Top 14 Online Jobs in Kenya That Pay Very Well – Ultimate Guide

Which online job can you do?

And is it possible to build a full-time career online with an income that sustains you?

It is 2022 and despite the many promises politicians make of creating jobs, we still face unemployment as a major thorn in Kenya.

Luckily the internet might be the hero we so desperately need.

Online jobs in Kenya have been around for the last two decades. Recently, many youths have become interested in the idea of freelancing given that it allows people to work for themselves.

You are here because it intrigues you and you want to give it a try. But you’re not sure which job can suit you and make you enough money to quit your job.

So, let’s discuss 14 of the best online jobs in Kenya.

If you prefer watching to reading, here is my video breakdown.

I hope by the time you’re done, you’d have figured out the freelance job to start.

Top Online Jobs in Kenya

1. Blogging

To blog is to write and publish articles on a website you own. It’s like your online magazine or newspaper. Its purpose is to inform, educate, entertain or convince.

Blogs can be about anything. You can blog about your lifestyle or build a blog around your business.

Blogging is one of the best online jobs in Kenya that’s very rewarding.

How does blogging pay?

By having a blog, you own a piece of the internet. It’s like real estate. You can use it to do whatever you like. If you offer value and attract customers, you’re in a position to make money.

Some of the ways to make money through your blog are

• Display advertising. You display Ads on your website pages and attract income through impressions and clicks. Google AdSense is the biggest advertising platform and the best choice for new bloggers.
• Sell online courses. Being more knowledgeable in a certain field than 70% of the population is enough to create courses and sell them through your blog. Well-curated courses will earn you continuous passive income.
• Sell E-books. Some of the best writers globally, such as Tim Ferris, make millions annually by selling books.
• Affiliate Marketing. Make commissions from promoting brand products and services. It is a great passive income earner.

These are just a few of the many opportunities you’ll come across by blogging. Others might be beyond your imagination.

For instance, as your blog grows and people start to see you as an expert, you’ll be invited to speak at conferences. These speaking gigs can earn you a fortune.

You can even build an online consulting business through your blog, especially if you’re a registered professional.

Sam Vidambu, is a youth blogger who has built a career as a keynote speaker in Kenyan academic institutions.

Blogging might be the most lucrative online job in Kenya courtesy of the many doors it can open.

It however requires you to offer value, establish yourself as an expert and grab opportunities as they come.

Benefits of blogging

• Blogging allows you to work for yourself. Many young people don’t like the idea of working for others. They envy being in a position to live by their terms. Blogging gives you that chance. If done right and with patience, you’ll never have to worry about unemployment.
• You can build a personal brand and establish yourself as an expert in a certain field through blogging. It gives you an edge over your competitors because it shows your dedication to finding solutions and offering people value. For this reason, many experts regard blogging as one of the best online opportunities to turn into a business.
• You have access to many opportunities that bring in passive income, which means you will not have to work every time to make a living. The first five years of blogging will lay the foundation for an online business that generates continuous income with little effort.

Challenges of blogging

• It takes time to build a profitable blog. There are so many blogs online covering every topic you can think about. So to be ranked highly by search engines and get good traffic, you’ll have to write and publish high-quality content consistently.
• Blogging requires passion and resilience.  During the first year of blogging, you’ll barely make any money. You’ll feel discouraged. Unless you generate good traffic and set up your blog for money-making opportunities such as affiliate marketing and advertisements, you’ll have to contend with inconsistent income.

Who is blogging best for?

Blogging is for Kenyans who want to earn passive income to supplement their main income and have the time to travel the world or indulge in hobbies and adventures.

Most bloggers however do it as a hobby only for the hobby to transform into a full-fledged business.

If you’re considering blogging as a part-time job, make sure you have a reliable source of income that can sustain you for the first 2 years before you start.

Find out how to start blogging in Kenya.

2. Content Writing

Content writers create topic-specific articles for blogs and websites. They research and employ creativity to generate ideas and write unique content for brands. Before the content is published they proofread, edit and optimize it to perform well in search engines results pages.

For instance, if I hired you to write for this blog, you would become a content writer.

Today, content writing is one of the most popular online jobs in Kenya employing thousands of writers.

How does content writing pay?

Businesses rely on content to create brand awareness and attract new customers.

They have to publish high-quality content regularly to fare well in a highly competitive digital marketing space.

While some businesses have in-house writers to create content, most prefer to hire freelance writers who are cheaper to maintain. Hence, the services of professional content writers will always be in demand for now.

Content writing follows involves the following

1. You are given a topic, the keywords, and the word count.
2. Research on the topic, gathering information from other sources.
3. Optimize the article for search engines by adding keywords and synonyms of keywords in strategic sections of the blog post, such as the title, the subtitles, introduction, body, and conclusion.
4. Pass the content through an editing tool, such as Grammarly, eliminating grammatical and punctuation errors.
5. Proofread the content and ensure it’s concise
6. Submit for publishing.

Content writers in Kenya earn either per word or per article and how much you make depends on your experience as a writer and ability to convince clients to award you jobs. 

While newbies earn as little as Ksh 500 per article, expert content writers such as Walter Akolo can ask for 50,000 Kenya shillings per 1000-word article.

Kenyan companies are good sources for content writing jobs. But if you want to earn more, build your credibility and target international brands and agencies in developed countries.

Benefits of Content Writing

• Content writing allows for remote work; you don’t struggle with daily commuting. You save time and keep commuter stress at bay. You can work from a hammock at the beach or in a co working space overlooking the city. This improves your life quality.
• Content writing offers flexible and progressive income. As you gain experience and secure more jobs, you build your credibility and skills, which allows you to command better pay. Hence you can double or triple your income within a short period.
• Content writing also involves a wide range of projects, presenting new challenges. New challenges make work interesting, boost creativity and improve character.

Challenges of Content Writing

• As a beginner, it’s hard to access well-paying jobs. You’ll have to build your portfolio to command better pay. Also, considering income depends on the number of projects, your income could be inconsistent. You’ll have some busy months with handsome pay and other periods of no work unless you learn how to keep work coming.
• You’ll meet rude and demanding clients. For the sake of putting food on the table especially in the early stages, you’ll have to be patient with them or risk losing jobs. But as soon as you start making enough money to go by, you can terminate projects from mean clients.
• It’s hard to earn a passive income because content writing depends on your work hours. So unless you train writers to work for you, you will have to continue putting in the hours to earn.

Who is content writing best for?

You can start content writing anytime if you have a laptop and reliable internet connection. However, content writing is best for those that enjoy writing and have a good command of English.

Also, if you don’t mind working for demanding clients, this gig can be a great opportunity for you to make money online.

To get content writing jobs, apply for jobs in content writing job boards and send cold pitches to brands. Here is more information on finding online content writing jobs.

3. Copywriting

Copywriting is writing persuasive marketing content that motivates people to take profitable actions; click on ads, purchase products, donate, or book consultations.

We see, copy everywhere; on billboards, products, buildings, and TV. Copywriting is one of the lucrative online jobs in Kenya that many people are venturing into.

How does copywriting pay?

A copywriter is responsible for writing texts for marketing.

Brands approach copywriters to create copy for their advertising campaigns, including magazine advertisements, billboards, newspaper ads,emails, websites, and social media platforms.

As a copywriter, you indulge in a brand and its audience. You want to know how it portrays itself. And since you’re in the business of motivating humans to take action, you need to understand what makes the customers tick.

You research the product, how it works, its benefits and features, what it does to your customer, and its competitive edge.

To bolster your copy, you gather scientific research data that backs your claims.

Armed with this information, you write a copy aimed at soft selling.

Compelling copy is personal and customer-centric; it indulges with your customer on a deep level and emphasizes the benefits to the user rather than the product’s features.

When ready, the copy is submitted to the company for publishing.

Copywriters earn based on hours worked. But the conversion rate or success indicators of your copy determine how high you can be paid.

If you can produce great conversion rates, you can ask for more money, and you’ll gladly be given.

In Kenya, copywriters write marketing copy for all types of businesses. Working for a local company can be lucrative and reliable. However, you should target foreign companies from developed countries since they offer better pay rates.

Benefits of Copywriting.

• Copywriting projects come in various forms and serve different platforms, i.e., TV, social media, email, etc. Therefore, you encounter new challenges which make your job more exciting, and you never stop learning. You stretch your imagination to create unique copy that captures your customers’ attention. Working in a job that exercises your creativity can be very fulfilling.
• Copywriting is a very progressive career as long as you are consistent. Once you get your name out there and build a portfolio of indispensable work samples, work will come looking for your. Your reputation precedes you and you’ll have too much well paying projects on your plate.
• As a freelancer, you live on your terms. You decide your schedule, plan your work, and travel when you want. You choose what to work on. Don’t want to write a brief about fashion or jewelry? Then don’t. You are your own boss. 

Challenges of Copywriting

• It takes time to research and study to be able to write compelling copy. You have to study competitors, product features, and when dealing with unfamiliar industries, you need to learn as much as the average professional.
• Changing scope of projects can be stressful and unrewarding. Often, clients on job boards might require more work than you signed up for without any changes to the quote. And since you have to deliver to earn, you might work more than your bargained for.
• You’ll often encounter rude or demanding clients who show little appreciation for your work. Luckily, once you start earning enough to sustain your lifestyle, you can easily get rid of such clients.

Who is Copywriting best for?

Copywriting is best for people who thrive on using their creative minds. If you enjoy creating unique marketing solutions, copywriting is your thing. Secondly, if you’re a good writer and terrific at online research, you’ll thrive as a copywriter.

You can secure copywriting jobs on job boards such as ProBlogger, Upwork, Guru, and Fiverr. Check out this guide on how to find copywriting jobs.

4. Online Academic Writing

University students in developed countries who don’t have enough time to complete their academic assignments often delegate them to content mills which hire writers to complete them.

These assignments can range from Math, Chemistry, Computer, Engineering, Health, History, etc, practically every field of strudy in academic institutions.

Academic writing is one of the most popular online jobs in Kenya and a favorite for unemployed graduates.

How does academic writing pay?

You can be an academic writer by signing up in writers accounts such as UvoCorp, WritersBay, and StudyPool. 

During registration, you’ll take a test to prove your writing ability. Other requirements like having a degree certificate or being a native English speaker might be asked of you depending on the account.

In case you don’t pass the test or fail to meet all requirements (most people don’t) and can’t open an account, you have two options to pick from; either be a secondary writer for an account owner or buy an account.

Writing for an account owner is the best option for beginners in academic writing because it gives you a platform to hone your skills, under the guidance of a seasoned writer.

Also, you get to experience work overload, which gives you a taste of account management.

On the other hand, buying an account is a risky venture. Writing accounts have strict measures to ensure delivery of high-quality work to clients.

If you buy an account and fail to replicate the original writer’s quality, accounts administrators will notice and close your account.

Whichever route you choose to take, you’ll need to secure assignments to start earning.

All academic assignments come with instructions on

• Standard writing formats (APA, MLA, and Harvard)
• Word count limits
• Number of citations required, among others.
• Time allocation (deadline)

As a writer, you must adhere to these instructions and deliver high quality non-plagiarized work to get paid .

Also, different types of academic assignments attract different rates. English literature jobs often are the least paying jobs with a rate of $5 per page, while technical jobs such as engineering attract better rates, around $20 per page.

The content mill deducts a percentage (30%-60%) from the total amount and pays the rest to the writer. Meanwhile, if you work for an account owner, you earn Ksh 250 to Ksh 300 per page on average.

Accounts usually pay the writers every two weeks or once a month using platforms such as Payoneer, PayPal, Skrill, and Wire transfer for remittance.

Secondary writers are paid through M-Pesa on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.

Benefits of academic writing.

• Academic writing has a low barrier to entry. All you need is a good laptop, internet connection, and the ability to follow instructions. Anybody who can construct a good composition can become an academic writer. University students in fact tackle these assignments in their curriculum and thus should have an easy time earning through academic writing.
• You can start earning immediately. Account owners withdraw earnings once or twice a month and pay secondary writers weekly. If you need quick cash and have plenty of leisure time, you should try academic writing.
• You learn while doing the assignments. For instance, as an engineering student, you acquire knowledge and mastery by doing engineering assignments. You kill two birds with one stone; better grades and more money.

Challenges of academic writing

• Academic writing has low seasons and high seasons. During the low seasons, it is hard to get jobs consistently. So you will not have a reliable income.
• Accounts administrators can be ruthless. They’ll always side with clients during disputes. Hence, if you make a mistake, you get penalized. If the quality of your work drops significantly, you’ll be suspended or have your account closed. So you cannot afford to have all your eggs in one basket. Consider creating other income streams from the start.
• As a new writer, you’ll meet con artists who claim to offer academic writing jobs on social media platforms. If you sign up and do an assignment without assurance of payment, you’ll fall victim to their scams.

Who is Academic writing for?

If you have a laptop, an internet connection, and write well-structured compositions, you’re good to go. More importantly, you should have plenty of free time to work on the assignments without sacrificing your other duties.

Start by checking out these top writing accounts and sign up. Join Facebook groups for academic writers and apply for jobs. Remember only to do work when you have an assurance of payment.

5. Transcription

Transcription involves listening to voice recordings and converting them into text. You create transcripts by watching videos and writing down what is said. Speech to text services have grown in demand lately as businesses and individuals streamline their documentation processes.

Transcription is one of the best online jobs in Kenya with thousands of online workers.

How does transcription pay?

Transcription services are offered by online platforms such as Rev, Scrbie, Temi, GoTranscript, Transcription Panda, TranscribeMe and TakeNote.

Essentially, they function like content mills where clients pay them to hire professional transcribers to convert recordings into text. To become a transcriber, you need to create an account in either of these platforms

All transcribing platforms require you to pass through tests to ensure you meet their professional transcription standards before you’re allowed to take jobs. For instance, Rev, TranscribeMe, and TakeNote all require near-perfect transcription before you’re accepted.

Once you successfully create an account, you’ll have access to tasks which can be assigned to you depending on your rating.

The most popular types of transcription jobs include; general transcription, market research, medical, and legal transcription jobs.

• General transcription jobs can be done by beginners because they are simple.
• Market research transcription jobs require some training to achieve high-quality transcription.
• Legal and medical transcription jobs require more training as they involve professional jargon that others cannot discern.

A few things are of utmost importance for transcribers.

First, you must correctly identify and label the speakers when there are multiple speakers.

Secondly, proper spelling and research of terminology is necessary for communication of the right message.

Lastly, proper grammar and punctuation is key to readability.

To succeed in transcription, you must have strong attention to detail, be a fast typer – over 70 words per minute, and have basic computer skills.

Transcription accounts pay fortnightly or monthly, and thus, it’s a good gig for those who need fast money. Money is remitted through common payment platforms such as Paypal, Payoneer and Skrill

In case you find it impossible to create an account by yourself, you can buy transcription accounts from seasonal transcribers and transcription accounts opening masters.

Benefits of transcription

• It has a low barrier of entry. All you need is a laptop, a good internet connection, good listening skills, and fast typing skills. So anyone can try transcript transcription and do it as a part-time job.
• You start earning immediately. Transcription accounts pay regularly and use common payment methods such as PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill, and M-Pesa (for Kenyans) to pay workers. Hence within two weeks of transcribing, you can already start making money.
• Freelancing allows you to enjoy flexible working hours and live on your terms. You can comfortably fit your tasks in your lifestyle without largely affecting other aspects of your life.

Challenges of transcription.

• While transcription is seen as an easy online job in Kenya, it takes time to get the hang of it. You have to use style guides unique to each platform. Also, you’ll encounter inaudible audio that give you a hard time to transcribe. You need a great deal of practice to perfect your craft.
• Low supply of jobs and relatively lesser income than other top online jobs like copywriting and content writing. During low seasons, jobs supply cannot meet job demand. Hence, it’s wise to be a part-time transcriber and create other income streams to hold you up when times get tough.
• Considering today’s innovative software that provides transcription services, it’s likely that most transcription jobs might be replaced by software in the future. Hence, it’s not safe to fully depend on transcription. Diversify

Who is transcription best for?

Anyone with good listening and typing skills can do transcription. However, ask yourself whether you can handle the pressure of providing high-quality transcriptions before becoming a transcriber in Kenya.

To start, you transcription groups on Facebook to connect with fellow transcribers and learn the ins and outs of transcribing.

Then create an account in the top transcription platforms in the country, and if you’re lucky to open an account, you can start earning by transcribing.

6. Online Surveys

Marketing companies conduct surveys to understand customers and help brands provide the best services and products.

For these surveys to be successful, they have to incentive survey takers by offering a small compensation which presents a good opportunity for you to make a few shillings.

Online Surveys are some of the best online jobs in Kenya for high school students.

How do online surveys pay?

To be an online survey taker, join online survey platforms such as remote tasks, swag bucks, I pull three ABA and inbox dollars.

These online survey companies create surveys and publish them on their job board, which you can access if you have an account.

Online surveys often come in various forms, but open-ended and multiple-choice questions are the most common and easy to answer.

When taking a survey, the quality of your answers matters. Hence you should read the instructions before starting to get it right and you’ll have a limited time to complete the surveys.

The questions are straightforward because they aim to collect clear customer data for companies to make informed decisions and provide the best services.

When you’re done taking a survey, you submit it and look for another one because surveys don’t pay well; you must take tens of surveys daily to make a decent income.

It’s never wise to make online surveys your full-time job unless you have nothing better to do. They have little impact on your personal growth and barely pay enough. When the survey is limited, your money-making opportunities are also limited.  

Most online survey companies pay monthly through debit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers, but you have to reach a certain limit to withdraw your cash.

Benefits of online survey jobs.

It has the lowest barrier of entry in the online jobs space. You don’t need any qualifications. And you don’t even need a laptop. Most of these can be taken through smartphones, and anybody can do it.

Secondly, you can do online surveys anytime; while traveling, at home, and waiting in line for services. Any free time is adequate for answering simple questions and earning a few bucks.

Challenges of online surveys.

There are limited surveys, especially for newbies. Many online survey companies only allocate high-paying surveys for established survey takers. It takes time to build your portfolio to become a professional survey taker and earn more money-making opportunities.

Some platforms are exclusive to professional online survey takers, and you have to pay for membership.

Secondly, it’s not a reliable full-time job. The dream of being a freelancer as an online survey taker is not possible for most people because of the high competition and limited survey opportunities.

You need a second job to supplement the income from online surveys.

Who are online survey jobs best for?

Anyone with a smartphone and needing a few extra shillings can try online surveys.

Also, if you often have a lot of idle time and want to make good use of it, you can try online surveys. High school graduates and university students taking less demanding courses can benefit greatly from these jobs.

You can start online surveys by joining online survey platforms such as RemoteTasks.

7. Data Entry

Data entry involves feeding data into a computer using a keyboard, scanner, voice recorder, and mouse.

Companies from various industries often require clerks who can collect data, maintain records, and update databases.

Data Entry is one of the best part-time online jobs in Kenya.

How does data entry work?

Many businesses approach job sites to hire data entry operators who can manage their databases. Alternatively, they can engage personnel staffing firms with a better screening process to identify high-quality data entry operators considering the need to train them.

When you secure a job as a data operator, you will first undergo entry-level training to familiarize yourself with the software your employer uses.

Often, experience in basic computer programs such as MS Word MS Office is enough to get you through the door. However, in special cases, which are often high paying, you need experience with more advanced software.

Training takes one week and one month, depending on your typing skills and attention to detail.

Once you prove to be a fast learner and start to produce high-quality work, you get hired and receive a consistent number of tasks.

As a data entry professional, you can choose between remote work or office work.

Working at home often comes with less demanding jobs. However, you’ll get less pay.

Office workers usually get jammed with a lot of work from different disciplines. For instance, as a receptionist, you’ll operate phone calls while updating the database and scheduling meetings.  Fortunately, all the extra work is rewarded.

Most Kenyan online data entry jobs pay through M-Pesa, while international data jobs pay through bank transfers and debit card deposits.

Data entry jobs pay less than other online jobs such as writing. Therefore, unless you work full-time as a data operator for an established company, you cannot depend on data entry as a full-time job.

You should diversify your time and do a more rewarding job.

Benefits of data entry jobs?

First, you can do it anywhere. Data entry only requires that you have an internet connection. So, you can freelance and live on your terms.

Secondly, It has a low barrier of entry. You don’t need any academic or professional qualifications to secure most data entry jobs in Kenya. Anybody with a laptop, internet connection and basic computer skills can do a data entry job.

Lastly, you start earning fast. Most data entry jobs pay based on hours worked and remit incomes once or twice a month.

Challenges of data entry jobs

Data entry jobs are often tedious. Filling and editing the same data can be monotonous and doesn’t involve a lot of creativity. It’s an uninteresting job that might not be good long-term.

Secondly, most data entry jobs have low payments. Hence cannot you cannot depend on age as a full-time job. Nonetheless, some people get to a level where they can earn a lot.

Who is data entry best for

Anybody who does not have a job but has a computer and internet connection can try data entry jobs to put food on the table.

Also, if you have a lot of time, i.e., you’re a high school student or a university student doing a less engaging course, data entry jobs can keep you busy.

To find data entry jobs, look into job boards such as Upwork, Freelancer FlexJobs. You can also find them in Google jobs and LinkedIn jobs sections.

8. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is when an individual promotes the products or services of one company and earns a commission. This promotion can happen on social media, texts, email, blogs, and other platforms. Once the target customer purchases a product, the promoter is compensated.

Affiliate marketing is one of the most lucrative online jobs in Kenya.

How does affiliate marketing pay?

An affiliate promotes a company’s products or services. Companies understand the power of network marketing. So they create affiliate marketing programs to manage affiliates.

You can sign up on these platforms and receive a link which you’ll use when promoting the products or services of the company. Each product has a predetermined commission rate calculated as a percentage of the sales.

To start, you choose a channel to broadcast your link.

Facebook is a favorite for many as it is. It probably has the most people in your circle.

Twitter allows you to share affiliate links with people that find it relevant.

You can also use WhatsApp to share it with your contacts and direct messaging or email, which are more private.

A blog is the best way to promote affiliate marketing products since it attracts organic readers looking for information related to the products. Thus it has high conversion rates. The best performing affiliate marketers are bloggers.

Whichever platform you decide to use, you need to get your link out to the public.

When users click on an affiliate link, they are directed to the product page. The link contains a cookie that tracks clicks and purchases by storing a small data set in your PC. When a user returns to the same URL, the computer detects the activity.

It records successful purchases and transfers the data to the affiliate marketing platform. Your commission is deducted from the purchase and loaded into your account.

You can withdraw your earnings once you’ve reached the withdrawal limit set by the affiliate marketing platform.

Affiliate programs pay through common gateways such as PayPal and Payoneer, bank deposits, or credit/debit cards. Kenyan affiliate marketing platforms use M-Pesa to pay their workers.

There are countless affiliate programs to join online. But you can start with these top affiliate programs in Kenya.

Benefits of affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing is a numbers game. If you have a large fan base or great traffic on your website, you can make a lot of money through affiliate marketing. In addition, your potential earnings increase the more you focus on a certain niche.

Secondly, affiliate marketing income is passive. For instance, bloggers just write articles and promote them periodically. Yet they keep earning as long as their site is online. It’s like a money-making machine.

Lastly, affiliate marketing enables you to live on your terms and indulge in other activities while still making money.

Challenges of affiliate marketing

First, your reputation is on the line. If you promote bad products, you will destroy your personal brand. For instance, financial investment and opportunities that turn out to be scams negatively impact the influencers who promoted it; they get all the blame.

Secondly, it takes time to build a loyal following on social media and consistent traffic in your blog. You must create content without tiring and promote your affiliate links constantly to turn it into a reliable source of income.

Who is affiliate marketing best for?

Although anybody can do it, affiliate marketing is best for influencers and passionate bloggers. Popular personalities with a large fan base earn the most promoting products.

Due to the low conversion rates of affiliate marketing, especially when promoted to the general public, you need a niche-specific fan base to convert well.

If you want to try affiliate marketing, you can check out these top affiliate marketing programs in Kenya. Also, consider joining bigger affiliate marketing programs such as Amazon, Bluehost, and Wix.

9. Forex Trading

Forex is a decentralized global market for exchanging foreign currencies. It entails buying one currency while simultaneously selling another to make a profit based on the fluctuations of exchange rates.

Forex is one of the most technical online jobs in Kenya that can be very lucrative if done well.

How does Forex trade pay?

Forex trading is like buying stocks, but the only difference is that it is done in pairs. You buy one currency while simultaneously selling another, e.g., the Euro/USD and USD/Ksh pairs. You profit if the currency you buy moves up against the currency you sold.

Let’s assume the exchange rate between USD and Kenyan shilling is 110 to 1. To buy 1000 USD, you need 110,000 Ksh. If the currency moves to 115 to 1, you can sell your 1000 USD for Ksh 115,000, earning a profit of 5000 Kenyan shillings.

However, if the currency drops to 108 to 1, and you have to close the trade, you sell it at a loss of 2000 Kenyan shillings.

Daily forex trading involves you sitting on a desk or couch – if you’re working at home and observing currency fluctuations as you make regular trades using a good amount of capital to make profits.

Most traders, however, make losses. The losing percentage varies between 65% and 89%. So you need experience, attention to detail, and resilience to be a successful trader.

Forex trading platforms are countless; the best approach is to choose reputable platforms based on reviews from other people and start your trading.

Once you accumulate good profits, you can withdraw your income using normal payment gateways such as PayPal, bank transfers, and credit/debit card deposits.

Benefits of Forex exchange.

Forex is an online job that gives you the advantage of working from home or anywhere. You live on your terms and can develop a great work-life balance. Most trading happens during the day meaning you can always have a good night’s sleep.

Secondly, your success depends on hard work and dedication to learning and getting better. Some people think Forex is a game of luck, but the best traders understand the discipline and hard work needed to maintain a profitable portfolio.  You are your own boss.

Challenges of Forex exchange.

Forex exchange is easy to join but hard to succeed. Fast you need substantial capital to benefit from small profit margins. 

Unless you have hundreds of 1000s of Kenyan shillings, it will take time to earn a consistent and reliable income. Hence, Forex is not for individuals with a mission to make money fast.

Secondly, it has a high barrier of entry in terms of ability; it is a technical skill that requires patience to master. 

You have to learn your craft and limit losses while identifying good trade setups with a positive risk.

Who is Forex Exchange best for?

Forex is best for individuals with a passion for math and statistics. If you can spend hours researching and analyzing currency without tire, then it is for you. Anyone can join even with little capital, but you’ll need skill and patience to earn.

Start by joining forex trading groups on Facebook to interact and network with other individuals in the trading industry. Finding a mentor from the start makes your learning curve less shallow and increases your earning potential.

10. Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is digital money whose transactions are managed by a decentralized system using cryptography.

Cryptocurrency functions like stocks, but it’s more erratic, i.e., prices fluctuate fast. This behavior opens up an opportunity to take home large profits.

Crypto trading is a relatively new and lucrative online job in Kenya.

How does cryptocurrency pay?

Cryptocurrency is digital money with actual value. You can buy and sell products using crypto with vendors who accept cryptocurrency.

The value of crypto depends on market demand and supply.  In addition, economic and political factors or events significantly impact cryptocurrencies prices.

The principle of making money in cryptocurrency is buying low and selling high. For instance, if you invested in Bitcoin 10 years ago when the price was $5.5 and sold it today at $48,000, you would have made 8,700 times your initial investment.

On the flip side, if you bought Bitcoin in April at its peak of $60,000 and sold it now at $48,000, you lose 20%. Most cryptocurrencies and tokens fluctuate in prices. But stable coins such as Tether and USDT are designed to reflect the value of fiat currency, the US dollar.

Most people make money in crypto through trading.  Other methods of generating income include

• Staking – You lock your coins to be used for validation of transactions and get rewarded
• Lending – Loan other people and earn interest.
• Mining – The blockchain rewards you for generating new cryptocurrencies.

Once you make money through cryptocurrency, you can draw your earnings by selling the coins on peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange platforms like Localbitcoins and Coinbase.

Benefits of cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency allows you to work from home and makes you your own boss. You create your work schedule, and no one will be pushing you around to get stuff done.

Secondly, cryptocurrency has a high potential to make a lot of money if you apply the right strategies. Cryptocurrency requires expertise and experience to start making considerable income through trading.

If you don’t want to trade, you can invest in crypto with high growth potential and hold for years before cashing out. For instance, Bitcoin grew by several thousand times over the past decade, demonstrating the potential you tap into by investing in the right cryptocurrency.

Challenges of cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is a risky investment. The fluctuations of cryptocurrency prices can result in losses, especially for emotional traders who panic and sell during bear runs.

Cryptocurrency can seem too technical for newbies. It requires a little bit of understanding of how computers work. While it is easy to join and start selling and buying cryptocurrency, it is hard to start trading and making money fast.

Who is cryptocurrency best for?

If you’ve done some form of trading, whether it’s Stock Exchange or Forex exchange, and you enjoyed the process, then cryptocurrency should be easy for you.

Also, if you have idle capital and would like to invest in an opportunity with great potential, try cryptocurrency. You only need a computer or a smartphone and a good internet connection to invest in cryptocurrency.

Start by joining peer-to-peer cryptocurrency platforms such as local bitcoins and Paxful where you trade cryptocurrency and use other investment programs offered. 

11. Influencer Marketing 

Influencers are people with large online followings. They have the power to influence the purchase decisions of their followers. Hence influencer marketing involves getting paid for promoting the services or products of a brand. 

Kenya has seen a tremendous growth of influencers over the last decade. It’s currently one of the most lucrative and fun online jobs in Kenya.

How does influencer marketing pay?

Influencer marketing is based on celebrity endorsement, a marketing strategy used by brands such as Nike and Coca-Cola. Essentially, brands will approach celebrities and pay them to endorse their products. 

Luckily, you don’t need to be a celebrity to market brands in today’s digital world. You can do it by becoming an influencer. An influencer builds their brand through consistently publishing content for a specific or general audience.

Once you acquire many followers, you assume an influential status. Any content you post on your social media platforms or website will reach your fans. You hold the same power that traditional media platforms hold. 

Businesses will naturally approach you to market their product, pay for your endorsement, and include other incentives in your gift package. You can determine your charges based on your value in the target industry and competitors’ charges.

Such deals are signed as contracts. When signing contracts, it’s prudent to involve a lawyer to ensure your interests are best served. 

Besides promoting brands, you can make money by selling digital products, affiliate marketing, events and appearances, donations, e.t.c. 

The best influencer marketing strategy is to build your brand in a specific niche. Brands prefer niche influencers due to their ultra-specific audience, which has higher conversion rates than general audiences. 

Benefits of Influencer marketing?

First, you work as a freelancer; your working hours are flexible. There is no particular schedule to follow, and you don’t work under a boss. You determine every aspect of your work, giving you the space and time to travel and pursue your passions.

Secondly, you’ll enjoy receiving plenty of free products and services from brands that want to incentivize you into endorsing them—for instance, free meals and accommodation for travel vloggers and free gizmos for tech bloggers. 

Lastly, you can build a community of like-minded people, some who can become close friends and others who can expand your network, giving you access to many opportunities.

Challenges of influencer marketing?

With great power comes great responsibility. Influencers tackle the integrity issue daily. Brands will pay you handsomely to promote products that are genuinely not helpful to customers. 

You’ll have to choose between money or your reputation. If you choose money, you’ll regret it when your personal brand begins to crumble.

Secondly, if you solely depend on brand endorsements to make money, you’ll face inconsistent incomes. 

Many influencers and micro-influencers exist in the market, and some are very aggressive. Waiting for opportunities to come knocking on your door is a bad idea unless you have a large fanbase. 

Lastly, it takes time to become an influencer. Many social media influencers spend years uploading content before they blow up. Azziad Nasenya, for instance, became a sensation after 2 years of consistent work. 

Who is influencer marketing best for?

Influencer marketing is the perfect online job for content creators who enjoy sharing short video skits consistently.

The beauty is that you only need a smartphone with a good camera and good internet connection to get started. Then you need to have a target audience in mind and create quality informational/entertaining videos.

12. Software Developer

If you have knowledge and expertise in programming languages, you can get paid to write code and build software. Software developers are computer-savvy people with natural problem-solving instincts to create the applications we use online or offline.

Software development is a high-paying online job in Kenya and around the world. 

How does software development pay?

Software developers analyze consumer problems and create programs that solve these challenges in the digital realm. They use programming languages such as Javascript, Python, and C+ to write algorithms that empower software to offer online services to consumers.

A good software developer acquires technical problem-solving skills through tertiary education in computer science, information technology, engineering, or mathematics. They then study standard programming languages and specialize in a few to gain mastery. 

Meanwhile, they cultivate other skills fundamental for successful career development, i.e., collaborative practices of producing code faster, also known as agile software development.

You don’t need to be an expert programmer to start working. Basic knowledge and a good sample of projects you have worked on could suffice. 

To start, you join online job platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr or apply to coding-specific job platforms such as Turing. Once you have an account, you can start applying for programming jobs you can deliver. 

Your target tasks should revolve around websites, phone apps, and bespoke apps development.

Broadcasting your sample projects is crucial in the early stages because it proves your skills before applying for jobs. 

Every task has a quote that you can accept or give a counter quote while bidding. To build a great reputation, you must complete tasks as required and within the stipulated deadline.

Your income will accumulate, and soon, you can withdraw from the job platforms once or twice a month.

If you can impress clients with high-quality deliverables, you’ll often get personal invites to work on future projects. That’s when you can dictate your price and make more money than on job boards.

Benefits of software development  

Software developers only need a laptop and a good internet connection to get work done. They can work from home, in coffee shops, or even while traveling. 

Software developers have the flexibility to work under personal schedules and collaborate seamlessly with teams despite location barriers.

Secondly, software development is a high-paying online job. Not many people understand code, and only a small percentage of internet users are experts in programming languages. 

If you can rise to the top of the cream and prove to be a master in certain areas, your potential of making a lot of money online grows tremendously with each passing project.

Lastly, software development requires problem-solving skills and creativity. Hence it can be a fulfilling career for those who love solving challenges using creative ideas.

Challenges of Software development.

First, it has a high barrier to entry. Software development is a technical skill; a preserve for computer-savvy individuals. You need to have skills beyond basic computer handling to take up an online career in software development.

Secondly, the industry is rapidly growing, making it hard for developers to keep up with changes. For instance, building one-piece software that functions in all devices is a norm today, which developers struggle to do, considering they need to integrate different languages and principles. 

Lastly, software programming can often be tedious and stressful. Programmers spend hours daily developing code and collaborating to build software. This work ethic can take a toll on your personal life.

Who is software development best for?

It is best for those with computer skills beyond basic. Also, you need to have a passion for mathematics and computer programming to make it in this industry. 

Nonetheless, I believe anyone can start from whichever position they’re in and learn how to code in less than 5 years.

If you think you can thrive as a software developer, take courses online, join forums and create an account on a job platform to kickstart your online career.

13. Graphic Design and Animation

Graphic designers are professionals who create visual content. Their works include illustrations, custom images, logos, posters, billboards, and other marketing materials. Meanwhile, animators create multiple frames that give movement illusion when displayed in sequence.

The demand for graphic designers and animators has grown over the last few years due to increased investment in marketing by brands. Hence it is a viable online job you can do in Kenya.

How do graphic design and animation pay?

Marketers know that people perceive visuals 1000X faster than words.

Businesses and brands need visual content for marketing purposes. So they approach graphic designers to curate visual illustrations and representations of ideas. 

As a graphic designer, you need to implement creativity to bring out a brand’s message using custom images. You’ll play with the brand colors, fonts, and words to create effective marketing visuals. All this is possible through special graphic design tools such as Illustrator, CorelDraw, PhotoShop, and Gimp.

The same applies to animators. Animation leverages video to send compelling messages. Considering that internet users nowadays prefer video over written content, you need to create interesting and compelling animations for marketing campaigns.

Again, special animation design software needs to be used to achieve this.

Every graphic and animation design project has a budget. A client will determine if you’re right for the job depending on previous projects. Expert designers have a reputation that precedes them, and clients will often seek their services. 

So you need to develop your design skills and rise to the top of the food chain to earn top dollar. Besides projects, you can make money from selling templates, training others, and becoming a design consultant. 

Graphic design opportunities online are countless, but you must be aggressive to lad gigs and keep clients coming back for more.

Benefits of graphic design and animation

An online career in graphic design allows you to be creative every day. Art lovers, especially, can derive a fulfilling career in design because their work involves generating creative visual ideas. As you work on different projects, you learn, gain experience and enjoy working. 

Secondly, as an online job, you can do it from any location as long as you’re connected to the internet for the sake of submitting work to clients. You get to choose when to work and when to relax. You can travel and enjoy a better personal life.

Last but not least, you have access to a huge variety of design opportunities. While it’s good to specialize, your employment is not tied to one industry. Graphic design is a creative skill applicable in multiple industries as long as you consider the basics; brand colors, logo, and the likes.

Challenges of graphic design and animation 

When designers undertake large repetitive projects, they face imminent burnout. It happens when they have been working on the same ideas for a long time with no hobby besides design. Burnout can be depressing if not mitigated sooner.

Secondly, graphic designers often have to defend their work to non-creatives. You’ll get questions such as why did you use this color? Can’t we use a smaller logo? Why can’t we just add this and that? These moments can be frustrating.

Lastly, you might often be overwhelmed with work and occasionally fail to meet deadlines. This stems from making unrealistic promises or not planning your work well. Eventually, you lose a few clients and have a hard time recovering. 

Who is graphic design and animation best for?

If you have a passion for art and basic computer skills, you can venture into graphic design or animation. However, you need high-quality computers that can handle computer-aided design programs. 

The best place to set off is any reputable online jobs board; Upwork, Fiverr, Flexjobs, etc. Create an account and start applying for design jobs. 

14. Youtube Vlogging

Vlogging is simply to blog using video as the preferred medium. As a Youtuber, you create videos that entertain, educate, or inspire people and upload them on your channel. Internet users will then stumble onto your videos depending on how well you have optimized for search.

Youtubing is a modern-day online job in Kenya responsible for some of the fastest-growing influencers.

How does YouTube pay?

YouTube is the second most visited website in the world after Google. Billions of internet users spend hours every day watching videos. With such humongous traffic, the platform is a goldmine for content creators to capture people’s attention.

How? YouTube is an advertising platform. It only makes sense considering the traffic. It displays adverts before and between video content and pays publishers for the generated ad revenue. 

Vloggers create video content and upload it on their channels with the hope of capturing a tiny percentage of daily youtube watchers. 

If your content is great, engaging, and captivating, your viewers will come in droves. However, if it’s uninteresting, viewers could care less. 

Ultimately, the number of views you get partly determines your income. Other factors include niche, subscribers, and viewer response.

In Kenya, YouTube pays between Ksh 300 to Ksh 500 per 1000 views, which could be more or less. High-income countries such as the USA and UK attract a higher average. 

If you can generate a million views monthly, you’ll be making a full-time job income. 

But before your channel can be monetizable, you must have over 1000 subscribers and accumulate over 4000 hours of viewership in the preceding 12 months. 

YouTube pays vloggers who are serious about creating high-quality content, So you need to take it seriously.

In the YouTube Partners Program, you are paid in two ways; CPM – Cost per thousand views, and CPC – Cost per click. The revenue you generate is divided into two; 45% goes to Google while you take 55% home. 

Your income accumulates on your Google Adsense account and is withdrawable once you pass the $100 mark. You have several options to choose from; Wire Transfer (costly), bank check (takes time), or Western Union.

Besides ads, you can make money on YouTube through affiliate marketing, selling products, and sponsorship deals. 

Benefits of Youtube Vlogging.

Vlogging is an entrepreneurial activity. You are your own boss. You choose what content to create when to work and who you work with. This allows you to dictate your work-life balance. 

Secondly, anyone can become a YouTuber. All you need is a phone with a good camera and microphone and a dependable internet connection. Start recording and slowly build your content. With time though, you’ll need to upgrade your equipment to improve your content quality.

Thirdly, Youtube vlogging is based on creativity. It gives you a platform to express yourself and your passions. It is an art with new experiences, especially if you enjoy traveling while vlogging. 

Lastly, vlogging builds your personal brand and makes you influential. If you can display mastery in your field of work and create valuable content, you become influential and get access to more opportunities.

Challenges of Youtube Vlogging 

Building a big fan base and getting to a point where you can earn reliable income from youtube takes time. There will be sleepless nights, depressing days, and moments you’ll want to quit. 

As a part-time YouTuber myself, I know you cannot progress without consistent content creation. So if you’re considering a career in vlogging, be ready to put in the work. 

Secondly, your privacy will be affected. As an influential person (in case you get there), you’ll be in the radars of other bloggers, vloggers, journalists, and normal citizens. You must be careful what you post online and do in public. 

All it takes is a paparazzi recording you in a compromising position or a hacker gaining access to your private files, and your reputation will be on the line. 

Lastly, constant criticism will be a daily event. Viewers will troll you, friends criticize your work, and haters try to bring you down. Vlogging is not for the faint-hearted. You need thick skin to get past all the backlash. 

Who is Youtube vlogging best for?

Vlogging is best for people who are not afraid of putting their lives out there. If you are comfortable being in front of the camera, you’re good to go. 

But if you’re shy and still want to make money from Youtube, you can create content that doesn’t necessitate your appearance, e.g., illustration videos and software user guides. 

Scout the internet for a few Youtube newbie guides and start publishing valuable content.

Conclusion

While freelancing seems like a good idea, it’s not the best choice for most people. The hustle you go through before building a sustainable online career is unbearable for many. 

If you’re lucky to be employed, stay put as you build your online career part-time.Invest part of your salary in your freelance job and network with other freelancers. 

Nonetheless, this list of lucrative online jobs in Kenya and elaboration of what each entails should give you a rough idea of what you’d love to do.

Pick wisely, focus, put in the work and within a few months, your life could be totally different and better.