Watching Ads to Walking: Unconventional Ways Kenyans Are Making Money

What if making money didn’t always mean sending out CVs, waking up for an office job, or starting a business with capital? What if it could come from something as simple as walking, scrolling through your phone, or showing up to an event?

Across Kenya, especially among young people, unconventional income streams are quietly taking shape.

These aren’t your typical side hustles; they’re low-effort, digital-first, and often built around things people already do daily.

Also Read: 5 Innovative Ways Young People Are Using to Make Money From Mitumba Business

Going Live on TikTok

On TikTok, creators are earning money simply by going live.

During these sessions, followers can send virtual gifts (which convert into money).

Some of the popular gifts and their value in Kenyan shillings include a Rose (Ksh1), a Love Bang (Ksh27), and a Drama Queen (Ksh5,000).

Meanwhile, there are higher-value gifts on the platform. For instance, the TikTok Lion gift is valued at approximately Ksh33,000.

However, there are restrictions. You must meet certain requirements to start earning on the platform. For instance, you must have at least 1,000 followers and be over 18 years old. You must also have a clean account history and abide by community guidelines.

“In 2020, I used to go live every day doing comedy, and I made over Ksh300,000 that year through the live sessions,” Ken Njuguna (not his TikTok name), who has 100,000 followers on the platform, told Money254.co.ke.

Others earn through brand-sponsored mentions.

Also Read: How to Start an Online Shop in Kenya - Without Buying Any Stock

Getting Paid to Walk

For some Kenyans, earning money now starts with something as basic as taking a walk. Apps like Sweatcoin reward users for the number of steps they take in a day.

The concept is simple: the more you walk, the more coins you earn. These coins can then be redeemed for products, discounts, or sometimes even cash equivalents.

Some of the apps also have crypto equivalents. Once you earn a crypto token, you can transfer it to a cryptocurrency exchange platform.

For example, 19 Sweatcoins are equivalent to around Ksh4 (USD 0.033).

Watching Ads and Training AI

Given the increase in digital adoption, some people are using phones and laptops to get paid.

For instance, some platforms offer Get-Paid-To (GPT) services. This includes payments for individuals to watch ads, play mobile games, complete surveys, or carry out basic activities.

With the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there are platforms now being designed for global use, creating a need for localisation in African languages. As a result, some people are getting gigs to train AI models in African languages before they are rolled out.

Some of these platforms pay close to Ksh250 (USD 2) per hour for training AI.

Also Read: How Gikomba Trader Built Ksh5M Mitumba Business With Ksh95K Investment

Running Errands

Not all unconventional income streams are digital. Some are rooted in solving everyday problems.

A growing number of Kenyans are offering errand-running services through social media pages and small websites. Their tasks range from buying clothes in Gikomba, picking up and delivering packages, to handling day-to-day tasks for busy clients.

In a fast-paced city like Nairobi, convenience has become a commodity, and people are willing to pay for it. For the errand runner, it’s a flexible hustle. For the client, it’s time saved.

Those who run errands charge between Ksh300 and Ksh5,000, depending on the service.

Attending Events and Product Activations

Another lesser-known way people are making money is simply by attending events.

Some NGOs, political organisations, and companies host press conferences, activations, and product testing sessions.

Participants are sometimes compensated for their time, with payments going up to Ksh3,000, depending on the event.

There are also opportunities to test products before they are officially launched, giving feedback that helps companies refine their offerings.

Also Read: The Cost of Starting a Business in Kenya: All The Taxes and Fees You Pay

Pushing Products Online

Social media has also created space for a new kind of hustle line: product pushing.

This involves promoting products or services using hashtags, posts, stories, and short-form videos.

Some individuals partner with small businesses or brands to drive visibility and sales, earning commissions or flat fees in return.