Introduction
Remote work has revolutionized employment for Kenyans, enabling professionals to work for companies worldwide without leaving home. Whether you’re in Nairobi or Nakuru, you can now earn competitive salaries working for companies in the US, Europe, or Asia - all you need is internet, relevant skills, and determination.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated remote work adoption globally, and many companies now hire remotely permanently. For Kenyans, this means access to opportunities beyond the local job market, potential for higher earnings (international rates), flexible schedules, and no commute.
This comprehensive guide covers remote work opportunities for Kenyans, platforms to find jobs, in-demand skills, how to apply successfully, avoiding scams, managing payments, and thriving as a remote worker.
Why Remote Work?
Advantages
Access to Global Market:
- Not limited to Kenyan employers
- Compete for international jobs
- Higher earning potential (many remote jobs pay in USD/EUR/GBP)
Higher Pay:
- International remote jobs often pay more than equivalent Kenyan positions
- Examples: Developer earning $2,000-5,000/month remotely vs KES 80,000-150,000 locally
Flexibility:
- Work from home (save commute time and cost)
- Flexible hours (many remote jobs allow you to set your schedule)
- Better work-life balance
Skill Development:
- Exposure to international standards and practices
- Work with diverse teams
- Build global professional network
Career Growth:
- Access to opportunities not available locally
- Experience in cutting-edge companies/projects
Challenges
Internet Reliability:
- Kenya’s internet generally good in urban areas, but outages happen
- Essential to have backup (mobile hotspot)
Time Zone Differences:
- May need to work odd hours (e.g., US West Coast = 10-hour difference)
- Can affect sleep and social life
Self-Discipline Required:
- Working from home requires focus and time management
- Distractions (family, TV, errands)
Isolation:
- Less social interaction than office
- Need to proactively maintain professional network
Payment Challenges:
- Receiving international payments can be complex
- Currency conversion, transaction fees
Scams:
- Many fake remote job postings
- Need to be vigilant
Types of Remote Work
1. Full-Time Remote Employment
What It Is: Permanent employee of company, but work remotely
Characteristics:
- Salaried position
- Benefits (may vary by company)
- Set working hours (though often flexible)
- Long-term commitment
Examples:
- Software developer for US tech company
- Customer support representative for international e-commerce company
- Marketing manager for remote-first startup
Pay: Monthly salary (often in foreign currency)
2. Freelancing/Contract Work
What It Is: Project-based or hourly work for various clients
Characteristics:
- Self-employed
- Multiple clients
- Flexible (choose projects)
- Irregular income
- No benefits (unless self-provided)
Examples:
- Freelance writer, graphic designer, web developer
- Virtual assistant
- Consultant
Pay: Per project, hourly, or retainer
3. Remote Jobs with Kenyan Companies
What It Is: Work remotely for Kenyan employer
Characteristics:
- Kenyan salary and benefits
- Kenyan working hours (no time zone issues)
- Easier payment (M-Pesa, bank transfer)
Examples:
- Remote developer for Kenyan tech startup
- Remote customer support for Safaricom
- Remote content creator for Kenyan media company
Pay: Kenyan rates (KES)
4. Part-Time Remote Work
What It Is: Remote work alongside other commitments
Good For: Students, those with other jobs, testing remote work
Examples:
- Part-time virtual assistant
- Weekend web development projects
- Evening tutoring
In-Demand Remote Skills
Tech/IT (Highest Demand)
Software Development:
- Languages: Python, JavaScript, Java, PHP, Ruby
- Frameworks: React, Angular, Node.js, Django, Laravel
- Mobile: Android (Kotlin/Java), iOS (Swift), Flutter, React Native
Web Development:
- Front-end: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Vue
- Back-end: Node.js, PHP, Python
- Full-stack (both front and back)
Data Science/Analysis:
- Python, R
- SQL
- Data visualization (Tableau, Power BI)
- Machine learning
DevOps/Cloud:
- AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
- Docker, Kubernetes
- CI/CD pipelines
Cybersecurity:
- Penetration testing
- Security analysis
- Compliance
Quality Assurance/Testing:
- Manual testing
- Automated testing (Selenium, etc.)
Tech Support:
- Help desk
- Technical troubleshooting
Creative/Design
Graphic Design:
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
- Figma, Sketch
- Branding, logo design
UI/UX Design:
- User interface design
- User experience research
- Prototyping (Figma, Adobe XD)
Video Editing:
- Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro
- After Effects (motion graphics)
3D Modeling/Animation:
- Blender, Maya, 3ds Max
Photography:
- Stock photography
- Photo editing
Writing/Content
Content Writing:
- Blog posts, articles
- SEO writing
- Copywriting (sales, marketing)
Technical Writing:
- Documentation
- User guides
- API documentation
Transcription:
- Audio/video to text
Translation:
- English-Swahili
- Other languages
Editing/Proofreading
Marketing/Business
Digital Marketing:
- Social media management
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Google Ads, Facebook Ads
- Email marketing
Social Media Management:
- Content creation
- Community management
- Analytics
Sales:
- Business development
- Lead generation
- Account management
Project Management:
- Agile/Scrum
- Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello
Customer Support
Customer Service:
- Email support
- Chat support
- Phone support (may require good English accent)
Virtual Assistant:
- Administrative tasks
- Scheduling, email management
- Research
Education/Training
Online Tutoring:
- English (high demand globally)
- Math, science
- Programming
- Test prep (SAT, IELTS)
Course Creation:
- Creating online courses
Top Platforms for Finding Remote Jobs
Global Freelancing Platforms
Upwork
Website: www.upwork.com
What It Is: Largest freelancing platform globally
Types of Work:
- Software development, design, writing, marketing, admin support, accounting, etc.
- Project-based or hourly
How It Works:
- Create profile showcasing skills, experience, portfolio
- Browse job posts
- Submit proposals (pitches)
- If hired, work and get paid through platform
- Build reviews/ratings
Payment: Platform takes 10-20% fee; you receive rest via PayPal, bank transfer, or other methods
Competition: High (many workers globally)
Tips for Success:
- Strong profile with professional photo
- Detailed portfolio
- Competitive pricing initially (build reviews)
- Personalized proposals (not generic)
Good For: Freelancers in tech, design, writing, marketing
Fiverr
Website: www.fiverr.com
What It Is: Gig-based platform (you offer services, clients come to you)
How It Works:
- Create “gigs” (service offerings) with fixed prices
- Clients find and buy your gigs
- Deliver work
- Get paid
Pricing: Start at $5 (hence “Fiverr”) but can charge more
Platform Fee: 20%
Good For: Designers, writers, voice-over artists, video editors, programmers (for small projects)
Tips: Competitive; need good gigs, descriptions, portfolio to stand out
Freelancer.com
Website: www.freelancer.com
Similar to Upwork: Bid on projects, build profile
Good For: Various skills (tech, writing, design, data entry)
Toptal
Website: www.toptal.com
What It Is: Premium platform for top 3% of freelancers
Screening: Rigorous vetting process
Pay: High rates (top-tier clients)
Good For: Experienced developers, designers, finance experts
Challenge: Hard to get accepted (but worth it if you do)
Remote Job Boards
We Work Remotely
Website: www.weworkremotely.com
What It Is: Remote job board (not freelancing - full-time/part-time jobs)
Categories: Programming, design, marketing, customer support, etc.
Free to browse and apply
Remote.co
Website: www.remote.co
Job listings + resources for remote work
AngelList (Wellfound)
Website: www.wellfound.com (formerly angel.co)
Focus: Startup jobs (many remote)
Good For: Developers, marketers, product managers
FlexJobs
Website: www.flexjobs.com
Curated remote/flexible jobs (subscription required)
Benefit: Vetted jobs (less scams)
Remote OK
Website: www.remoteok.com
Tech-focused remote jobs
Kenyan/African Platforms
Ajira Digital Program
Website: www.ajiradigital.go.ke
What It Is: Government program connecting young Kenyans to digital jobs
Offers: Training + access to freelancing opportunities
Free
Kuhustle
Website: www.kuhustle.com
Local platform for gigs and remote work
Brighter Monday
Website: www.brightermonday.co.ke
Filter for remote jobs (some Kenyan companies posting remote roles)
Specialized Platforms
GitHub Jobs (for developers)
Website: GitHub (jobs section)
Remote dev jobs
Dribbble (for designers)
Website: www.dribbble.com
Showcase portfolio, apply to design jobs
ProBlogger Job Board (for writers)
Website: www.problogger.com/jobs
Writing gigs
Rev.com (for transcription)
Website: www.rev.com
Transcription and captioning work
Pay: Per minute of audio/video
TranscribeMe
Website: www.transcribeme.com
Similar to Rev
Appen
Website: www.appen.com
Data annotation, AI training
Good For: Anyone (low skill barrier)**
Lionbridge
Website: www.lionbridge.com
Similar to Appen - AI training data
Direct Company Applications
Remote-First Companies (hire globally):
- GitLab (fully remote)
- Automattic (WordPress.com - fully remote)
- Zapier
- Buffer
- InVision
- Doist (Todoist)
- Many more (search “remote-first companies”)
How to Find: Google “[company name] careers” + check if they hire in Kenya
How to Get Hired
1. Build Skills
Identify In-Demand Skill: See list above
Learn:
- Online courses: Coursera, Udemy, freeCodeCamp, YouTube
- Practice: Build projects, portfolio
- Certifications: AWS, Google, Meta certifications
Time Investment: 3-6 months of focused learning for most skills
2. Create Strong Online Presence
Portfolio:
- Website showcasing your work
- GitHub (for developers)
- Behance/Dribbble (for designers)
- Medium/personal blog (for writers)
LinkedIn:
- Complete profile
- Professional photo
- Detailed experience
- Skills endorsed
- Recommendations
Platform Profiles (Upwork, Fiverr, etc.):
- Professional photo
- Compelling bio
- Portfolio samples
- Competitive pricing (initially)
3. Apply Strategically
Quality Over Quantity:
- Don’t spam generic applications
- Customize each proposal/application
- Show you understand client’s needs
Proposal Structure:
- Greeting: Personalized (use client’s name if available)
- Understanding: Show you read and understand project
- Your Solution: How you’ll solve their problem
- Your Qualifications: Relevant experience, skills
- Call to Action: Invite to discuss further
Example Proposal (Upwork): “Hi [Client Name],
I read your project description for [project name] and understand you need [specific requirement]. I’ve completed similar projects, including [example 1] and [example 2], which you can see in my portfolio [link].
I would approach this by [brief overview of approach], ensuring [key benefit client wants]. I’m confident I can deliver [project goal] within your timeline.
I’d love to discuss this further. When are you available for a quick chat?
Best regards, [Your Name]“
4. Start Small, Build Reviews
First Jobs May Be Low-Paying:
- Accept lower rates initially to build profile
- Focus on getting 5-star reviews
- Once you have 10+ positive reviews, raise rates
5. Network
Join Communities:
- Remote work communities (Reddit, Facebook groups, Slack groups)
- Kenya remote workers groups
- Industry-specific communities
Benefits:
- Job leads
- Advice
- Support
6. Be Persistent
Reality: Expect many rejections initially (normal!)
Keep Applying: Success rate often 1-5% (need to apply to many jobs)
Improve: Learn from rejections; refine profile and proposals
Avoiding Scams
Common Scams
- Upfront Payment Requests: “Pay registration fee, training fee, etc.”
- Too Good to Be True: “Earn $5,000/month with no experience”
- Vague Job Descriptions: No clear duties or requirements
- Personal Information Requests: Ask for ID, bank details before hiring
- Check Cashing: Ask you to receive money and forward it
- Fake Companies: Impersonate real companies
Red Flags
- Request payment from you
- Offer seems unrealistic
- Poor grammar in job posting
- No company information or website
- Communication only via WhatsApp/Telegram (legitimate companies use email/official platforms)
- Pressure to act quickly
How to Stay Safe
- Research Company: Google company name + “scam” or “reviews”
- Use Reputable Platforms: Upwork, Fiverr protect against scams (though not 100%)
- Never Pay Upfront: Legitimate jobs don’t require payment
- Trust Your Gut: If feels off, it probably is
- Verify: For direct company applications, call company or check LinkedIn
Getting Paid
Payment Methods
PayPal
Pros: Widely used, integrated with many platforms (Upwork, Fiverr)
Cons: Can’t withdraw directly to Kenyan bank (need workarounds)
Workarounds:
- Link to Equity Bank (supports PayPal)
- Use PayPal Mastercard (withdraw at ATM)
- Transfer to Wise, then to M-Pesa
Fees: Varies (3-5% typical)
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Website: www.wise.com
What It Is: International money transfer service
Pros: Lower fees than banks, good exchange rates, can receive payments
How It Works:
- Get Wise account
- Receive USD/EUR/GBP from clients
- Convert to KES
- Send to M-Pesa or Kenyan bank
Fees: Low (1-2%)
Many Kenyans Use: Popular option
Payoneer
Website: www.payoneer.com
Similar to Wise: Receive international payments, withdraw to Kenyan bank
Pros: Integrated with some platforms
Fees: Varies
Direct Bank Transfer (Wire Transfer)
For Large Payments: Clients send directly to your Kenyan bank account (USD account)
Pros: Direct
Cons: High fees (banks charge KES 1,000-3,000 per transfer), slow
Cryptocurrency
Some Remote Workers Use: Bitcoin, USDT
Pros: Fast, low fees, decentralized
Cons: Volatility, requires understanding, not all clients pay in crypto
Exchanges in Kenya: Binance, Paxful, LocalBitcoins
M-Pesa (for Kenyan Clients)
Easiest for Kenyan Remote Jobs
Tax Considerations
Income Tax:
- Remote income is taxable in Kenya
- Register for iTax (KRA)
- Declare income and pay taxes
Consult Tax Advisor: For significant remote income, advisable
Succeeding as Remote Worker
Set Up Home Office
Dedicated Workspace:
- Separate area for work (not bed or couch)
- Desk and comfortable chair
- Good lighting
Equipment:
- Reliable laptop/computer
- Backup power (charged laptop, inverter, or generator)
- Reliable internet + backup (mobile hotspot)
- Headset (for calls)
- Webcam (for video calls)
Manage Time Effectively
Set Schedule: Even if flexible, establish routine
Time Tracking (for hourly work):
- Tools: Toggl, Clockify
- Helps bill accurately
Avoid Distractions:
- Communicate to family (you’re working, not available)
- Turn off TV, social media during work hours
Breaks: Take regular breaks (avoid burnout)
Communicate Well
Over-Communicate: Remote work requires clear communication
Tools:
- Slack, Microsoft Teams (chat)
- Zoom, Google Meet (video calls)
Response Time: Be responsive (even if time zone difference)
Updates: Keep clients/employers updated on progress
Deliver Quality Work
Meet Deadlines: Reliability crucial in remote work
Quality Over Speed: Don’t rush and compromise quality
Ask Questions: If unclear, ask (better than guessing wrong)
Continue Learning
Stay Updated: Tech/skills evolve; keep learning
Take Courses: Improve skills, add new ones
Certifications: Boost credibility
Network
Join Communities: Remote worker groups, industry groups
LinkedIn: Stay active, connect with people
Attend Virtual Events: Webinars, conferences
Manage Finances
Save: Remote income can be irregular (freelancing); save for lean months
Budget: Track income and expenses
Taxes: Set aside money for taxes
Diversify: Don’t rely on one client (if freelancing)
Resources for Kenyan Remote Workers
Communities
Facebook Groups:
- “Remote Jobs Kenya”
- “Freelancers Kenya”
- “Kenya Digital Jobs”
Telegram/WhatsApp Groups: Search for Kenya remote work groups
Training
Ajira Digital Program: Free digital skills training - www.ajiradigital.go.ke
Moringa School: Coding bootcamp - www.moringaschool.com
Coursera: Online courses (some free) - www.coursera.org
freeCodeCamp: Free coding courses - www.freecodecamp.org
Blogs/Websites
Remote.co: Resources for remote work
Nomad List: Digital nomad resources (includes Kenya)
Support
SOKO Directory: Kenya’s creative and tech talent directory
Success Stories
Many Kenyans now earn $1,000-5,000/month remotely in fields like:
- Software development
- Graphic design
- Content writing
- Virtual assistance
- Digital marketing
Your Story Can Be Next: With skills, persistence, and strategy, remote work is achievable.
Conclusion
Remote work offers Kenyans unprecedented access to global job markets, higher earning potential, flexibility, and career growth opportunities. Whether you’re a developer, designer, writer, marketer, or customer support specialist, there are remote opportunities available.
Success requires: in-demand skills (learn through online courses), strong online presence (portfolio, LinkedIn, platform profiles), strategic applications (quality over quantity), persistence (expect rejections initially), vigilance (avoid scams), and effective remote work practices (communication, time management, quality delivery).
Start by identifying your skill or one you want to learn, invest 3-6 months building that skill and portfolio, create profiles on platforms like Upwork or job boards like We Work Remotely, apply strategically with personalized proposals, build reviews, and continuously improve.
Set up payment methods (Wise, PayPal/Equity, Payoneer), manage your home office setup, and stay disciplined. Join Kenyan remote worker communities for support and job leads.
Remote work isn’t get-rich-quick - it requires effort, skill development, and persistence. But for those willing to put in the work, it’s a viable path to flexible, well-paying employment from anywhere in Kenya. Your global career awaits!