6 Easy Online Jobs to Start in Kenya That Pay Well
What do you understand by an online job? It means modern jobs that do not involve going to an employer’s workplace to earn money. Instead, you can do them using your phone or laptop to earn a living. In today’s world, with the dominance of high technology, there are numerous jobs one can do and earn thousands within a short time.
These jobs range from beginner to expert options. Some are easy and can be performed by anyone, while others require one to have deep knowledge. If I can explain in simple terms, it is just like normal jobs where there are categories for engineers, chefs, teachers, and doctors. Various professions are skilled in their areas, and it is the same with online jobs.
In this article, I won’t provide you with difficult examples that you will have difficulty doing. These are jobs that anyone can do, from high schoolers to graduates. There has been a rise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) jobs that require one to log in to their sites, complete a task, and get paid, but I won’t dwell on those because many Kenyans have experienced challenges with logging in and payments. Some have even gone further to use VPNs to access jobs because they are meant for foreign countries.
AI jobs like Frontier Model Training (LLMs), AI Hardware Optimization, and High-End Computational Social Science are limited in Africa. This is because they require high-speed internet, consistent power, and a high level of technical and academic skills. Therefore, I won’t recommend these for you to do in Kenya.
There are other platforms like Outlier, DataAnnotation.tech, and Clickworker, where one is paid for micro-tasks and AI evaluation. Some pay $10–$50 per hour, but the problem is the same—they have recently been shut down or restricted. Some students in Nairobi who were doing these were logged out of their accounts just before payday. Kenyans have also reported lower pay of $1 or $2 per hour for tasks that pay up to $30 per hour elsewhere.
Upwork, honestly speaking, is not as easy as people think. Personally, there was a time I was really desperate. I read about it from someone’s blog post, filled in all the details, uploaded my CV and documents, and even bought connects for around Ksh 2,000. However, I never got any job in graphics and photo editing despite several requests. So honestly speaking, it is not beginner-friendly.
The reasons above are why I wrote this article—to help guide my fellow Kenyans. The options below are easy and legit to start.
Legit Online Jobs That Pay Well in Kenya
1. Earn from Facebook Monetization
In June 2024, Facebook listed Kenya among the countries that qualify for Facebook monetization. This is a good opportunity and a job you can operate anywhere, even when employed. All you need is your phone and data, then consistently post engaging content.
To start earning, Facebook approves monetization eligibility after maybe 2 or 3 months. Original videos earn more money, and payment is possible through bank and PayPal. I have seen many content creators earn up to $300 monthly. An example is this lady, Mary Adhimabo (Miss Marya). She posts dancing videos daily and earns good money from them.
2. Sell Goods & Services Online
Figure out your best area that gives you income. If you are a farmer, post your vegetables, chickens, milk, or honey, depending on the kind of farming you do, and get customers online.
If you offer services like plumbing, landscaping, or electrical work, you can post your work on social media platforms and get clients. Most people forget this is also online work.
There is a girl named Lavin in Juja, Nairobi, who runs a salon business without a shop. She operates from her house, and all her clients come from her TikTok page. After doing hair, she posts videos, and interested clients contact her.
3. Teach Online
You can teach people online and earn good money. If you have good knowledge in skills like graphic design, photography, programming, or coding, don’t waste the opportunity. You can open an online school and start teaching.
I know a good photographer who is also part of this platform, Haven Kenya team , Scott Photography. He is skilled and professional. He started an online school and has grown a large number of students who pay a fee of KSh 30,000 to join. Your best skill can be a source of income.
4. Start a YouTube Channel and Monetize
If you have talent, you can record videos while cooking, singing, or making educational tutorials, and upload them on YouTube. After gaining the required number of followers and videos, you will be monetized and start earning. There are YouTubers in Kenya who earn well.
5. Start Website Blogging
This is also a hidden secret that many people don’t know. As a university graduate, don’t just wait for office employment. For example, if you are a medical student, you can start a blog about health, write useful articles, and submit your site to Google AdSense for monetization. The more quality articles you publish, the more you increase your earnings.
Google AdSense is a platform that allows creators to monetize their content online. Many people across the world earn a living through it. Professional bloggers earn millions monthly. Some do it full-time, while others do it part-time.
6. Managing Companies’ Social Media Pages
This is another well-paying job. It requires only a smartphone and good account management skills. You need to understand how each platform—Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok—works. You will then post the right content to help businesses attract customers and increase sales. Social media managers can earn up to KSh 80,000 per month.
Those are my six legit ways of earning money online in Kenya. I have tried some of them and have seen some of my friends earn through them. All the best.
