Quick Answer Box
Can you really start a business with 10,000 shillings in Kenya?
Yes. You can start several businesses with 10k in Kenya including mitumba clothes resale, chapati/mandazi selling, phone accessories vending, car washing, and freelance services. Most profitable options are food businesses and resale, which can return 30–50% profit per cycle. Expect to reinvest profits for 2–3 months before taking home income.
Introduction
If you have 10,000 shillings and you’re looking for a business to start with 10k in Kenya, you’re not alone. Thousands of Kenyans start with this exact amount every month, and many succeed while others lose everything within weeks.
The truth is that 10k is enough to start a real business, but only if you pick the right one and avoid common mistakes that wipe out small capital fast.
In this guide, you’ll see 11 actual businesses you can start with 10,000 shillings or less, how much each one costs to set up, realistic profits you can expect, and honest warnings about what can go wrong.
This is not motivational content. This is a practical breakdown for anyone starting with limited money.
Why 10k Businesses Fail in Kenya (The Real Reasons)
Before we look at what to start, let’s address why most small capital businesses fail:
Wrong location. You set up in an area with no customers or too much competition.
No market research. You assume people will buy just because the product is cheap.
Spending on the wrong things. You buy expensive packaging, branding, or equipment before testing demand.
Undercapital. 10k is your starting capital, but you also need money for transport, airtime, and emergencies. If you spend all 10k on stock, you’re stuck.
Impatience. You expect profits in week one and give up by week three.
Copying without thinking. Someone made money selling eggs, so you do the same without checking if your estate already has five egg sellers.
Now let’s look at businesses that actually work with 10k if done correctly.
11 Best Businesses to Start with 10k in Kenya
1. Mitumba Clothes (Secondhand Clothes)
What it is: You buy bales or selected pieces of secondhand clothes and resell them in estates, markets, or online.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Mitumba stock (selected pieces): 5,000–7,000
- Hanger/display setup: 1,000
- Transport and miscellaneous: 1,000–2,000
- Total: 8,000–10,000
Where to buy stock: Gikomba, Toi Market (Nairobi), or Muthurwa. Go early morning (5–7 AM) for best prices.
Profit potential: Buy item at 50 KES, sell at 100–150 KES. Expect 40–60% markup. You can make 2,000–4,000 profit per week if sales are consistent.
Best locations: Residential estates, bus stops, outside colleges, weekend street markets.
Challenges:
- Stock can take weeks to finish
- Styles may not match customer taste
- Theft if you display outdoors
- Competition is very high
Beginner mistake: Buying a full bale without knowing what’s inside. Start with selected items you can inspect.
2. Chapati and Mandazi Business
What it is: Make and sell chapatis or mandazis in the morning or evening in high-traffic areas.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Flour (2 kg): 300
- Cooking oil: 400
- Sugar, salt, baking powder: 200
- Charcoal/gas: 500
- Packaging (serviettes): 200
- Table/display setup (if needed): 1,000
- Total: 2,600–3,500
You’ll have 6,500+ left for transport, emergency stock, or saving.
Profit potential: 1 chapati costs 8–12 KES to make, sells at 20 KES. 1 mandazi costs 3–5 KES, sells at 10 KES.
Selling 100 chapatis daily = 1,200 profit. Selling 150 mandazis daily = 900 profit.
Best locations: Bus stages, construction sites, outside schools/colleges, industrial areas during lunch break.
Challenges:
- You wake up very early (4–5 AM)
- Weather affects sales (rain reduces customers)
- Health inspectors may harass you for licenses
Licenses needed: Technically you need a food handler’s certificate (around 2,000 KES) and a single business permit (3,000–5,000 KES depending on county). Many start without and get permits later.
Tip to grow: Offer tea or uji alongside. Add sausages or eggs to chapatis for premium pricing.
3. Phone Accessories Vending
What it is: Selling phone chargers, earphones, phone cases, screen protectors, and cables from a small stall or table.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Stock (chargers, earphones, cases): 6,000–8,000
- Display table or mat: 1,000
- Packaging bags: 200
- Total: 7,200–9,000
Where to buy stock: Luthuli Avenue (Nairobi), Mfangano Street, or wholesalers in your town.
Profit potential: Charger: Buy at 100, sell at 200. Earphones: Buy at 80, sell at 150–200. Cases: Buy at 50, sell at 100–150.
Daily sales of 10–15 items = 800–1,500 profit per day.
Best locations: Near phone repair shops, bus stages, colleges, town centers.
Challenges:
- Fake products damage your reputation
- Items can be stolen easily
- County askaris (inspectors) may chase you if you don’t have a permit
Beginner mistake: Buying cheap, low-quality stock that breaks immediately. Customers will never return.
4. Car Washing (Mobile or Fixed Spot)
What it is: Wash cars at customers’ homes, offices, or a fixed location like a petrol station or parking lot.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Buckets (2): 400
- Sponges and cloths: 300
- Car shampoo/soap: 500
- Tire cleaner and polish: 800
- Vacuum cleaner (optional, can rent): 0–3,000
- Total: 2,000–5,000
You can start mobile with just 2,000 and reinvest into a vacuum later.
Profit potential: Charge 300–500 per car (exterior), 500–800 (full interior + exterior). Washing 5 cars daily = 1,500–2,500 profit.
Best locations: Residential estates (go door-to-door), offices, apartments, or near parking lots.
Challenges:
- Physically demanding
- Water access can be a problem
- Some estates don’t allow mobile car washers
Tip to grow: Offer weekly or monthly packages. Partner with matatu owners for regular contracts.
5. Eggs Resale Business
What it is: Buy trays of eggs from farmers or wholesalers and resell in estates door-to-door or at a stall.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- 3 trays (90 eggs) at wholesale: 900–1,050 (300–350 per tray)
- Transport: 200
- Packaging (egg cartons or trays): 150
- Total: 1,250–1,500 per cycle
With 10k, you can do multiple cycles per week.
Profit potential: Buy tray at 330, sell at 400–450. Profit per tray: 70–120 KES.
Selling 5 trays per week = 350–600 profit weekly. Scale up as you reinvest.
Best locations: Residential estates, offer delivery to households.
Challenges:
- Eggs break during transport (expect 5–10% loss)
- Customers may not have change
- Spoilage if you don’t sell fast
Beginner mistake: Buying too many trays at once. Start with 2–3 until you know your market.
6. Smokies and Sausages Business
What it is: Deep fry or boil smokies and sausages, serve with kachumbari in busy locations.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Smokies/sausages (3–4 packets): 2,000–3,000
- Cooking oil: 500
- Tomatoes, onions, cabbages: 500
- Charcoal/gas: 500
- Serving materials (toothpicks, napkins): 300
- Jiko or gas burner: 1,500 (if you don’t have)
- Total: 5,300–6,300
Profit potential: 1 smokie costs 15–20 KES, sell at 50 KES. Selling 100 smokies = 3,000–3,500 profit daily.
Best locations: Town centers, bus stages, outside clubs at night, construction sites.
Challenges:
- Evening/night business (may not suit everyone)
- County health inspectors
- Oil and gas costs add up
Tip: Offer “combo” deals (2 smokies + sausage for 100 KES). Customers love value packs.
7. Freelance Services (Writing, Graphics, Social Media)
What it is: Offer writing, graphic design, social media management, or data entry services online.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Internet bundles: 500–1,000/month
- Laptop/phone (if you already have): 0
- Upwork/Fiverr registration: Free
- Portfolio setup (Canva, Google Docs): Free
- Total: 500–1,000 to start
Profit potential: Beginners earn 500–2,000 per small task. As you gain reviews, you can charge 5,000–20,000 per project.
Best for: Anyone with a laptop or smartphone, internet, and basic skills in writing, design, or admin tasks.
Challenges:
- Takes 1–3 months to land first clients
- Payment delays (some platforms hold funds for 14 days)
- Competition from experienced freelancers
Platforms to use: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, or local Facebook groups.
Beginner mistake: Waiting for clients to find you. You must apply to jobs daily (10–20 applications).
8. Soup and Tea Business (Morning/Evening)
What it is: Sell tea, porridge, or soup in the morning or evening to workers, students, or bodaboda riders.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Tea leaves, milk, sugar: 1,500
- Cups and thermos flasks: 1,000
- Charcoal/gas: 500
- Setup (table, seats if needed): 1,500
- Total: 4,500–5,000
Profit potential: 1 cup costs 10–15 KES to make, sell at 20–30 KES. Selling 100 cups daily = 1,000–1,500 profit.
Best locations: Bus stops, construction sites, industrial areas, markets.
Challenges:
- Early morning commitment (5–8 AM)
- Rainy days reduce sales
- Customers may ask for credit
Tip: Add mandazi, boiled eggs, or samosas to increase revenue per customer.
9. Juice and Fruit Salad Business
What it is: Prepare fresh juice or fruit salads and sell in busy areas or offices.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Fruits (watermelon, pineapple, oranges): 2,000–3,000
- Blender (if you don’t have): 2,500
- Cups, straws, napkins: 500
- Ice and cooler box: 1,000
- Total: 6,000–7,000
Profit potential: Juice cup costs 30 KES to make, sell at 80–100 KES. Fruit salad costs 40 KES, sell at 100–150 KES.
Selling 30–50 units daily = 1,500–3,000 profit.
Best locations: Town CBD, matatu stages, near gyms, offices during lunch.
Challenges:
- Fruits spoil fast if not sold
- Ice costs add up
- Health regulations
Tip: Offer delivery to offices. Pre-sell in the morning, deliver at lunch.
10. Airtime and M-Pesa Agent (Small Scale)
What it is: Sell airtime scratch cards or become an unofficial M-Pesa agent by buying and selling float.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Airtime stock (multiple networks): 5,000–7,000
- M-Pesa float: 3,000–5,000
- Display stand/table: 500
- Total: 8,500–10,000
Profit potential: Airtime: 5–10% commission per sale. M-Pesa transactions: 10–20 KES per transaction.
Daily profit: 300–800 KES depending on traffic.
Best locations: Residential estates, markets, near bus stops.
Challenges:
- M-Pesa float gets stuck if customers withdraw
- Fake notes from customers
- Requires full-time attention
Note: Becoming an official Safaricom agent requires 50,000+ capital and paperwork. With 10k, you start unofficially by buying float from agents.
11. Stationery and Printing Services (Targeting Students)
What it is: Sell pens, books, printing, photocopying, and lamination services near schools or colleges.
Capital breakdown (KES):
- Stationery stock (pens, books, folders): 4,000–5,000
- Printing/photocopy (partner with nearby shop): 0
- Display stand: 1,000
- Total: 5,000–6,000
If you have a printer, initial costs are higher, but you keep all profits.
Profit potential: Pens: Buy at 5 KES, sell at 10–15 KES. Printing: Charge 5–10 KES per page, pay shop owner 3 KES.
Daily profit: 500–1,500 KES during school term.
Best locations: Near primary/secondary schools, colleges, universities.
Challenges:
- Low sales during holidays
- Shops nearby may undercut prices
- Students ask for credit
Tip: Offer package deals (pen + book + ruler = 100 KES). Students love convenience.
How to Choose the Best Business for You
Not every business works for everyone. Here’s how to decide:
Do you have time in the morning? → Chapati, mandazi, tea, car washing
Do you have time in the evening? → Smokies, mitumba, juice
Do you prefer staying in one spot? → Phone accessories, stationery, airtime
Do you want flexible hours? → Freelancing, eggs delivery, car washing
Are you in a busy area? → Food, drinks, accessories work well
Are you in a residential estate? → Eggs, car wash, mitumba door-to-door
Do you have a skill (writing, design)? → Freelancing is your best bet
Do you hate waking up early or dealing with people? → Skip food businesses
Common Mistakes That Kill 10k Businesses
1. Spending All 10k on Stock
Always keep 2,000–3,000 for transport, airtime, emergencies, and daily needs. If you spend everything, you’re stuck.
2. Starting in the Wrong Location
A business that works in Umoja may fail in Karen. A business that works near a construction site may fail near an office. Test your location for 1–2 weeks before committing.
3. Buying from Expensive Suppliers
Always compare prices. If you buy mitumba from a middleman instead of Gikomba, your profit margin is gone.
4. Not Tracking Money
Write down every expense and sale. Many small businesses fail because the owner doesn’t know if they’re making profit or loss.
5. Giving Credit Too Easily
“Nitakulipa kesho” is how many small businesses die. Avoid credit, especially in the first 3 months.
6. Quitting Too Soon
Most small capital businesses take 1–3 months to stabilize. Don’t quit in week two.
Scams to Avoid When Starting with 10k
“Buy stock from me, I’ll help you sell” – They take your money, you never see them again.
Pyramid schemes disguised as businesses – “Pay 5,000 to join, recruit others, make millions.” This is not a business.
Fake wholesalers online – They post cheap stock on Facebook, you send money via M-Pesa, they disappear.
“Business training” that costs 5,000 KES – Most of this information is free online or costs 500 KES for a real course.
Always:
- Meet suppliers in person
- Buy small first, test quality
- Avoid deals that sound too good
How to Grow a 10k Business into 50k or 100k
Step 1: Reinvest 100% of profits for the first 2–3 months. Don’t take money home yet.
Step 2: Track what sells fastest and buy more of that.
Step 3: Improve your setup. If you’re selling mitumba on the ground, get a table. If you’re using charcoal, upgrade to gas.
Step 4: Build a customer base. Collect phone numbers, create a WhatsApp group, offer small discounts for repeat customers.
Step 5: Add related products. If you sell chapati, add tea. If you sell phone cases, add screen protectors.
Step 6: Once you hit 50k in capital, consider opening a small stall or kiosk.
Do You Need a Business Permit to Start with 10k?
Technically, yes. Every business in Kenya requires a single business permit from your county government. Costs range from 3,000–10,000 KES depending on county and business type.
The reality: Most people starting with 10k begin informally and get permits later once the business is making money.
If you’re operating in a fixed location (kiosk, stall), you’ll need a permit sooner. If you’re mobile (door-to-door, different locations daily), you can delay it.
Other licenses that may apply:
- Food handler’s certificate (if selling food): 2,000 KES
- KRA PIN (free, register on iTax)
- Health inspection (for food businesses)
Start small, test the business, then get licenses once you’re sure it works.
FAQs: Business to Start with 10k in Kenya
1. Can I really start a business with 10,000 shillings?
Yes. Businesses like chapati selling, mitumba, phone accessories, eggs resale, and car washing can all start with 10k or less. The key is picking one that matches your location and skills.
2. Which is the most profitable business with 10k in Kenya?
Food businesses (chapati, mandazi, smokies) have the fastest turnover and highest daily profits if you’re in a good location. Mitumba and phone accessories have higher profit margins but slower sales.
3. How long before I start making money?
Most businesses generate income from day one, but expect to reinvest profits for 2–3 months before taking money home. Freelancing takes 1–3 months to land first clients.
4. Can I start a business with 10k and no experience?
Yes, but pick something simple like eggs delivery, car washing, or selling mandazi. Avoid businesses that need technical skills (like phone repair) or large stock management.
5. What are the biggest risks with 10k businesses?
Theft, choosing the wrong location, low-quality stock, giving too much credit, and spending all your capital at once. Protect your money by starting small and testing.
6. Is the market too saturated for small businesses in Kenya?
Some businesses are crowded (mitumba, M-Pesa agents) but there’s always room if you offer better service, convenient location, or fair prices. Differentiation matters more than the business type.
7. Do I need a license to start with 10k?
Officially yes, but most people start informally and get permits once the business is stable. If you operate from a fixed location, you’ll need a single business permit (3,000–10,000 KES) sooner.
8. Can I run a 10k business while working a job?
Yes. Freelancing, eggs delivery, and weekend mitumba are good for side income. Food businesses require morning or evening commitment, which may not suit 8–5 jobs.
Conclusion: Is 10k Enough to Start a Real Business?
Yes, but only if you’re realistic.
10,000 shillings is enough to test a business idea, learn the market, and start generating income. It’s not enough to quit your job or expect huge profits immediately.
This business model works best for:
- Students and youth with time and energy
- People looking for side income
- Anyone unemployed who needs to start earning quickly
- Entrepreneurs who want to test ideas before committing larger capital
Avoid 10k businesses if:
- You expect fast, easy money
- You’re not willing to wake up early or work weekends
- You can’t handle slow months
- You need immediate large income to survive
Your next steps:
- Pick one business from this list
- Research your specific location (walk around, ask people, observe traffic)
- Start with 5,000–7,000, keep 3,000 for backup
- Test for 30 days
- If it works, reinvest and scale
- If it fails, try another one
Most successful small business owners in Kenya failed 2–3 times before finding what works. The difference is they kept trying with small amounts until something clicked.
10k is your starting point, not your limit.
