Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Start a Home-Based Business in Kenya?
- 20 Low Capital Business Ideas
- Online Freelancing
- Baking & Cake Business
- Mobile Money Sub-Agent
- Homemade Juice & Smoothies
- Mitumba Clothes Resale
- Soap & Detergent Making
- Printing & Photocopy Services
- Poultry Farming
- Online Tutoring / Coaching
- Snacks Business
- Cosmetic Resale
- Urban Farming
- Hairdressing & Barber Services
- Candle & Craft Making
- Daycare Services
- Content Creation (YouTube/TikTok/Blogging)
- Selling Groceries (Home Kiosk)
- Tailoring / Dressmaking
- Homemade Skin & Hair Products
- Digital Services Business
- Tips for Success in Home-Based Businesses
Starting a business in Kenya does not always require millions of shillings or renting expensive premises. With the rise of digital platforms, neighborhood markets, and social commerce, Kenyans can now earn a living directly from their homes with very little startup capital. This article explores 20 low capital businesses you can start from home in Kenya, most requiring less than KSh 20,000 to kick off.
Why Start a Home-Based Business in Kenya?
- Low Overheads – Running from home cuts rent, utilities, and transport costs.
- Flexibility – You can balance business with family life.
- Technology Advantage – Social media, mobile money, and e-commerce platforms make marketing easy.
- Scalability – Small home ventures can grow into registered SMEs.
- Accessibility – Many customers prefer neighborhood-based sellers due to trust and convenience.
20 Low Capital Business Ideas
1. Online Freelancing
Freelancing has opened opportunities for Kenyans to work with global clients without ever leaving home. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer allow you to sell services such as article writing, graphic design, transcription, video editing, virtual assistance, and data entry.
Capital Needed: A laptop and stable internet bundle.
Skills Required: Writing, design, or communication skills (many free courses online).
Earning Potential: Skilled freelancers can earn anywhere between KSh 30,000–150,000 per month.
2. Baking & Cake Business
If you have baking skills and access to a small oven, you can build a thriving business right from your kitchen. Demand for birthday cakes, wedding cakes, pastries, chapati, mandazi, and doughnuts is always high.
Capital Needed: Less than KSh 10,000 if you already own utensils.
Customers: Neighbors, schools, events, and social media referrals.
Tip: Invest in appealing packaging and market via WhatsApp Status and Facebook Marketplace.
3. Mobile Money Sub-Agent
Mobile money services like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and T-Kash remain lifelines in Kenya’s financial system. With as little as KSh 5,000–20,000 float, you can become a sub-agent under a licensed dealer and operate from your home veranda.
Capital Needed: KSh 5,000–20,000 float.
Earning Potential: Commissions per deposit/withdrawal, plus extra if you sell airtime.
Bonus Tip: Combine this with another small kiosk business to maximize profits.
4. Homemade Juice & Smoothies
As health consciousness grows, people are shifting to fresh juices and smoothies instead of sugary sodas. You can make nutritious blends such as beetroot-carrot juice, pineapple-mango smoothies, or ginger detox shots.
Capital Needed: KSh 5,000 for blender, fruits, and packaging.
Marketing: Supply to offices, neighbors, or gyms.
Tip: Emphasize hygiene and freshness to win customer trust.
5. Mitumba Clothes Resale
Second-hand clothes (mitumba) are affordable and popular. With just KSh 2,000–5,000, you can buy a small bale or select pieces, wash, iron, and resell. Start with baby clothes, jeans, or jackets, as they have high turnover.
Capital Needed: KSh 2,000–5,000.
Marketing: WhatsApp groups, estate markets, Instagram.
Profit Margin: 50–100% per item.
6. Soap & Detergent Making
Demand for cleaning products never drops. With basic training (YouTube or local workshops), you can make liquid soap, bar soap, fabric softener, or disinfectant at home.
Capital Needed: KSh 3,000 for chemicals and containers.
Customers: Neighbors, schools, car washes, salons.
Scalability: Can grow into a formal cleaning products brand.
7. Printing & Photocopy Services
Even with smartphones, people still need printing, photocopying, scanning, and typing services. Buying a second-hand printer and laminator can allow you to set up a mini-cyber in your living room.
Capital Needed: KSh 10,000–15,000.
Market: Students, jobseekers, and small businesses.
Tip: Offer extra services like passport photo printing.
8. Poultry Farming (Backyard)
You don’t need an acre to start. A small flock of kienyeji chickens, ducks, or quails can be kept in your compound. You can sell eggs, chicks, and meat locally.
Capital Needed: KSh 3,000–10,000 for chicks and feed.
Earning Potential: Eggs and chicks sell quickly.
Tip: Start small, learn the basics, then scale up.
9. Online Tutoring / Coaching
If you are skilled in a subject—be it mathematics, English, coding, or business studies—you can tutor students online using Zoom, WhatsApp, or Google Meet.
Capital Needed: Internet + laptop/phone.
Customers: Parents, students, or adults seeking professional development.
Extra: Create recorded lessons for passive income.
10. Snacks Business
Kenyans love snacks like smokies, boiled eggs, roasted maize, groundnuts, and popcorn. You can prepare and sell them from your gate or doorstep.
Capital Needed: KSh 2,000–5,000.
Market: School kids, boda boda riders, office workers.
Profitability: Smokies and eggs often yield KSh 500–1,000 profit daily.
11. Cosmetic Resale
Beauty products are evergreen. You can buy wholesale lip gloss, perfumes, wigs, and lotions from Nairobi’s Dubois Road or online shops, then resell in your estate or on Instagram.
Capital Needed: KSh 5,000–10,000.
Marketing: Showcase products on WhatsApp Status and TikTok.
Scalability: Can grow into a full beauty shop.
12. Urban Farming
Using sacks, containers, and vertical gardens, you can grow spinach, sukuma wiki, onions, and coriander at home. Urban dwellers prefer fresh, affordable greens from neighbors.
Capital Needed: Less than KSh 2,000.
Market: Direct neighbors, mama mbogas, small kiosks.
Tip: Use organic farming methods for a premium price.
13. Hairdressing & Barber Services
If you are skilled in braiding, weaving, relaxing, or barbering, you can set up a small home salon. Many people prefer affordable services from trusted neighbors.
Capital Needed: KSh 5,000–15,000 for blow dryer, clippers, and combs.
Market: Family, neighbors, and walk-ins.
Scalability: Can evolve into a full salon/barbershop.
14. Candle & Craft Making
Handmade crafts like decorative candles, beaded jewelry, mats, and wall art can be made at home and sold online. Many Kenyans buy these as gifts or for decoration.
Capital Needed: KSh 2,000–5,000.
Market: Social media, Jumia, or craft fairs.
Tip: Good packaging boosts sales.
15. Daycare Services
Many working parents need safe spaces for their children. If you love kids, convert a room into a small daycare with mats, toys, and a play area.
Capital Needed: KSh 5,000–15,000.
Market: Young working-class families.
Legal Note: Some counties require registration.
16. Content Creation (YouTube, TikTok, Blogging)
With just a smartphone, you can create videos, tutorials, vlogs, or comedy skits and monetize via ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links.
Capital Needed: Smartphone + internet.
Earning Potential: Once monetized, some creators make over KSh 50,000 monthly.
Tip: Focus on trending or evergreen topics.
17. Selling Groceries (Home Kiosk)
Instead of customers walking to shops, bring the shop closer. Stock basics like vegetables, fruits, eggs, flour, milk, and bread. Deliver to neighbors through phone orders.
Capital Needed: KSh 5,000–10,000.
Tip: Combine with an M-Pesa sub-agent kiosk.
18. Tailoring / Dressmaking
With a sewing machine, you can repair clothes or make custom uniforms, dresses, curtains, and pillow covers.
Capital Needed: KSh 7,000–12,000 for a used machine.
Market: Neighbors, schools, churches.
Scalability: Can expand to a boutique.
19. Homemade Skin & Hair Products
Natural products like coconut oil, shea butter, and herbal soaps are increasingly popular. You can learn recipes online and package them for sale.
Capital Needed: KSh 2,000–5,000.
Marketing: Instagram, Facebook, Jumia.
Tip: Emphasize organic, chemical-free branding.
20. Digital Services Business
From your computer, you can offer CV writing, typing, resume design, social media management, or e-book sales.
Capital Needed: Laptop/phone + internet.
Market: Jobseekers, small businesses, students.
Profit Potential: Highly scalable depending on niche.
Tips for Success in Home-Based Businesses
- Start Small, Scale Gradually – Don’t overspend at the beginning.
- Market Smartly – Use WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram to reach customers.
- Keep Records – Track expenses and profits.
- Customer Service Matters – Be consistent and trustworthy.
- Leverage M-Pesa – Easy payments encourage repeat business.
