recommend Kenyan crypto traders avoid especially when starting out:
Trading without proper education and research.
Investing too much capital too fast. Be cautious and patient.
Getting swayed too much by emotions of fear or greed. Remain level-headed.
Not paying fees to exchanges and taxes. This can lead to legal issues.
Keeping all holdings on an exchange. Recommended to transfer to private wallet.
Falling for “get rich quick” Ponzi schemes and crypto scams. Vet opportunities judiciously.
Sharing login credentials or setting weak passwords. Can lead to hacking.
Using excessive leverage and taking oversized risks. This can amplify losses fast.
By being aware of these pitfalls, Kenyans can avoid costly mistakes and trade crypto safely.
FAQs on Trading Crypto in Kenya
What amount is needed to start crypto trading in Kenya?
You can start crypto trading even with an initial capital of KES 5000 or less. Exchanges allow you to buy fractions of coins so you can start small.
Are crypto trading profits taxed in Kenya?
Yes, both capital gains tax and income tax will apply if you earn above the taxable threshold from crypto trading.
Can I make crypto trades on my phone in Kenya?
Yes, exchanges like Paxful, Luno etc. offer mobile apps so you can trade crypto conveniently on-the-go from your smartphone.
What is the easiest way to buy crypto in Kenya?
Using a peer-to-peer exchange like Paxful that supports MPesa payments makes buying crypto quick and accessible in Kenya.
Which crypto coins are best for beginner traders in Kenya?
For beginners, stablecoins like USDT or major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin are relatively easier to trade.
Conclusion
I hope this detailed guide provided you with insights into how to start earning money by trading cryptocurrency in Kenya. The key takeaways are:
Crypto trading allows you to profit from buying low and selling high by implementing strategies like day trading or long-term investing.
You can conveniently start trading crypto by signing up on an exchange platform like Paxful or Luno in a few steps.
Start small, learn technical analysis, manage risk properly, and avoid common mistakes as a beginner crypto trader.
With discipline and perseverance, crypto trading can become a viable income stream for Kenyans alongside other income opportunities.
So open your crypto trading account today and start profiting from this lucrative opportunity trading digital assets online!
