How to Earn Money Online in Kenya via M-Pesa
The internet is filled with “make money online” advice, but most of it is written by people who’ve never withdrawn a coin. In Kenya, we want practical solutions. You do the work — and you get paid via M-Pesa.
Good news? It’s possible. I’ve done it. I teach others how to do it. And in this guide, I’ll show you step by step how to earn money online in Kenya and cash out through M-Pesa.
1. Join Platforms That Support M-Pesa Payments
Most international freelancing platforms like Upwork or Fiverr don’t pay directly to M-Pesa. But there are legit work platforms that do — or that allow easy transfer to your M-Pesa via third-party services like PayPal, Payoneer, or IntaSend.
If you need a walkthrough on setting this up, check out this post: How to Start Freelancing in Kenya
2. Sell a Skill or Digital Service on WhatsApp or Instagram
You don’t have to be on Fiverr to get paid online. You just need a skill that someone is willing to pay for. Design logos, create CVs, edit videos, manage social media pages, write content, build websites — all of these are in demand locally.
Post what you offer. Create a price list. Share your portfolio. Ask satisfied clients for referrals. Most of my students close their first clients through WhatsApp groups, church networks, or campus referrals.
Learn the skills that sell:
3. Create and Sell Digital Products
If you don’t want to offer a service, create a product that can be sold repeatedly — like an eBook, checklist, editable template, or recorded class. Price it affordably (e.g., KES 300–800), market it on your social media, and collect payment via M-Pesa.
You can sell through tools like:
- Linktree + IntaSend Checkout
- Selar (supports M-Pesa)
- Shopify Lite or Payhip (with PayPal + M-Pesa withdrawal)
Want to build your first info product? Start here: How to Make Money from Recorded Courses in Kenya
4. Affiliate Marketing (Yes, It Works in Kenya)
You promote someone else’s product or service, and earn a commission for each sale. Some platforms like Jumia Kenya, HostPinnacle, or international sites like Systeme.io offer affiliate programs that pay — and you can cash out via M-Pesa using PayPal or integrations like IntaSend.
Content creators, bloggers, and digital marketers use this to earn passive income.
Need content to promote offers? Learn to write persuasive posts in the Digital Marketing Masterclass
5. Get Paid from Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube
If you create consistent content on platforms like Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts, or TikTok, you can qualify for monetization. While direct payouts may go to a virtual account, tools like Payoneer or Wise allow you to transfer that money into your Kenyan bank — and then to M-Pesa.
If you’re not yet monetized, use your audience to sell your skills, services, or products — and ask to be paid via M-Pesa.
See how I grew a monetized audience: How I Got to 238K Facebook Followers and 15M Monthly Impressions
6. Offer Online Coaching, Classes, or Consultations
If you know how to do something valuable — be it cooking, business registration, writing CVs, parenting tips, or digital marketing — you can teach others.
Use Google Meet or Zoom for delivery. Use IntaSend or your personal M-Pesa number for payments. Start with one-on-one sessions, then scale to group coaching or digital courses.
Explore how I structure online training here:
Bonus: Use IntaSend as Your Payment Engine
One of the most beginner-friendly tools I recommend is IntaSend. It allows you to create payment links, invoices, and checkout pages — and lets clients from anywhere pay you using cards, PayPal, or M-Pesa.
Perfect for freelancers, digital product sellers, and coaches.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to beg for jobs or chase after “online hustle” groups filled with scammers. Learn a skill. Pick a tool. Package your offer. Tell people what you do. Ask for the sale. Get paid via M-Pesa.
It works — if you do the work.
Looking for mentorship, tools, and strategies that are already working in Kenya? Browse my full course library at courses.elvisw.online
