What Businesses Can I Start With Kes 5,000 or Less?
Let’s keep it 100 — KSh 5,000 ain’t “capital” in the traditional sense, but in our streets, that’s a whole startup budget.
By Paul Githaiga
You won’t open a fancy shop with it. Bro/Siz, you can start small, learn the game, and grow until people give you the respect you deserve.
Here are 8 legit ideas you can start today, even if your wallet feel light. All real, tested, and perfect for young hustlers.
Have a little more cash to invest? Check out the best hustles to start in 2025.
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1. Boiled Eggs & Smokie Stand – Hustle Starter Pack
Unafanya nini?
Boil eggs, fry smokies, ongeza kachumbari. Serve hot kwa estate gate, stage, au karibu na shule. Check out the story of Peter Kuria
Unahitaji nini?
⏹️ Jiko + sufuria – KSh 1,500
⏹️ 1 tray mayai – KSh 450
⏹️ 1 pack smokies – KSh 600
⏹️ Tomato, onion, pilipili – KSh 300
⏹️ Foil + serviettes – KSh 200
⏹️ Basin or crate for setup – KSh 1,000.
Cheki the real deal: Cart ya smokies itaku-set you back about 7K extra. So, ujanja ni ku-start small with a basin or crate but make sure it all looks clean!
Start-up cost: ~KSh 4,000
Why it slaps:
Ukiuza smokie @ KSh 30 and egg @ KSh 25, unaweza tengeneza KSh 700–1,000 daily. Fast turnaround, easy to scale.
Bonus tip: Why buy the eggs if you can get them for free? Start a kuku biz on the side!
2. Mitumba Reseller – Fashion for MtaaChukua mitumba pieces from Gikosh/Toi, resell kwa estate ama online (WhatsApp, IG).
Unafanya nini?
Unahitaji nini?
⏹️ 10–15 tops/trousers – KSh 3,000
⏹️ ● Ironing + clean packaging – KSh 1,000
⏹️ Data for marketing – KSh 500
Start-up cost: ~KSh 4,500
Why it slaps:
Unanunua top at KSh 200, unaipiga picha smart, una-sell at KSh 400. Unadouble hiyo dough.
3. Chapati & Mandazi Supply – Kitchen is Capital
Unafanya nini?
Pika mandazi au chapos nyumbani, sell kwa vibanda nearby or office pals.
Unahitaji nini?
⏹️ 2kg unga – KSh 300
⏹️ Sugar, oil, yeast – KSh 600
⏹️Packaging – KSh 500
⏹️ Jiko/gas (use home one)
⏹️ Kikapu ya kupeleka order – KSh 1,000
⏹️ Start-up cost: ~KSh 2,500
Why it slaps:
Mandazi moja ya KSh 5 costs less than KSh 2 to make. Sell 100 = KSh 500, profit ~KSh 250+. Easy to start, perfect for mornings.
4. Liquid Soap Hustle – Clean Biz, Dirty Cheap
Unafanya nini?
Make and sell liquid soap kwa nyumba, salons, vibanda, etc.
Unahitaji nini?
⏹️ Raw materials (soda ash, sulphonic, color) – KSh 2,500
⏹️ Jerrycans/bottles – KSh 1,000
⏹️ Mixing containers + gloves – KSh 500
Start-up cost: ~KSh 4,000
Why it slaps:
1 litre cost ~KSh 20 to make, unauza KSh 50–100. Profit margin iko serious. Plus, everyone needs soap.
5. Fruits by the Road – Afya & Faida
Unafanya nini?
Buy fruit wholesale, cut + pack for easy selling to passersby.
Unahitaji nini?
⏹️ Watermelon, pineapples, mangoes – KSh 2,000
⏹️ Plastic cups + forks – KSh 700
⏹️ Knife + chopping board – KSh 500
⏹️ Crate/table – KSh 1,000
Start-up cost: ~KSh 4,200
Why it slaps:
Fruit salad @ KSh 50 sells FAST. Wasee wanataka healthy, cheap snacks. Juices pia ni upgrade stage 2.
6. Resell PopSockets & Phone Cables – Micro Plug
Unafanya nini?
Buy phone accessories in bulk, resell kwa watu wa mtaa ama students.
Unahitaji nini?
⏹️ 10–20 cables/cases – KSh 3,000
⏹️ Packaging – KSh 500
⏹️ Small display bag/box – KSh 500
Start-up cost: ~KSh 4,000
Why it slaps:
Buy a cable at KSh 100, sell at KSh 200+. Doable kwa street au online. Low-risk, daily income.
7. Boiled Groundnuts Hustle – Crunch & Cash
Unafanya nini?
Boil or roast peanuts, package into small packs, sell kwa street/estate.
Unahitaji nini?
⏹️ 2kg njugu – KSh 800
⏹️ Salt, water – KSh 200
⏹️ Transparent packaging – KSh 500
⏹️ Sufuria/jiko – use home one
Start-up cost: ~KSh 1,500
Why it slaps:
Package 50 bags at KSh 20 = KSh 1,000. Cost ni less than half. Add baridi soda and boom – mini kiosk.
8. Online Writing or Transcription
Unafanya nini?
Write articles, do transcription (audio to text), ama basic data entry. Hii ni hustle poa sana and inaweza kukujenga.
Unahitaji nini?
⏹️ Hii ni a hustle you can start for cheap if you already have a smartphone or laptop. But kama hauna, consider kushika moja on a lipa mdogo mdogo plan via M-KOPA or MESH + Shortlist devices on credit plan?
⏹️ Data – KSh 500
⏹️ Training (free on YouTube)
⏹️ Apply on sites like TranscribeMe, Remotasks, Upwork
Start-up cost: ~KSh 500–1,000
Why it slaps:
Transcribe 1 file = ~$5. Ukiamua, you can pull KSh 1,000–3,000 per week part-time. All you need is time + bundles.
Real Talk, Meshers:
Uko na 5K? Good. That’s enough to leave " niko tu home" life behind.
Every hustle hapa ni testable. Some are not flashy, but they work. Focus. Be consistent. Use your people to spread the word.
Don’t wait for a miracle. Start now. Build as you grow. Even KSh 5 bob profits daily can build an empire if you stay patient.
🔑 Next Steps:
✅ Join MESH
📚 Watch content on Mesh.life
💼 Apply for micro-funding or opps
💬 Share your first sale with us in the newsfeed at mesh.life or in the app
KSh 5K isn’t small. Lazima ujue tu vile ya kucheza nayo. Time ya kulalamika imeisha. Now ni kazi na cash. 💪🏾