Quick Answer Box
What business can I start with 50k in Kenya? With KES 50,000, you can start grocery shops, cereal selling, event chairs rental, gas refilling, mitumba bales, poultry (100 layers), or car wash. Most make KES 2,000–5,000 daily profit and break even in 1–3 months.
Introduction
If you’re looking for a business to start with 50k in Kenya, you have better options than someone with 20k—but also more ways to lose everything if you choose wrong.
KES 50,000 is enough to start a small shop, buy equipment that generates income, or stock inventory that moves fast. The difference between success and failure is choosing a business that matches your location, time, and skills.
Many people lose 50k in two months because they open shops in wrong locations, buy slow-moving stock, or underestimate daily operating costs.
This guide shows you 15 proven businesses you can start with 50k capital in Kenya, exact cost breakdowns, realistic profits, and mistakes that drain capital fast.
Why KES 50,000 Opens Better Business Options
With 50k, you can:
- Rent a small shop space and pay deposit (20k-30k areas)
- Buy equipment that generates daily income (gas cylinder business, poultry)
- Stock inventory for 2-3 weeks without restocking pressure
- Start businesses with KES 2,000-5,000 daily profit potential
But this also means:
- Higher risk if you fail (it’s harder to lose 20k than 50k)
- More competition (everyone with 50k thinks of shops first)
- Greater need for proper planning and location research
15 Best Businesses to Start with 50K in Kenya
1. Mini Grocery (Vegetables, Fruits, Cereals)
What it is: A small shop selling daily essentials—vegetables, fruits, maize, beans, rice, cooking oil.
Why it works: Everyone needs food daily. Repeat customers. Fast stock rotation.
Capital breakdown:
- Shop rent + deposit (2 months): KES 16,000–20,000
- Initial stock (vegetables, cereals, fruits): KES 20,000
- Shelves, weighing scale, basins: KES 5,000
- Packaging bags, papers: KES 2,000
- Lighting (solar bulb or electricity deposit): KES 3,000
- Float: KES 4,000
Daily profits: KES 1,500–3,000 (15-25% margin on KES 10,000-15,000 daily sales)
Break-even time: 2-3 months
Best locations: Residential estates—not main roads. Inside estates where people walk daily.
Challenges: Vegetables spoil if not sold. Some customers buy on credit. Competition from neighbors. Rent must be paid even on slow days.
Pro tip: Stock what your neighbors actually buy. Don’t copy supermarkets. Talk to 10 people in the estate first.
2. Cereal Business (Maize, Beans, Rice Selling)
What it is: Buying cereals in bulk from farmers or wholesalers, repackaging into smaller units (1kg, 2kg, 5kg), selling at markets or shops.
Why it works: Cereals don’t spoil. Good profit margins (KES 10-20 per kg). Constant demand.
Capital breakdown:
- 10 bags maize (90kg each): KES 25,000
- 5 bags beans: KES 15,000
- Weighing scale (digital): KES 3,500
- Packaging bags (1kg, 2kg): KES 2,500
- Transport: KES 2,000
- Float: KES 2,000
Daily profits: KES 1,500–2,500 (selling 50-80kg daily)
Break-even time: 6-8 weeks
Best locations: Markets (Marikiti, Wakulima, estate markets), roadsides near estates
Challenges: Weevils if stored badly. Price fluctuations during harvest season. Heavy lifting.
3. Event Chairs and Tents Rental
What it is: Buying plastic chairs and tents, renting them out for weddings, funerals, parties, church events.
Why it works: Events happen every weekend. One rental pays for the chair 3-4 times.
Capital breakdown:
- 100 plastic chairs (KES 350 each): KES 35,000
- 2 tents (4×6 meters, second-hand): KES 10,000
- Delivery transport (first trips): KES 2,000
- Marketing (flyers, social media): KES 2,000
- Storage space (if needed): KES 1,000
Daily profits: KES 2,000–6,000 per event (weekends only)
Break-even time: 2-3 months (after 8-10 events)
Best locations: Residential areas with many events—Kayole, Rongai, Pipeline, Kitengela, rural areas
Challenges: Chairs break or get stolen. Transport costs eat profits. Slow months (Jan-Feb). Must compete with established rental businesses.
Pro tip: Partner with someone who has a pickup truck. Offer free delivery within 5km radius.
4. Gas Cylinder Refilling Business
What it is: Buying 13kg gas cylinders, refilling them wholesale (KES 2,500-2,800), selling retail (KES 3,200-3,500).
Why it works: Everyone who cooks needs gas. You make KES 400-700 per refill. Repeat customers monthly.
Capital breakdown:
- 10 empty 13kg cylinders (KES 2,500 each): KES 25,000
- First refills (10 cylinders): KES 28,000
- Transport (to refill depot): KES 2,000
- Marketing (flyers, estate posters): KES 2,000
- Float: KES 3,000
Note: This setup is KES 60,000. To fit 50k, start with 6-7 cylinders.
Daily profits: KES 1,500–3,000 (selling 3-5 refills daily after building customer base)
Break-even time: 2-3 months
Best locations: Estates with many tenants—Umoja, Donholm, Embakasi, Rongai
Challenges: Cylinders are heavy. Some customers want credit. Gas prices fluctuate. Need safe storage space.
Pro tip: Offer free delivery. Build a WhatsApp customer list. Send reminders when cylinders are almost empty.
5. Poultry Farming (100 Layers – Egg Production)
What it is: Buying 100 layer chickens, raising them for egg production, selling eggs wholesale or retail.
Why it works: Daily income from eggs. One tray sells KES 450-500. Chicken droppings (manure) also sell.
Capital breakdown:
- 100 point-of-lay chickens (16 weeks old, KES 400 each): KES 40,000
- Chicken house (wood and wire mesh, DIY): KES 5,000
- Feeders and drinkers: KES 2,000
- First feeds (2 bags, 70kg each): KES 7,000
- Medication: KES 1,000
- Egg trays: KES 500
Note: This is KES 55,500. To fit 50k, buy 80-90 chickens or build a cheaper structure.
Daily profits: KES 1,000–1,500 (selling 3-4 trays daily after peak production at 20-22 weeks)
Break-even time: 3-4 months
Best locations: Outskirts of towns—Ruiru, Juja, Kitengela, Athi River. Need space at home or cheap land.
Challenges: Chickens get sick (Newcastle disease). Eggs can break during transport. Feeds are expensive. Must clean daily.
Pro tip: Don’t buy day-old chicks if you’re a beginner. Buy point-of-lay (16-18 weeks) to start earning faster.
6. Mitumba Bales Business (Clothes or Shoes)
What it is: Buying full bales of second-hand clothes or shoes, sorting, selling retail at markets or roadsides.
Why it works: High profit margins (buy at KES 30-80, sell at KES 200-500). Fast turnover if location is good.
Capital breakdown:
- 1 bale of assorted mitumba clothes: KES 30,000–35,000
- Transport from Gikomba: KES 2,000
- Display rack or mat: KES 3,000
- Hangers and packaging bags: KES 2,000
- Market stall rent (1 month): KES 5,000
- Float: KES 3,000
Daily profits: KES 1,500–3,000 (selling 10-15 pieces daily)
Break-even time: 6-8 weeks
Best locations: Open-air markets, roadsides, estate corners with foot traffic
Challenges: Some bales have damaged items. Sorting is hard work. Rainy days kill sales. Competition is very high.
Pro tip: Specialize in one category—ladies’ dresses, men’s jeans, kids’ clothes, or shoes. Don’t mix everything.
7. Phone Repair Shop (Basic Repairs)
What it is: Opening a small shop fixing phone screens, charging ports, software issues, selling phone accessories.
Why it works: Phones break daily. Repeat customers. Good margins on repairs (charge KES 500-1,500 per repair, parts cost KES 200-600).
Capital breakdown:
- Shop rent + deposit (2 months): KES 16,000
- Basic repair tools (screwdrivers, heat gun, tester): KES 8,000
- Spare parts stock (screens, batteries, charging ports): KES 15,000
- Display counter and shelves: KES 4,000
- Phone accessories (cases, chargers): KES 5,000
- Signage: KES 2,000
Daily profits: KES 1,000–2,500 (5-8 repairs daily + accessories sales)
Break-even time: 2-3 months
Best locations: Near matatu stages, bus stops, town centers
Challenges: You need basic repair skills (take 1-week training, costs KES 5,000-8,000). Customers blame you if phone doesn’t work after repair. Spare parts dealers sometimes con beginners.
Pro tip: Learn from YouTube first. Start with simple repairs—screen replacement, software flashing. Avoid motherboard repairs until you’re experienced.
8. Car Wash Business
What it is: Washing cars at busy spots—petrol stations, estates, offices.
Why it works: Car owners hate washing their own cars. Repeat customers weekly.
Capital breakdown:
- Pressure washer machine (electric): KES 18,000
- Water tank (1,000L): KES 8,000
- Detergents, wax, polish (2 months stock): KES 5,000
- Buckets, sponges, brushes: KES 3,000
- Shade (tent or simple structure): KES 8,000
- Marketing (flyers, signage): KES 3,000
- Water bills (first month): KES 3,000
- Float: KES 2,000
Daily profits: KES 1,500–3,000 (washing 8-12 cars at KES 300-500 each)
Break-even time: 2-3 months
Best locations: Near estates with parking, petrol stations, office blocks
Challenges: Water supply issues. Slow weekdays. Pressure washer can break. Need permission from landowners or petrol stations.
Pro tip: Offer monthly packages (KES 2,000 for 4 washes). Target office workers who park nearby.
9. Barbershop (1-2 Seats)
What it is: Small kinyozi with 1-2 chairs, offering haircuts, shaves, beards.
Why it works: Men need haircuts every 2-3 weeks. Repeat customers. Daily cash flow.
Capital breakdown:
- Shop rent + deposit (2 months): KES 18,000
- 2 barber chairs (second-hand): KES 12,000
- Clippers (2 Wahl or Kemei): KES 8,000
- Mirrors, shelves, waiting seats: KES 5,000
- Barber tools (scissors, combs, razors): KES 2,000
- Towels, aprons: KES 2,000
- Signage and décor: KES 3,000
Daily profits: KES 1,200–2,500 (15-20 customers at KES 100-150 each)
Break-even time: 3-4 months
Best locations: Estates, near markets, along busy footpaths
Challenges: You must know how to cut hair or hire someone (pay KES 400-600 per day). Electricity bills. Slow weekdays. Competition from established kinyozis.
Pro tip: Offer mobile services—go to customers’ homes for KES 300-400. Great for weekends.
10. Boda Boda Business (Buying a Motorcycle)
What it is: Buying a second-hand motorcycle, riding it yourself or hiring someone.
Why it works: Daily cash flow. Transport demand is constant.
Capital breakdown:
- Second-hand Boxer 150cc (2015-2017 model): KES 45,000–50,000
- Helmet and reflector jacket: KES 3,000
- First insurance + NTSA sticker: KES 5,000 (but this pushes over 50k)
- Float (fuel): KES 2,000
Note: This setup is tight. Many people start by hiring the boda instead of insuring immediately (risky but common).
Daily profits:
- If riding yourself: KES 1,500–2,500 daily
- If hiring out: KES 500–800 daily (rider keeps the rest)
Break-even time: 3-6 months (faster if you ride yourself)
Best locations: Estates, near markets, rural areas
Challenges: Accidents. Theft. Police bribes. Mechanical breakdowns. Riders can disappear with the bike if you hire out.
Pro tip: If hiring out, only give to someone you know well. Track them daily. Install a tracker (costs KES 8,000-12,000 but saves you from theft).
11. Smokies and Sausages Deep Frying (Full Setup)
What it is: Operating a full smokies stand with gas, kachumbari, seating area.
Why it works: Higher capacity than small charcoal jiko. Faster cooking. More sales per hour.
Capital breakdown:
- 6kg gas cylinder + burner + stand: KES 8,000
- Deep fryer (large): KES 5,000
- 20kg smokies/sausages: KES 16,000
- Cooking oil (10L): KES 4,000
- Kachumbari ingredients: KES 2,000
- Table, chairs (4 plastic seats): KES 4,000
- Plates, napkins, sauce: KES 3,000
- Display glass case: KES 5,000
- Marketing (signage): KES 2,000
- Float: KES 1,000
Daily profits: KES 2,000–4,000 (selling 150-250 pieces daily)
Break-even time: 4-6 weeks
Best locations: Bus stages, colleges, construction sites, town centers
Challenges: Gas refills every 3-4 days. Oil changes. Slow lunch hours in some locations. Kanjo in some towns.
12. Mama Fua and Dry Cleaning Service (Full Setup)
What it is: Offering washing, ironing, and basic dry cleaning to estates and offices.
Why it works: Busy professionals and bachelors hate laundry. Repeat customers weekly.
Capital breakdown:
- Washing machine (semi-automatic, second-hand): KES 15,000
- Iron box (heavy duty): KES 3,500
- Ironing board and table: KES 3,000
- Detergents and softeners (1 month stock): KES 5,000
- Hangers, packaging bags: KES 2,000
- Drying lines, basins, buckets: KES 3,000
- Marketing (flyers, estate posters): KES 3,000
- Water tank (if no direct water): KES 8,000
- Float: KES 2,500
Note: This is KES 45,000 if you skip the water tank. Fit by starting at home with direct water supply.
Daily profits: KES 1,500–3,000 (washing 8-12 loads at KES 300-500 each)
Break-even time: 2-3 months
Best locations: Estates with many bachelors—Kasarani, Ruaka, Rongai, South B, South C
Challenges: Very physical work. Water and electricity bills. Some customers delay payments. Clothes can get damaged.
Pro tip: Offer pickup and delivery. Charge KES 100 extra. Target office workers through WhatsApp groups.
13. Groundnuts Roasting Business
What it is: Buying raw groundnuts, roasting them, packaging, selling at markets, stages, or wholesaling to small shops.
Why it works: High demand. Good margins (buy at KES 150/kg, sell at KES 250-300/kg). Product doesn’t spoil easily.
Capital breakdown:
- Raw groundnuts (100kg): KES 15,000
- Roasting drum (jiko ya kunde): KES 8,000
- Charcoal (1 week): KES 2,000
- Packaging bags (small packets): KES 3,000
- Weighing scale: KES 2,000
- Marketing and transport: KES 2,000
- Storage sacks: KES 1,000
- Float: KES 2,000
Daily profits: KES 1,500–2,500
Break-even time: 6-8 weeks
Best locations: Markets, matatu stages, schools
Challenges: Smoke and heat. Slow rainy days. Must roast fresh daily or every 2 days to maintain quality.
14. Greengrocery Supply to Restaurants and Hotels
What it is: Buying vegetables, tomatoes, onions wholesale at dawn, delivering to hotels and restaurants before they open.
Why it works: Hotels need daily supply. They pay better than retail customers. Repeat orders.
Capital breakdown:
- First stock (vegetables for 3-5 customers): KES 20,000
- Weighing scale: KES 3,000
- Packaging bags and crates: KES 3,000
- Transport (boda or mkokoteni): KES 5,000
- Marketing (visiting hotels, printing cards): KES 2,000
- Float: KES 7,000
- Emergency stock buffer: KES 10,000
Daily profits: KES 2,000–4,000 (after securing 5-10 regular customers)
Break-even time: 4-6 weeks
Best locations: Towns with many hotels—Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu
Challenges: Must wake up at 3-4 AM daily. Some hotels delay payments. Vegetables spoil if customer cancels order.
Pro tip: Start with 2-3 customers. Deliver on time every single day. Build trust before expanding.
15. Bookshop and Stationery
What it is: Small shop selling exercise books, pens, pencils, printing, photocopying services.
Why it works: Schools always need stationery. Steady demand during school terms.
Capital breakdown:
- Shop rent + deposit: KES 16,000
- Stock (exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers): KES 20,000
- Printer (second-hand): KES 8,000
- Photocopier (second-hand) or pay-per-use arrangement: KES 0-15,000
- Shelves and counter: KES 3,000
- Signage: KES 2,000
- Float: KES 1,000
Note: Skip photocopier at start if over budget. Add it after 2 months.
Daily profits: KES 800–1,500 during school term, KES 200-500 during holidays
Break-even time: 3-4 months
Best locations: Near primary or secondary schools
Challenges: Slow during school holidays (Dec, April, Aug). Printer breakdowns. Competition from established bookshops.
How to Choose the Right Business with Your 50K
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do you have space at home or need to rent?
- Home-based: Poultry, laundry, groundnuts roasting
- Need shop: Grocery, phone repair, barbershop
2. Do you want daily cash or weekly/monthly?
- Daily: Grocery, smokies, car wash
- Weekly: Chairs rental (weekends only)
- Monthly: Poultry (after eggs start)
3. Can you wake up very early (3-5 AM)?
- Yes: Vegetable supply to hotels, cereal business
- No: Phone repair, barbershop, mitumba
4. Do you have skills or need to learn?
- Skills needed: Phone repair, barbershop
- No skills needed: Grocery, chairs rental, gas business
5. Are you starting solo or with a partner?
- Solo: Grocery, cereal, poultry
- Better with partner: Boda boda (if hiring out), car wash, chairs rental
Common Mistakes That Kill Businesses Started with 50K
1. Opening a Shop in the Wrong Location
Rent is 10k/month. If you’re in a location with low foot traffic, you’ll lose 30k in 3 months before admitting failure.
Solution: Visit the location at different times. Count people passing. Talk to other shop owners about their sales.
2. Stocking What You Like, Not What Customers Buy
You open a grocery and stock expensive items because you think they look good. Customers want ugali flour and sukuma wiki, not quinoa.
Solution: Ask 20 neighbors what they buy daily before stocking.
3. Not Calculating Daily Operating Costs
You think your 50k is all profit. Then rent (10k), electricity (2k), transport (3k), and daily miscellaneous costs (1k/day = 30k/month) eat everything.
Solution: Write down every single expense for 2 weeks. Know your real profit.
4. Giving Credit Too Fast
“Nitakulipa end month.” You give credit to 10 customers. They disappear. You’ve lost 15k in stock.
Solution: No credit for first 3 months. Build trust first. Even then, only to people you know well.
5. Eating Business Money
You make 2k profit. You take it all home. Next week you have no money to restock.
Solution: Only take 30-40% of profit home. Leave 60% in the business for restocking and emergencies.
6. Not Keeping Records
You don’t know if you’re making profit or loss. You just “feel” like business is okay. Then after 3 months, your 50k is gone.
Solution: Write down daily sales, expenses, and profit in a notebook. Every single day.
How to Grow Your 50K Business to 100K in 6 Months
Step 1: Reinvest 60% of profits for first 3 months Don’t take all the money home. Use it to increase stock or improve your setup.
Step 2: Add a second income stream
- Grocery shop? Add M-Pesa services.
- Phone repair? Sell accessories.
- Car wash? Offer interior vacuuming for extra KES 200.
Step 3: Reduce operating costs
- Negotiate rent after 3 months of paying on time.
- Buy stock in bulk to get discounts.
- Walk instead of taking boda for nearby errands.
Step 4: Get repeat customers
- Remember their names.
- Offer loyalty discounts (10th wash free).
- Send reminders via SMS or WhatsApp.
Step 5: Track what works
- Which products sell most? Stock more.
- Which hours are busiest? Focus energy there.
- Which customers spend most? Give them priority.
Do You Need Business Permits and Licenses?
Single Business Permit (SBP):
- Required by county government
- Costs KES 5,000–15,000 per year (depends on county and business type)
- Most small businesses start without it but risk county askari harassment
Health Certificate (for food businesses):
- Costs KES 2,000–5,000
- Required for grocery, smokies, restaurants
- Most small vendors don’t have it initially
Fire Safety Certificate (for shops):
- Required by some counties
- Costs KES 3,000–7,000
Real advice: Start first. Make money for 2-3 months. Then get permits to avoid constant harassment. Don’t let permits stop you from starting.
For boda boda: Insurance and NTSA are legally required (but many riders skip insurance and risk it).
FAQs
What is the most profitable business to start with 50k in Kenya?
Event chairs and tents rental, gas cylinder refilling, and vegetable supply to hotels have the highest profit margins (KES 2,000-4,000 daily). But they need more effort in marketing and logistics compared to simple grocery shops.
Can I start a shop with 50k in Kenya?
Yes. A mini grocery or cereal shop needs KES 16,000-20,000 for rent deposit, leaving 30k-34k for stock. Choose locations inside estates where rent is KES 8,000-10,000, not main roads where it’s 20k-30k.
Which business gives daily income with 50k capital?
Grocery shop, smokies business, car wash, cereal selling, and gas refilling all give you cash every evening. Avoid businesses like poultry or mitumba which take weeks before consistent income.
How long does it take to get back 50k in business?
Most businesses break even in 2-3 months if you run them well. Chairs rental and gas refilling can take 3-4 months. Groceries and smokies are faster (6-8 weeks) because of daily sales.
Can I start a boda boda business with 50k?
Yes, but barely. A second-hand Boxer costs KES 45,000-50,000. You’ll need extra money for insurance (KES 10,000) and emergency repairs. Many people start without insurance (risky) or hire the boda out and use profit to insure later.
What are the risks of starting a business with 50k?
Main risks: wrong location (especially for shops), giving credit too fast, not tracking expenses, competition, theft, and eating your own capital. The biggest killer is opening a shop in a location with low foot traffic.
Is 50k enough to start poultry farming?
Yes. You can buy 80-100 point-of-lay chickens, build a simple chicken house, and buy feeds for the first month. Eggs start coming in 4-6 weeks. Daily income is KES 1,000-1,500 after peak production.
Which is better, shop or mobile business with 50k?
Mobile businesses (car wash, vegetable supply, chairs rental) have no rent but need transport. Shops (grocery, phone repair) have fixed costs but build steady customers. Choose based on your lifestyle—if you can’t stay in one place all day, go mobile.
Conclusion
The best business to start with 50k in Kenya depends on your location, skills, and how much time you can commit daily.
This works for:
- People who can commit 8-12 hours daily
- Those with space at home (for poultry, laundry, roasting)
- People in residential estates with foot traffic
- Anyone willing to wake up early and work weekends
Avoid if:
- You want fast millions (these take 6-12 months to stabilize)
- You can’t handle slow first months
- You’re not ready to reinvest profits back into the business
Next steps:
- Pick one business from this list
- Visit 3 locations where similar businesses operate
- Talk to owners (they’ll tell you real challenges)
- Start with 70% of your capital to test (keep 30% for emergencies)
- Track daily sales and expenses religiously
- Adjust after 1 month based on what’s working
Don’t overthink it. KES 50,000 is enough to build something real if you stay consistent, track numbers, and don’t eat your capital.
