Have you ever thought about starting a business but felt held back by the cost?
The good news is, that there are plenty of cheap businesses to start in Kenya that require little capital yet have significant potential for success.
In fact, some of the most profitable businesses in Kenya today started with just a small budget, and the will to push through the tougher initial phase associated with any type of business.
Now, starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. You can take any idea, grow it in phases, and then scale it once you have the means.
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel either. Jump on what’s working, position yourself as the go-to shop for all things regarding your products. In the beginning, the growth will be quite slow, since you have to build your reputation. With time, things should start picking up.
Are there really cheap businesses in Kenya?
Yes. You could start a thriving snack business in Nairobi for less than KES 10,000, or launch an online business for just KES 5,000.
The beauty of the businesses I share on this list is their flexibility. You can begin on a part-time basis while still keeping your current job. This is the best way to minimize financial risk and even learn the ropes before jumping all in.
Many of these ventures also leverage skills you already have, so you’re not starting from scratch.
1) Start a Local Blog
Blogging has become one of the most profitable online ventures in Kenya that one can start for cheap.
It allows you to express your ideas, share your knowledge, and even make money—all from the comfort of your home.
Some of the most profitable niches for blogging in Kenya include:
- Money and finance
- Tech blogging
- Travel blogging
- Food and recipe blogging
- Education news, etc.
One of the reasons blogging is so attractive is its low startup cost.
With platforms like Truehost, you can get affordable web hosting starting at KES 2,500 per year, including essential features like SSL certificates to secure your website.
To get started, you’ll need:
- Domain name: Around KES 725/year with Truehost.co.ke
- Web hosting: Starting from KES 2500/year with Truehost.co.ke
- Basic theme and plugins: Free to KES 5,000
Total startup cost: Approximately KES 10,000
Potential monthly earnings: KES 10,000 – KES 50,000+
Once your blog is live, you can focus on creating content that resonates with your readers:
- Sharing personal stories
- Giving expert advice
- Blogging on niche topics
- Writing listicles, etc.
The goal is to make your blog a trusted resource for all matters that your blog deal with.
You can earn through monetization strategies such as:
- Display ads via Google Adsense, Adzoic, Mediavine, Media.net, etc.
- Sponsored posts
- Affiliate marketing where you get paid a given commission for every qualified lead or sale that you bring in
For instance, promoting products like electronics or books through affiliate links can bring in steady income.
Also, you can create and sell digital products such as eBooks, courses, or templates.
Over time, your blog can grow into a profitable business, provided you maintain consistency and invest in marketing.
How to Start a Local Blog
- Choose your niche: Focus on a topic you are knowledgeable about and enjoy writing about. Popular niches include travel, technology, and personal finance.
- Get a domain and hosting: Use Truehost for reliable hosting services that include beginner-friendly packages and free domain registration for the Pro package and above.
- Create engaging content: Write posts that provide value to your readers. For example, “10 Tips for Budget Travel in Kenya” or “How to Save Money on Groceries.”
- Market your blog: Promote your content on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Use relevant hashtags to reach more readers.
Additional Tips for Success
Blogging requires patience and dedication. Building a following takes time, but once your audience grows, so will your revenue.
Leverage SEO techniques to make your blog searchable on Google. Collaborate with other bloggers to expand your reach and learn from their success.
Finally, invest in tools like Canva for creating eye-catching visuals that enhance your posts, and AI tools such as Chatgpt or Koala AI to help you scale content production.
2) Mushroom Farming
Mushroom farming is another cheap business to start in Kenya that’s gaining popularity due to its low space requirements and potential for high returns.
This agricultural venture can be undertaken even in urban areas, making it accessible to a wide range of entrepreneurs.
Startup costs:
- Spawn and substrate: KES 25,000
- Shelving and humidity control: KES 20,000
Total: KES 45,000
Potential monthly profit: KES 20,000 – KES 30,000
Mushroom farming is attractive because it doesn’t require large tracts of land. You can start in a small room or even a section of your house.
The key is to maintain the right growing conditions, including temperature, humidity, and light.
To begin, you’ll need to choose the type of mushrooms you want to grow.
- Button mushrooms and oyster mushrooms are popular choices in Kenya due to their relatively easy cultivation process and market demand.
Getting started
You’ll need to source quality spawn, prepare the growing substrate (usually from agricultural waste products like straw or sawdust), and set up your growing area with proper shelving and humidity control.
The market for mushrooms in Kenya is growing, with demand from restaurants, hotels, and health-conscious consumers.
As you establish your mushroom farm, consider building relationships with local eateries and markets to secure regular buyers for your produce.
This idea also has a quick turnaround time, usually 4-6 weeks, allowing several harvests annually. This can help you recover your initial investment quickly so you can start counting profits.h
Ways to pivot:
- Venturing into other mushroom varieties
- Mushroom processing
- Creating value-added products such as mushroom powder or ready-to-grow kits for home gardeners.
3) Mitumba (Second-hand Clothes) Business
The Mitumba business is a popular and cheap business to start in Kenya, thanks to the high demand for affordable, quality clothing.
This venture capitalizes on the global second-hand clothing market, offering Kenyans access to a wide variety of styles at budget-friendly prices.
Startup costs:
- Initial stock (1 bale): KES 25,000
- Display racks: KES 10,000
- Packaging and transport: KES 8,000
Total: KES 43,000
Potential monthly profit: KES 25,000 – KES 45,000
To start your mitumba business, you’ll need to source your initial stock from reputable suppliers. You can purchase secondhand clothes from wholesale markets like Gikomba in Nairobi or Kongowea in Mombasa.
Many entrepreneurs begin with one or two bales of mixed clothing items. As you gain experience, you can become more selective, focusing on high-demand categories like children’s wear, men’s shirts, or ladies’ dresses.
Location is crucial for a mitumba business. Consider setting up shop in busy markets, near colleges, or in residential areas with high foot traffic.
If you’re starting on a very tight budget, you could begin by selling from your home or through social media platforms, gradually building up to a physical store.
One of the keys to success in the mitumba business is carefully sorting and pricing your items. Take time to inspect each piece, categorizing them based on quality, brand, and current fashion trends.
Pricing strategically will help you move inventory quickly while still making a profit.
As your business grows, consider diversifying your offerings. You could branch into accessories, shoes, or even vintage items. Many successful Mitumba entrepreneurs also incorporate simple alterations or repairs to add value to their products.
Remember, the mitumba business is cyclical, with peak seasons often aligning with back-to-school periods and holidays. Plan your stock purchases and sales strategies accordingly to maximize your profits throughout the year.
4) Mobile Food Vending
A mobile food cart is a versatile and cost-effective business idea for food lovers. It involves selling snacks, fast foods, or drinks in high-traffic areas.
With a small cart and affordable food supplies, you can quickly set up and start earning.
The appeal of this business lies in its flexibility. You can sell a variety of items, including boiled eggs, smokies, samosas, or freshly prepared juice.
These snacks cater to people looking for quick, affordable meals. Also, mobile food carts are easy to relocate, allowing you to adjust your location based on demand.
Startup costs:
- Cart: KES 25,000
- Utensils and equipment: KES 12,000
- Initial stock: KES 10,000
Total: KES 47,000
Potential monthly profit: KES 30,000 – KES 50,000
Your mobile food cart is your most significant initial investment. Look for a sturdy, easy-to-clean cart that meets local health regulations. Equip it with the necessary utensils and equipment for food preparation and storage.
Location and timing are crucial in this business. Scout for busy areas like near offices, schools, or public transport hubs. Be aware of peak hours and position yourself accordingly. You may need to obtain permits or licenses from local authorities to operate in certain areas.
Food safety is paramount. Ensure you follow proper hygiene practices and food handling procedures. This not only keeps your customers safe but also builds trust and reputation, encouraging repeat business.
5) Event Planning
If you thought you needed a 300K budget to start an event planning business in Kenya, then here’s a newsflash:
You’re wrong.
The problem is, when we mention events planning, we are thinking major events such as corporate parties, weddings, etc.
We forget that it also includes:
- Birthday parties
- Kindergarteners’ graduations, etc
As you can see, these don’t require much investment upfront. You can scale it based on your client’s budget, and since they’d be paying upfront for the costs, you don’t need to spend your own money.
You can move on to larger and more complex events such as wedding planning once you have an established team and necessary resources.
In this business, building relationships with reliable vendors for catering, decorations, videographers, photographers, DJs, and venues is critical, as it allows you to negotiate better deals so as to increase your margins.
Now, your reputation is always on the line in this business. You want to deliver on your promises without fail or delays. Excuses don’t auger well here. So you want to ensure that everything is planned up to the tee, with responsible people put in charge.
6) Poultry Farming (50 chicks)
Poultry farming is a versatile and potentially lucrative option among cheap businesses to start in Kenya.
When venturing into poultry farming, don’t think 500 birds. This will be expensive to start and maintain, not to mention inexperience which can be quite costly.
Instead, start with a manageable number, e.g. 50 chicks. The average of a week’s old chick in Kenya is Kes 150.
Make sure the chicks have been vaccinated before transporting them. Most hatcheries vaccinate chicks within 3 days after being hatched, but it’s good to be sure.
Startup costs:
- Chicks: KES 10,000
- Feed: KES 20,000
- Basic structure: KES 25,000
Total: KES 45,000
Potential profit per cycle (2 months): KES 25,000 – KES 35,000
To begin your poultry farming venture, you’ll need to set up a suitable housing structure for your birds. This can be a simple, well-ventilated shed that protects the chickens from predators and harsh weather.
Ensure the structure allows for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Proper feeding is essential for the health and productivity of your flock. Invest in quality feed appropriate for the age and type of your chickens.
Eventually, you might want to mix in your own feeds to reduce the costs.
Regular health checks and vaccinations are crucial to prevent diseases that can decimate your flock. Develop a relationship with a local veterinarian who specializes in poultry for advice and emergency care.
Marketing your poultry products can be straightforward. Start by selling to neighbors, local restaurants, and small shops.
As your production increases, you can explore supplying to larger establishments or even selling directly to consumers through social media platforms.
One advantage of poultry farming is the potential for quick returns. Broilers are typically ready for market in 6-8 weeks, while layers start producing eggs at around 18-20 weeks.
This rapid turnover can help you recover your initial investment quickly and reinvest in expanding your operation.
As your poultry farming business grows, consider diversifying into related areas such as hatchery operations, feed production, or processed chicken products to increase your profit margins.
7) Freelance Writing/Content Creation
While freelance writing isn’t as profitable as it was pre-AI, you can still make a decent amount of money if you are an experienced writer.
Startup costs:
- Laptop/Computer: KES 20,000 – KES 30,000 (if you don’t already own one)
- Internet connection: KES 2,000 – KES 3,000 per month
Total initial investment: Approximately KES 25,000
Potential monthly earnings: KES 20,000 – KES 50,000+
Some of the steps to get started as a freelance writer:
- Perfect your writing samples
- Settle on a niche or niches. When starting, you may want to broaden your scope by writing in 3 -5 different niches.
- Once established, you can settle on one niche
- Focus on acquiring your first clients. Offer discounted prices to land jobs
- Try freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr
- Start cold emailing. Find prospective clients in your niche and send custom proposals.
- Try freelance writing job boards such as ProBlogger
Also, be sure to build your portfolio. Platforms like Medium or LinkedIn can be great places to publish your work and gain visibility.
To succeed in freelance writing, focus on delivering high-quality, well-researched content consistently. Meet deadlines religiously and communicate clearly with your clients. Building a reputation for reliability and quality work is key to getting repeat clients and referrals.
As your business grows, consider specializing in high-paying niches or expanding your services to include content strategy, editing, or even digital marketing services.
You might also explore creating and selling your own information products or courses based on your expertise.
8) Small-scale Soap Making
Soap making is a very easy-to-start business even with a budget of less than 10,000.
Startup costs:
- Raw materials (oils, lye, fragrances): KES 15,000
- Molds and utensils: KES 5,000
- Packaging materials: KES 5,000
- Total: KES 25,000
Potential monthly profit: KES 10,000 – KES 20,000
To start your soap-making business, you’ll need to learn the basics of soap production.
There are numerous online resources and tutorials available. Start with simple recipes and gradually experiment with different ingredients and techniques as you gain confidence.
Your initial investment will go towards purchasing essential raw materials like oils (coconut, palm, olive), lye (sodium hydroxide), and fragrances or essential oils.
You might also need basic equipment such as molds, a stick blender, safety gear, and packaging materials.
One of the advantages of soap making is that you can start small, producing batches in your kitchen. As your business grows, you can invest in more equipment and expand your production capacity.
Focus on creating unique, high-quality soaps that stand out in the market. This could be through using locally sourced ingredients, creating interesting designs, or catering to specific skin types or concerns.
Consider offering options like organic soaps, liquid soaps, or even medicinal soaps to diversify your product range.
Marketing your soaps can start with friends and family, local markets, and social media platforms. Create attractive packaging and branding to make your products more appealing.
As you build a customer base, you can approach local shops, spas, and hotels to stock your products.
Remember to comply with local regulations regarding cosmetic production and labeling. Proper testing and quality control are crucial to ensure the safety and consistency of your products.
9) Fresh Juice Business
A fresh juice business is ideal for anyone interested in health and wellness.
This business is highly profitable, especially in urban areas where people are willing to pay for nutritious, on-the-go beverages.
Starting this business requires minimal investment. A good blender, fresh fruits, and a small space are all you need to get started.
You can operate from a kiosk, a market stall, or even a mobile cart. Offering a variety of flavors, such as mango, pineapple, and mixed fruit juices, can attract more customers.
One important aspect of this business is presentation. Using clean, attractive packaging will make your products stand out. Also, sourcing fresh, high-quality fruits ensures the best taste and keeps customers coming back.
Steps to Start
- Buy essential equipment: A quality blender and juicer are key.
- Source fruits locally: Buy in bulk from markets to reduce costs.
- Choose a location: High-traffic areas like bus stops or shopping malls are ideal.
10) Mobile Phone Accessories Kiosk
With the widespread use of smartphones, there’s a constant demand for accessories like cases, screen protectors, chargers, and earphones, making this a good idea.
Startup costs:
- Initial stock: KES 30,000
- Display case/kiosk setup: KES 10,000
- Rent: KES 10,000
- Total: KES 40,000
Potential monthly profit: KES 15,000 – KES 25,000
To start your mobile phone accessories business, first identify a high-traffic location. This could be near busy shopping areas, transport hubs, or in popular markets.
Ensure you have the necessary permits to set up your kiosk in your chosen location.
Your initial stock should include a variety of accessories catering to different phone models and customer preferences.
Focus on fast-moving items like:
- Phone cases and covers
- Screen protectors
- Charging cables and power banks
- Earphones and Bluetooth speakers
- Memory cards and USB drives
When sourcing your products, look for reliable wholesalers who can provide quality items at competitive prices.
As you grow, you might consider importing directly from manufacturers to increase your profit margins.
Create an attractive display that showcases your products effectively. Good lighting and organization can make a big difference in attracting customers. Consider offering installation services for screen protectors or phone cases as an added value to your customers.
As your business grows, consider expanding your product range to include refurbished phones, basic repair services, etc.
11) Cake Baking and Decoration
Cake baking and decoration is a creative and potentially lucrative option among cheap businesses to start in Kenya.
Startup costs:
- Baking equipment (mixing bowls, cake pans, etc.): KES 15,000
- Oven (if you don’t already have one): KES 20,000
- Initial ingredients and decorating supplies: KES 10,000
Total: KES 45,000
Potential monthly profit: KES 25,000 – KES 40,000
To start your cake-baking business, you’ll need to hone your baking and decorating skills. If you’re already proficient, great!
If not, consider taking online courses or workshops to improve your techniques. You want to master both the taste and the presentation.
Begin by creating a menu of cake flavors and designs. Start with popular options like chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet, but don’t be afraid to experiment with unique flavors that could become your signature. Offer a range of sizes and styles to cater to different customer needs and budgets.
Invest in quality baking equipment and ingredients. While it might be tempting to cut costs here, using superior ingredients will result in better-tasting cakes, leading to repeat customers and referrals.
Marketing your cake business can be done effectively through social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Create a portfolio of your cake designs and share photos of your creations regularly.
Also, encourage satisfied customers to share photos and tag your business.
Consider offering specialized services like wedding cakes, children’s birthday cakes, or corporate event cakes.
These niches often command higher prices and can help establish you as an expert in specific areas.
As you grow, you might want to expand into other baked goods like cupcakes, cookies, or pastries. This can help you cater to a wider range of customers and events.