If you want to start a business in Kenya, venture into one that’s easy to start and operate, but also one that is profitable. Some businesses don’t even require a license, you can wake up today and set it up. It’s also a fact that majority of Kenyans don’t want capital intensive businesses, or those that can take several months to set up, this is because they are not patient enough.
Below is a compiled list of easiest businesses to start in Kenya
Kinyozi
Capital:Ksh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Daily profits:Ksh 5000 to Ksh 10,000
License fee:Ksh 7,000 to Ksh 10,000 per year
YouTube channel
Another easy business to start in Kenya and become a millionaire in the long run. YouTube channel can generate up to Ksh 1 million per month, depending on traffic figures. To get started, create a YouTube channel for free and upload original videos into the channel. When the channel is 12 months old with 4000 watch hours and at least 500 subscribers, apply for AdSense. AdSense approval takes less than a week.
Amount of money to earn from YouTube in Kenya
10,000 views—Ksh 500 to Ksh 1,000
20,000 views—Ksh 1,000 to Ksh 3,000
50,000 views—Ksh 5,000 to Ksh 10,000
100,000 views—Ksh 20,000 to Ksh 35,000
500,000 views—Ksh 50,000 to Ksh 80,000
1 million views—Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 150,000
To earn a decent income, get more than 100,000 subscribers and also post high quality videos daily which will get your visitors glued to them. Your content should also target USA traffic.
Hawking
Hawking require a capital of as low as Ksh 5,000. You don’t need any license to operate the business. To be a successful hawker continually move within and between streets looking for buyers. The experience acquired from hawking will help them start more competitive, stable and profitable business. Hawking is for individuals with tiny capital and limited time for setting up a long term business. It’s ideal business for people who want money now.
Selling mitumba clothes
Mitumba business is easy to start. You simply visit Gikomba and select clothes based on your customers’ taste. You need a capital of Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 50,000 to set it up.
Profits will depend on the volumes of sales. You will make upwards of Ksh 500 daily.
If you acquire a premise for the business, you’ll pay rent and also pay for license per year, both will require Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 25,000.
Selling Mandazi and Chapati in estates
Crowded estates like Kibra, Kayole, Pipeline, Githurai,Rongai and Kitengela offer you opportunity to sell mandazi and chapati within and make money. The business require capital of as low as Ksh 2,000.
There are many people doing this business, others earning over Ksh 2,000 daily.
MPESA shop
Mpesa require capital of Ksh 80,000 to Ksh 150,000. You require a float and a license from your county. It’s one of the easiest businesses to start in Kenya.
Grocery shop
Capital:Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
License:Ksh 8,000 to Ksh 15,000
Profit:Ksh 500 to Ksh 3000 daily
Selling cereals
Capital:Ksh 70,000 to Ksh 200,000
License:Ksh 7,000 to Ksh 12,000
Daily profits:Ksh 500 to Ksh 4,000
Starting online taxi business
Capital:Ksh 400,000 to Ksh 600,000
License:Ksh 15,000 to Ksh 20,000
Daily Profit:Ksh 600 to Ksh 5,000
Selling fresh juice
Capital: Ksh 20,000 to Ksh100,000
License: Ksh 0 to Ksh10,000 annually
Daily profit: Ksh 300 to Ksh20,000
Starting pool table business
Pool table business is profitable but it requires one to be in good books of the police. If you don’t befriend them, they will harass you until you close.
You should also set it up near or within entertainment joints.
Capital: Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 150,000
License: Ksh 7,000 to Ksh 10,000 per year
Daily profit: Ksh 500 to Ksh 2,000
Printing, Scanning and photocopy business
The business should be set up near a school, college, police station or town CBD.
Capital: Ksh 150,000 to Ksh 250,000
License: Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 15,000 annually
Daily profit: Ksh 1,000 to Ksh 4,000
Farming
You can do sheep farming, goat farming, dairy farming or grow crops. It all depends on the capital you have and the size of the shamba. Farming is a profitable venture if done right.
Sheep farming is turning out to be one of the most profitable ventures in Kenya today. Most butcheries slaughter sheep instead of goat. You can buy a young one of a sheep for Ksh 4,000,grow it for 4 months and sell for Ksh 10,000,making a profit of Ksh 6,000.
Kienyeji chicken business is also profitable at the moment—you can venture into this business.
Butchery business
Butchery business is one of the most underrated businesses in Kenya but it’s profitable. The business will boom anywhere in Kenya. Capital required is Ksh 150,000 to Ksh 300,000. License will cost Ksh 20,000 to Ksh 30,000 per year while profits will range between Ksh 800 and Ksh 8,000 per day.
Fast food restaurant
Fast food restaurant is easy to start and operate as long as you have constant suppliers of your stock.
Capital: Ksh 200,000 to Ksh 300,000
License: Ksh 20,000 to Ksh 30,000 per year
Profit: Ksh 1000 to Ksh 10,000 per day
Cosmetics shop
Capital: Ksh 150,000 to Ksh 300,000
License: Ksh 7,000 to Ksh 15,000 per year
Profit: Ksh 500 to Ksh 3,000 daily
Blogging
Blogging is difficult to generate decent income, it requires patience. The capital required is below Ksh 20,000. As a blogger, you have to create high quality content that your readers love so as to keep getting visitors. Bloggers make money through AdSense, Direct banner ads and sponsored posts. In Kenya, the average monthly income of a blogger is Ksh 50,000
Perfume refilling business
Here you mix at least 2 perfumes or sell expensive perfume in small portions. It’s one of the easiest businesses to start. Get a capital of Ksh 30,000 and buy the popular brands, then sell on the streets.
Smartphone repair business
As long as you possess skills in smartphone repairs, setting up the business will be easy. You only require a room where you’ll be operating from. A capital of Ksh20,000 is enough.
Selling gas cylinders
Gas cylinder business is also not a difficult one to start. Capital required range between Ksh150,000 and Ksh 300,000. You will be making Ksh 500 to Ksh 5,000 daily depending on the population in that area.
The business is most profitable in highly populated areas like Pipeline, Kayole, Kangemi, Utawala, Kitengela and Githurai.
One of the challenges you will face is that your cylinders might be stolen any time.You have to set the business in a highly secure place.
How to get capital for your business
- Join a Sacco and get a loan
- Get money from Chama
- Join the 52 week challenge and save money for the business
- Through your salary
- Take a loan from your bank
- Get a loan from Mobile Loan App
- Get a loan from your friend or family member
Avoid loans from Microfinance institutions. Those institutions will lend you Ksh 100,000 and demand Ksh300,000 back.
