“Watu wengi wanangoja kazi ya ofisi, wakisahau kuna pesa mtaani.” — A statement I once heard from a mama mboga in Githurai, and it stuck with me.
In Kenya today, the idea that only white-collar jobs can secure your future has misled many young people. Yet, those who embrace simple, hands-on work are quietly building stable lives and even growing faster than graduates who are still job hunting.
Based on observation and real stories on the ground, here are three surprising jobs that many overlook, yet they can quietly become your daily bread—and more.
1. Shoe Shining – A Simple Job with Daily Returns
Ask anyone in Nairobi CBD, and they’ll tell you shoe shiners never lack customers—especially in the early morning rush.
Take Dennis, a 24-year-old in Umoja. With a borrowed stool, brush, and polish worth KSh 200, he began shining shoes near a matatu stage. Today, on good days, he makes up to KSh 1,200 before 3pm. It’s not just a job—it’s a business, and one that many young people ignore because of stigma.
2. Selling Carrier Bags – Profits in Every Corner
Walk around any major market in Kenya—Gikomba, Muthurwa, or Kongowea—and you’ll see carrier bag hawkers moving fast. Why? Because shoppers rarely carry bags from home.
James, a 20-year-old form four leaver, sells paper and woven carrier bags in Nakuru Town.
He buys in bulk and sells with a margin of KSh 5–10 per bag. In one market day, he sells up to 200 bags. That’s KSh 1,000–2,000 profit—all cash.
3. Barbering – Quiet Hustle, Loyal Clients
Haircuts are a constant need, and in estates like Kayole or Kisauni, a skilled barber never lacks work.
Linet, a young single mother in Kisumu, trained for two weeks and borrowed clippers from a cousin.
Within a month, she had saved enough to buy her own equipment. Today, she charges KSh 100 per cut, and with 15–20 clients daily, she earns over KSh 1,500 a day. Her dream is to open a second shop.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a fancy degree to succeed. Sometimes, the fastest path to growth is right in your neighborhood.
The next time you walk past a shoe shiner or hawker, remember—they might be making more than someone in an office. What matters is starting and staying consistent.
You must be logged in to post a comment.