Side Hustles for Students in Kenya (2025 Edition)
In 2025, students in Kenya are finding creative and legit ways to earn extra income through side hustles. These hustles not only help with daily expenses like data, food, and transport but also offer valuable experience and potential career paths.
Sharon Koech
Life as a student in Kenya today isn’t easy. Between paying for meals, transport, data bundles, and the occasional group project, your allowance often disappears before mid-month. But what if you could earn something extra on the side — without needing a big investment or interfering with your studies?
That’s where side hustles come in. Side hustles help you gain experience, learn financial discipline, and even create a path to becoming self-employed in the future. Whether you’re in university, KMTC, college, or even high school — here are some of the best legit side hustles for students in Kenya in 2025.
1. Freelancing Online
Freelancing is one of the most flexible and profitable side hustles available. It allows you to work from anywhere — your hostel, a cyber café, or even under a tree with a good hotspot.
You can offer services like:
- Academic writing
- Blogging and article writing
- Transcription and captioning
- Graphic design
- Web development and programming
There are thousands of clients looking for such services online. You can register on platforms like:
- Fiverr.com
- Upwork.com
- PeoplePerHour.com
- TranscribeMe
Pro tip: Build your portfolio using free jobs, then start charging clients as you build reputation and reviews.
2. Reselling & Campus Business
Selling products to fellow students is another easy way to earn. Since you live and interact with your target market daily, you already understand their needs.
Items you can sell include:
- Phone accessories (chargers, power banks, earphones)
- Perfumes and body sprays
- Second-hand clothes (mitumba)
- Snacks like mandazi, crisps, boiled eggs, smokies
- Stationery and exam past papers
Buy from local markets, wholesalers, or use apps like Jumia and Kilimall. Some students even use Facebook Marketplace to find cheap stock.
3. Content Creation (TikTok, YouTube, Instagram)
Are you funny, smart, or creative? Start a TikTok or YouTube channel and post content that other students can relate to. Ideas include:
- Campus life skits
- Motivational content
- Study tips
- Budget cooking hacks
- Funny videos or interviews
Once you grow your audience, you can earn money through:
- Brand sponsorships
- Affiliate marketing
- YouTube ads (after hitting 1,000 subs and 4,000 watch hours)
Use your smartphone to start. You don’t need expensive equipment — just good ideas and consistency.
4. Social Media Management
Most businesses in Kenya are going online, but they don’t understand how social media works. That’s where you come in.
As a student, you likely spend a lot of time on TikTok, Twitter, or Instagram. Why not use that knowledge to help others?
Offer to manage a small business's page — post their content, engage with customers, and grow their followers. You can charge Ksh 500 to Ksh 2,000 per month per page depending on what you offer.
5. Assignment Typing & Printing
If you have a laptop or access to a cyber café, you can make money by typing and formatting assignments, CVs, or business documents.
You can also do:
- PowerPoint slides
- Cover letters
- Certificates and poster design
Even if you don’t own a printer, you can outsource printing and still earn a profit margin.
Print past papers and notes, then sell copies to students.
6. Affiliate Marketing & Referrals
With affiliate marketing, you promote products using a link — and earn a commission when someone buys.
You can join:
- Jumia affiliate program – earn Ksh 100–1,000 per sale
- Betting affiliate programs – get paid per sign-up
- App referrals like HustleSasa, Zenka, Branch, Tala
Post your affiliate links on WhatsApp status, Facebook groups, or inside your blog or website.
7. Tutoring or Academic Coaching
If you’re good in a particular subject like Math, English, Kiswahili, or Sciences — offer tuition to first-year students or even high school kids near your campus.
You can teach online via Zoom/Google Meet or do physical tutoring over weekends.
You can also create simple revision guides and sell them digitally.
Bonus Hustle: Sell Digital Products
Use your skills to create:
- Study notes or summaries
- Simple posters
- Motivational PDFs
- “How to…” eBooks
Package your digital product, post it online, and receive payments via M-Pesa.
Even an eBook like “How to Save on a Student Budget” can sell for Ksh 100–300 each.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, you don’t need a rich sponsor or a “big job” to make money. You just need a little creativity, discipline, and consistency. Most of these side hustles require zero or very little capital — but they can grow into full businesses with time.
As you start your hustle:
- Stay consistent
- Use social media to market your services
- Manage your time wisely (don't neglect your studies)
- Save and reinvest your profits
Start small, think big — and never underestimate a hustle that earns you even Ksh 50 a day. That’s Ksh 1,500 a month — enough to sort your bundles or even print notes.
What’s Your Side Hustle?
Have you tried any of these? Do you have your own hustle story? Share it in the comments or DM us on Instagram — we might just feature you in our next article.
