If we are being honest, as much as being married is great and all, relying solely on your partner’s income in this economy is not the best idea. That’s like going to the desert with just one bottle of water; brave, but terribly risky. Having a side hustle or something of your own as a woman isn’t just about money, it’s about peace of mind. Men are always talking about peace of mind, how their women should be their peace, but who gives the wife peace? Having your own source of income no matter how small, goes a long way with that.
Whether it’s braiding, baking or running an Instagram thrift shop, that little extra income can be the difference between “we’re struggling” and “I got this.” it could be the difference between demeaning questions like, “what do you bring to the table,” and “maybe you need to go out and have some fun.” Familiarity breeds contempt they say, and when a person knows they have you fully hooked and dependant on them, then the subtle contempt starts. When you earn your extra coins, they become a financial cushion that softens life’s unexpected blows because, let’s face it, rainy days come unannounced – and they don’t care if your umbrella is in your husband’s name.
Beyond the cash, having your own thing does wonders for your confidence. There’s pride in knowing you can pay for your own salon visit without blinking – or better yet, start your own line of hair products. You stop waiting for someone to give you permission to dream or spend. And in a world where identity can easily get swallowed by titles like “Mama so-and-so” or “Mrs. Somebody,” your hustle reminds you who you are. It’s like having a secret superpower, just less spandex, more M-Pesa transactions. Also it’s quite clear that a woman with her own income doesn’t automatically become rebellious. She just becomes… harder to manipulate. Which is ofcourse a good thing. At the end of the day marriage should be a partnership, not a polite hostage situation. So even if your man is supportive, loving and loaded, keep your hustle. Not because you’re planning to leave; but because you’re planning to stay smart.
Here are 15 realistic, empowering side hustles perfect for stay-at-home moms, youth and women seeking financial freedom. Remember this isn’t just about money, it’s about freedom, purpose and possibility.
- Freelance Writing and Blogging.
Do you love expressing yourself through words? Kenyan platforms and international clients pay well for articles, stories and blogs. Where to start: Upwork, Fiverr, ProBlogger.
A famous example is Magunga Williams who started as a blogger and now runs a publishing house.
2. Transcription and Captioning Jobs.
Get paid to type out audio and video files. All you need is earphones and a laptop. Famous Platforms include but aren’t limited to; GoTranscript, Rev, TranscribeMe
3. Start an Online Thrift Store.
Sell secondhand clothes, baby items or shoes on WhatsApp or Instagram. Think Thrift Trendz KE , who built a following on Instagram and now has delivery partners. Pro tip: Use Canva to create simple marketing posters. Around 2018 when I was into selling thrift I opened Apise Collections and Lingerie and pajama hub. Both Facebook pages for selling children clothing and sleepwear respectively. Both did relatively well and I made alot of money from online sales. I made deliveries countrywide and gathered some loyal buyers. All from the comfort of my house.
Most people who want to go this route might not have time to go thrifting in gikomba or other such markets, especially the stay at home mums. Fear of being sold low quality bales is also a thing. All the years I bought bales (and they are many, I’ve bought hundreds of bales) I never got one wrong bale. This is not a paid for ad btw, but if you are interested in buying bales visit the godowns in Cabanas shop number 62 or 64, I don’t remember well- it’s been a while. Call David on 0712471419 and thank me later (because most people gatekeep this kind of information, you know, to keep the competition small)
Back in the days when I used to sell thrift clothing, at a godown along Msa Road.
4. Become a Virtual Assistant (VA).
Virtual assistant jobs are growing in Kenya especially with the rise of remote work. Beginners can look for opportunities on local job boards and freelancing platforms. Here are some places to check:
Freelancer – Another freelancing platform offering remote work opportunities for beginners.
Fiverr – A global platform where you can offer services like data entry, customer support, social media management, and more.
Upwork – A popular freelancing site where beginners can find virtual assistant roles.
BrighterMonday Kenya – Local job board with opportunities in administrative and remote roles.
LinkedIn – Many companies post remote positions, including virtual assistant roles.
5. Offer Childcare Services from Home.
You don’t even need a big space to pull this off. A cousin of mine that lives in Kawangware started a small day care unintentionally. A neighbor used to leave her child with her when she first got employed and soon requested to be paying her something small so she could stay with the child Monday to Friday. And that is how an idea was born. If you’re already at home with your children, turn it into a part-time daycare. Start small: Offer to a few neighbors and grow through referrals.
6. Sell Homemade Snacks or Products.
Make and sell peanut butter, vitumbua, or cleaning products locally. Tip: List on Facebook Marketplace or join estate WhatsApp groups. Inspo: Mama Rocks started selling burgers from a food truck and now runs a brand. I also know someone that bought a small peanut making machine and is currently supplying her products to supermarkets. Fun fact; homemade peanut butter is better than anything they’ll ever sell at the supermarket.
7. YouTube Content Creation
Talk about motherhood, cooking or life hacks. This is your everyday life, it’s easier to talk about it.
Your story matters. Start free: Use your phone + InShot for editing. Well known examples include Miss Trudy and Mungai Eve.
8. Online Tutoring or Coaching.
Teach a subject you love on Zoom or WhatsApp—be it English, makeup, or baking. It could be a hobby, something you really enjoy doing. Why not make money of it? All you need to do is start, even if it’s knitting. Try: TeacherOn, or create packages on Canva.
Turn your hobby into a money making scheme
9. Affiliate Marketing for Kenyan Brands.
Affiliate marketing for Kenyan brands can be a great way to earn passive income from home. Where to start from? Create a blog first and start creating engaging content. Once your traffic picks up you can:
- Local businesses: Approach local brands directly to discuss partnership opportunities.
- Choose a Niche: Focus on a specific niche that resonates with your audience. For example, if your blog is about travel, you can affiliate with travel agencies, airlines, or accommodation providers in Kenya.
- Find Affiliate Programs: Look for Kenyan brands that offer affiliate programs. Some popular Kenyan affiliate programs include:
- Jumia Kenya: Offers a variety of products for affiliate marketing.
- Kilimall: Another e-commerce platform with affiliate opportunities.
- Safaricom: They sometimes offer affiliate programs for promoting their services.
Share your affiliate links on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter. Create posts that highlight your affiliate products and why you recommend them. Engaging content with affiliate links works best if it’s organic and not overly salesy.
10. Voiceover Work and Audiobooks.
Got a great voice? Use it! All you need is a good app and headphones. You could Record ads or narrate stories. Especially if your voice is soothing, try narrating stuff like bedtime stories. How: Use free apps like Voice Recorder and post samples on SoundCloud.
11. Dropshipping and Print-on-Demand.
Sell custom t-shirts, mugs or planners without owning any stock. Use: Shopify, Printify, or Kenya’s Sky.Garden
12. Create and Sell Digital Products.
Design planners, eBooks, or journal pages. Sell them on Payhip or Gumroad. Inspo: Kaluhi’s Kitchen sells meal plans and recipe books online. Apps like Chatgpt has made work so much easier. Ask AI to write you any topics you are interested in capitalising and sell them as ebooks.
13. Online Surveys and Micro tasks.
Do quick jobs like answering surveys, identifying objects in photos, or reviewing websites.Try: Swagbucks, Remote asks, Toluna. This usually takes a really short time.
In conclusion, side hustles have become more than just a means of extra income for women; they represent a powerful tool for empowerment, independence and self-expression. It’s important for women to boost their financial security and also redefine traditional career paths while pursuing their passions, creating their own schedules and building a life that aligns with their unique aspirations.