Finding a legitimate way to make money online in Kenya can feel like a full-time job in itself. We’ve all seen those “earn 5,000 per day” ads that turn out to be scams. But here is the good news: the digital economy in Kenya is booming, and with M-Pesa, getting paid has never been easier.
Whether you are a student at UoN, a stay-at-home parent in Nakuru, or someone looking for a side hustle in Nairobi, there are real opportunities waiting for you. In this guide, I’m breaking down 15 proven online jobs that pay directly via M-Pesa. No complicated bank wires, just straight-to-your-phone cash.
1. Transcription Jobs (Converting Audio to Text)
Transcription is one of the most reliable ways to start earning online. Your job is simple: listen to an audio or video file and type out what you hear. Many local and international companies need this to create meeting minutes, subtitles, or legal records.
To succeed here, you need a good pair of headphones and a fast typing speed. Most platforms pay per “audio minute,” meaning the clearer the audio and the faster you type, the more you make. It’s perfect for those who have a quiet environment and great listening skills.
Getting started is straightforward. You usually have to pass a short grammar and typing test. Once you are in, you can pick files that interest you, from medical lectures to business interviews.
For Kenyan freelancers, platforms like GoTranscript and Rev are popular, but local sites like ApexListings often connect you to Kenyan clients who pay directly via M-Pesa. Even on global sites, you can use the PayPal-to-M-Pesa link to get your cash in minutes.
How to get started:
- Sign up on a platform like GoTranscript or WorkKE.
- Take the mandatory grammar and transcription test.
- Complete your profile and add your M-Pesa-linked PayPal account.
- Start with short, easy files to build your rating.
- Withdraw your earnings once you hit the minimum threshold (usually $10).
2. Social Media Management
Do you spend hours on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook? You can actually turn those hours into a paycheck. Many small businesses in Kenya (SMEs) have great products but no idea how to post consistently or respond to customer inquiries.
As a social media manager, you handle their online presence. This includes creating posts, replying to DMs, and running occasional ads. It’s a job you can do entirely from your smartphone using apps like Canva and CapCut.
The best part about this role is that most Kenyan business owners prefer to pay via M-Pesa. You can charge a monthly “retainer” fee, which gives you a predictable income. For example, managing one Instagram page could earn you KES 10,000 to 20,000 per month.
Since you are local, you understand the “Kenyan vibe” and slang (Sheng) better than a virtual assistant from overseas. This makes you more valuable to local brands trying to reach a Kenyan audience.
How to get started:
- Create a professional profile on Instagram or LinkedIn showcasing your skills.
- Identify 5 local businesses with a “messy” social media presence.
- Send them a polite DM offering to manage their page for a week for free.
- Show them the results (more followers/engagement) and pitch a monthly rate.
- Request your payment via M-Pesa at the end of every month.
3. Academic and Research Writing
Academic writing is a huge industry in Kenya. Students and researchers globally often outsource their essays, term papers, and thesis formatting to skilled writers. If you were good at English or specialized subjects in school, this is for you.
This job requires a high level of discipline and an eye for detail. You must understand different formatting styles like APA, MLA, and Harvard. Plagiarism is a big “no-no” here; everything you write must be 100% original.
Most writers start by working for “account owners”—people who own the bidding accounts on sites like UvoCorp or WritersLabs. However, more Kenyans are now creating their own accounts or finding direct clients on LinkedIn.
The pay is usually per page (275 words). Prices range from KES 300 to KES 800 per page depending on the complexity. Since most writers in Kenya work in “writing hubs,” the payment is almost always settled via M-Pesa on a weekly basis.
How to get started:
- Join Facebook groups like “Academic Writers Kenya” to find mentors or job leads.
- Learn the basic formatting styles (APA 7th edition is the most common).
- Practice writing 500-word samples on different topics.
- Apply to sites like Nerdy Turtlez or find a reliable account holder to write for.
- Ensure you have a reliable internet connection and a laptop—this one is hard to do on a phone.
4. Virtual Assistant (VA)
A Virtual Assistant is basically an online personal secretary. You help busy entrepreneurs with tasks like scheduling meetings, managing emails, booking flights, or doing basic data entry. It’s a diverse role that never gets boring.
The demand for VAs has skyrocketed as more businesses go remote. You don’t need a degree to be a VA; you just need to be organized, tech-savvy, and a good communicator. Knowing how to use Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar) is a must.
Many Kenyan VAs work for international clients on platforms like Upwork. Thanks to the direct Upwork-to-M-Pesa integration, you can withdraw your dollars and receive Kenya Shillings on your phone within minutes.
Alternatively, you can work for local CEOs who need someone to manage their busy schedules. Local gigs are often advertised on WorkKE or through networking on LinkedIn.
How to get started:
- List your skills: Are you good at email, research, or booking travel?
- Set up a profile on Upwork or Freelancer.com.
- Apply for “Entry Level” VA roles.
- If working locally, search for “Personal Assistant” roles on Kenyan job boards.
- Set up your M-Pesa as the primary withdrawal method on your freelance platform.
5. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is the art of “refer and earn.” You promote a company’s products or services using a unique link, and when someone makes a purchase through that link, you get a commission. It’s a great way to earn passive income.
In Kenya, several companies offer M-Pesa-friendly affiliate programs. Jumia and Kilimall are the big ones for physical products, while companies like HostPinnacle and Safaricom offer commissions for web hosting and data services.
You don’t need to own the products. You just need an audience. Many Kenyans are making a killing by sharing product links on WhatsApp Status, Facebook Groups, or through niche blogs.
The key to success is trust. Don’t just spam links; recommend products you actually like. For instance, if you’re a tech fan, you could review the latest smartphones and share your affiliate link for people to buy on Jumia.
How to get started:
- Sign up for the Jumia Affiliate Program or HostPinnacle Affiliates.
- Choose a niche (e.g., fashion, electronics, or beauty).
- Create helpful content around those products (like a “Top 5 Laptops under 30k” post).
- Include your affiliate link in the description.
- Withdraw your commissions via M-Pesa once you reach the minimum payout (usually KES 1,000).
6. Article and Blog Writing (Content Writing)
Unlike academic writing, content writing is about creating engaging articles for websites, blogs, and magazines. If you enjoy storytelling or explaining things, this is a fantastic career path.
Websites need fresh content to show up on Google. As a content writer, you’ll write about anything from “How to Cook Pilau” to “The Best Insurance Companies in Kenya.” You need to understand basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to help your articles rank higher.
Local digital agencies are always looking for freelance writers. They usually pay per word, and the standard rate for beginners is about KES 0.5 to KES 1.0 per word. A 1,000-word article could earn you KES 1,000.
Many writers also use Fiverr or Upwork to find international clients. These platforms pay much better (sometimes KES 5,000+ per article), and you can still get that money via M-Pesa through PayPal or Payoneer.
How to get started:
- Start a free blog on Medium or WordPress to showcase your writing.
- Learn the basics of SEO (keywords, headings, and meta descriptions).
- Pitch your services to Kenyan news sites or digital marketing agencies.
- Join “Freelance Writers Kenya” on Facebook for job alerts.
- Always ask for a deposit via M-Pesa before starting work for a new local client.
7. Data Entry Gigs
Data entry is the ultimate “beginner” job. It involves taking information from one format (like a PDF or a handwritten note) and entering it into another (like an Excel sheet or a database). It doesn’t require complex skills, just speed and accuracy.
While the pay isn’t as high as specialized skills like coding, data entry is consistent. Many companies have massive amounts of data that need cleaning or organizing.
You can find these jobs on sites like Freelancer.com or Amazon Mechanical Turk. For local opportunities, check ApexListings, where Kenyan businesses post small data tasks that pay via M-Pesa.
Be careful with “Typing Jobs” that ask for a registration fee—those are almost always scams. Real data entry jobs will never ask you to pay to work.
How to get started:
- Master Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
- Take a typing speed test online (aim for 50+ words per minute).
- Create a profile on WorkKE or Freelancer.com.
- Search for “Data Entry” or “Data Processing” tasks.
- Link your M-Pesa to your payment profile for instant withdrawals.
8. Online Surveys
Can you really get paid for your opinion? Yes, but don’t expect to get rich. Online surveys are a great way to earn “airtime money” or small amounts of cash during your commute or while waiting for a meeting.
Companies use surveys to understand market trends in Kenya. They might ask what brand of cooking oil you use or which mobile network you prefer. Sites like GeoPoll, OpinionSpace, and PaidViewpoint are very popular in Kenya.
The best part about GeoPoll is that they often pay directly in airtime or M-Pesa credit. It’s low-effort work that you can do entirely on your phone.
Just be sure to fill out your profile completely so the platforms send you surveys that actually match your demographics.
How to get started:
- Download the GeoPoll app or sign up on OpinionSpace.
- Complete your initial profile (be honest!).
- Turn on notifications so you don’t miss new surveys.
- Answer questions accurately—consistent answers build your “trust score.”
- Redeem your points for M-Pesa cash or airtime.
9. Selling Digital Products
If you are an expert in something, why not sell that knowledge? Digital products include things like E-books, PDF guides, revision papers, or even Canva templates. Once you create the product, you can sell it a thousand times.
In Kenya, teachers are making a lot of money selling CBC (Competency-Based Curriculum) lesson plans and revision kits on platforms like Kenyaplex. They get paid via M-Pesa every time a parent or fellow teacher downloads their file.
You could also sell a guide on “How to Start a Kinyozi Business” or “Poultry Farming for Beginners.” Use your WhatsApp Status and Facebook groups to market your PDF and have people pay via M-Pesa before you send the file.
How to get started:
- Identify a problem you can solve (e.g., “I know how to pass the driving test”).
- Write a simple 10-20 page guide in Google Docs and save it as a PDF.
- Create an attractive cover using Canva (it’s free!).
- Advertise your product on TikTok or WhatsApp.
- Use an automated system or simply send the PDF manually once you receive the M-Pesa payment.
10. Graphic Design for Local Brands
Every new business in Kenya needs a logo, business cards, and posters for social media. If you have an eye for color and layout, graphic design is a high-demand skill.
You don’t even need expensive software like Photoshop to start. Many successful Kenyan designers use Canva to create stunning visuals for local SMEs. As you grow, you can learn more professional tools like Adobe Illustrator.
Local clients are great because they pay quickly via M-Pesa. You can charge per design (e.g., KES 1,000 for a logo) or offer a package (e.g., KES 5,000 for a full “Social Media Brand Kit”).
To find clients, just look at the businesses in your neighborhood. Do they have a professional-looking flyer? If not, offer to make them one.
How to get started:
- Learn the basics of design on YouTube.
- Master Canva or Figma.
- Build a portfolio of “mock” designs for famous brands to show what you can do.
- Join local business groups on Facebook and offer your services.
- Get paid a 50% deposit via M-Pesa before you start any project.
11. Online Tutoring
With the rise of remote learning, online tutoring has become a massive opportunity. If you are good at Math, Science, or even a foreign language like Swahili, you can teach students from around the world—or right here in Kenya.
For local students, you can offer private tuition over Zoom or WhatsApp Video. Parents are often happy to pay via M-Pesa for a 1-hour session that keeps their child ahead in school.
If you want to teach globally, platforms like Preply or iTalki allow you to teach Swahili to foreigners. They pay in dollars, which you can easily move to M-Pesa via PayPal.
Teaching online allows you to set your own hours and work from the comfort of your living room.
How to get started:
- Pick a subject you are an expert in.
- Set up a quiet, well-lit space for video calls.
- Advertise your services on Facebook groups for parents in your area.
- For global teaching, register on Preply and record a short intro video.
- Request payment via M-Pesa for local sessions or link PayPal for international ones.
12. Becoming a TikTok Content Creator
TikTok is no longer just for dancing; it’s a powerful business tool. In Kenya, creators are making money through “Live Gifts,” brand partnerships, and promoting their own services.
Once you hit 1,000 followers, you can go “Live.” During these sessions, viewers can send you “gifts” which are essentially digital coins that you can convert into cash. Many Kenyan creators earn thousands of shillings every night just by interacting with their fans.
Brands also look for influencers with an engaged audience. Even if you only have 5,000 followers, a local shop might pay you to mention their products in a video.
The payout from TikTok is usually via PayPal, which, as we’ve discussed, is a direct bridge to your M-Pesa wallet.
How to get started:
- Pick a “niche” (e.g., comedy, cooking, or finance tips).
- Post at least one video every day to trigger the TikTok algorithm.
- Engage with your followers in the comments.
- Reach 1,000 followers and start going Live.
- Withdraw your “Diamonds” to PayPal and then to M-Pesa.
13. AI Training and Data Annotation
AI is the future, but it needs humans to teach it. Companies like Remotask hire Kenyans to label images, transcribe short audio clips, or identify objects in videos so that AI systems can learn.
This is very similar to data entry but more interactive. For example, you might be shown a picture of a street and asked to draw boxes around all the cars and pedestrians.
Remotask is particularly popular in Kenya because they have a very reliable payment system. They pay weekly, and you can withdraw your earnings to your PayPal account, which then goes to M-Pesa.
It’s a great job for people who are patient and can follow strict instructions. The more accurate you are, the higher-paying tasks you unlock.
How to get started:
- Sign up on Remotask.com.
- Complete the free training “bootcamps” for different tasks.
- Start with low-pay tasks to build your accuracy score.
- Move on to higher-paying “LiDAR” or language tasks.
- Link your PayPal account and withdraw your earnings every Tuesday.
14. Managing a Facebook Page for Local Shops
This is a specific version of social media management. Many local “Dukas,” chemists, and hardware stores have Facebook pages that haven’t been updated since 2019.
Your job is to go to these shops, take nice photos of their products with your phone, and post them on their Facebook page. You can also share the posts in local “Estate” groups (like “Kilimani Mums” or “Eldoret Business Hub”) to drive sales.
Since you are bringing them actual customers, shop owners are usually very happy to pay. It’s a very practical, “feet-on-the-ground” online job.
You can manage 5 or 10 such shops in your neighborhood, charging each KES 3,000 a month. That’s a cool KES 30,000 for just taking photos and posting!
How to get started:
- Walk around your neighborhood and identify shops with poor online presence.
- Offer to manage their Facebook page for a small monthly fee.
- Take high-quality photos using your smartphone.
- Post consistently and respond to customer queries.
- Get your monthly payment via M-Pesa.
15. User Testing (Testing Apps and Websites)
Companies want to know if their websites are easy to use. They will pay you to visit a site, perform a few tasks (like finding the “Buy” button), and record your thoughts out loud.
Sites like UserTesting and Userlytics hire people from all over the world, including Kenya. A typical 20-minute test can pay $10 (approx. KES 1,300).
You need a laptop with a microphone and a stable internet connection. You don’t need to be a tech expert; they actually want “regular” people to see if the site is confusing.
Like most global gigs, these platforms pay via PayPal, which you can then withdraw to M-Pesa.
How to get started:
- Sign up on UserTesting.com.
- Take a sample test to check your audio and video quality.
- Wait for test invitations in your email.
- Complete tests honestly and speak clearly.
- Withdraw your cash to M-Pesa via PayPal.
Summary Table: Which Job is Right for You?
| Job Type | Skill Level | Equipment Needed | Pay Potential |
| Transcription | Medium | Laptop + Headphones | KES 20k – 50k / mo |
| Social Media | Low | Smartphone | KES 10k – 30k / mo |
| Academic Writing | High | Laptop + Internet | KES 40k – 100k / mo |
| Online Surveys | Very Low | Smartphone | KES 1k – 5k / mo |
| Affiliate Marketing | Medium | Smartphone / Blog | KES 5k – Unlimited |
Final Thoughts: How to Avoid Scams
While these 15 jobs are legitimate, the internet still has predators. Always remember: If a job asks you to pay a “registration fee” or “security deposit” to start working, it is a scam. Real employers pay you; you don’t pay them.
M-Pesa has truly leveled the playing field for Kenyans. You no longer need a fancy office or a corporate bank account to earn a living. Pick one skill from this list, dedicate two hours a day to it, and watch your M-Pesa balance grow.