Events, hospitality, health and wellness services
Weddings, birthdays, conferences, fitness and wellbeing are all growing markets in Kenya, and social media is the main way these services find customers. These methods mix skills, people and online marketing.
What these methods share
- Reputation and reviews decide bookings.
- Contracts and deposits protect you from cancellations.
- Health services must stay within your qualifications and licences.
313. Event planning
What it is: Planning weddings, parties, corporate events and conferences. How it works: Consultation → budget → vendors → coordination on the day.
| Skills | Organisation, negotiation, calm under pressure |
| Cost & equipment | Phone, laptop, vendor network |
| Where to find work | Couples, families, companies, social media |
| Payment | Planning fee or percentage |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium–high |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Assist established planners; plan events for friends. Pros: Creative, rewarding. Cons & risks: Stress; vendor failures. Scam warning: Vendors who take deposits and disappear; vet them. Kenya notes: Weddings, ruracio, graduations and corporate events drive demand.
314. MC and event hosting
What it is: Hosting events as master of ceremonies. How it works: Bookings → preparation → hosting.
| Skills | Public speaking, humour, languages |
| Cost & equipment | Professional attire |
| Where to find work | Weddings, corporate events, social media |
| Payment | Per event |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium–high |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Record hosting clips; build reviews. Pros: Good pay per event. Cons & risks: Weekend work. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Bilingual MCs (English/Kiswahili/local languages) are in demand.
315. DJ services
What it is: Playing music at events and clubs. How it works: Bookings → set preparation → performance.
| Skills | Mixing, reading crowds |
| Cost & equipment | DJ equipment, sound system or hire, licensed music |
| Where to find work | Events, clubs, radio |
| Payment | Per gig |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium–high |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Build mixes online; play smaller events. Pros: Fun. Cons & risks: Equipment costs; late nights. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Music licensing (collecting societies) may apply to public performances.
316. Sound and PA system hire
What it is: Renting sound systems with operators for events. How it works: Booking → setup → operation.
| Skills | Audio setup |
| Cost & equipment | Speakers, mixers, mics |
| Where to find work | Churches, events, schools |
| Payment | Per event |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Start small; expand with demand. Pros: High demand. Cons & risks: Equipment damage. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Follow noise regulations.
317. Tents, chairs and event equipment hire
What it is: Renting tents, chairs, tables and décor. How it works: Bookings → delivery → setup → collection.
| Skills | Logistics |
| Cost & equipment | Inventory, transport |
| Where to find work | Funerals, weddings, events |
| Payment | Per event |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Begin with chairs and tents. Pros: Constant demand. Cons & risks: Wear and storage. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Funerals and weddings create year-round demand.
318. Catering services
What it is: Preparing food for events. How it works: Menu planning → cooking → serving.
| Skills | Cooking, hygiene, team management |
| Cost & equipment | Kitchen equipment, staff |
| Where to find work | Events, offices, schools |
| Payment | Per plate |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Cater small events; build reviews. Pros: High demand. Cons & risks: Food safety rules. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Medical certificates and county food licences apply.
319. Wedding photography and videography packages
What it is: Combined photo and video coverage for weddings (see also methods 118 and 132). How it works: Packages → coverage → editing → delivery.
| Skills | Photography, videography |
| Cost & equipment | Cameras, team |
| Where to find work | Couples, planners |
| Payment | Packages |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to medium–high |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Build a portfolio; partner with planners. Pros: High value. Cons & risks: Peak-season pressure. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Peak in April, August and December.
320. Personal training (in person and online)
What it is: Coaching clients on fitness goals. How it works: Assessment → programmes → sessions → progress tracking.
| Skills | Fitness certification, motivation |
| Cost & equipment | Equipment, gym access |
| Where to find work | Gyms, social media, corporates |
| Payment | Per session or monthly |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Get certified; offer online programmes. Pros: Healthy work. Cons & risks: Injury liability. Scam warning: Avoid selling unsafe "miracle" supplements. Kenya notes: Online fitness content attracts clients.
321. Yoga, aerobics and dance classes
What it is: Group fitness classes. How it works: Venue or online classes.
| Skills | Instruction certification |
| Cost & equipment | Space, sound system |
| Where to find work | Communities, offices, gyms |
| Payment | Per class or monthly |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Start in community halls. Pros: Recurring. Cons & risks: Venue costs. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Corporate wellness programmes hire instructors.
322. Nutrition and meal planning (qualified)
What it is: Advising on diets and meal plans. How it works: Consultations → personalised plans.
| Skills | Nutrition qualification |
| Cost & equipment | Laptop |
| Where to find work | Clients, gyms, clinics |
| Payment | Per consultation |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Only within your qualifications; refer medical cases to doctors. Pros: Growing demand. Cons & risks: Regulation of nutrition practice. Scam warning: Avoid miracle weight-loss claims. Kenya notes: Nutritionists and dietitians are regulated in Kenya.
323. Massage and spa services (licensed)
What it is: Professional massage and spa treatments. How it works: Salon/spa or mobile service.
| Skills | Certified therapy training |
| Cost & equipment | Equipment, oils |
| Where to find work | Clients, hotels, spas |
| Payment | Per session |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Train professionally; build trust through reviews. Pros: Steady demand. Cons & risks: Safety for mobile services. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Follow licensing and county regulations.
324. Barbering and grooming services
What it is: Haircuts and grooming in shops or mobile. How it works: Walk-ins and bookings via social media.
| Skills | Barbering |
| Cost & equipment | Clippers, chair, premises |
| Where to find work | Neighbourhood, social media |
| Payment | Per service |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Showcase styles on TikTok/Instagram. Pros: Constant demand. Cons & risks: Competition. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Hygiene standards matter (sterilise tools).
325. Counselling and life coaching (qualified)
What it is: Supporting people through challenges, career or personal goals. How it works: Sessions in person or online.
| Skills | Counselling qualifications for therapy; coaching training for coaching |
| Cost & equipment | Private space, phone/laptop |
| Where to find work | Clients, organisations, schools |
| Payment | Per session |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Practise within your qualifications; refer mental health emergencies. Pros: Meaningful. Cons & risks: Ethical responsibility. Scam warning: Unqualified "therapists" can cause harm; stay within scope. Kenya notes: Counselling practice is regulated; check professional body requirements.
326. Telehealth (licensed professionals)
What it is: Qualified health professionals offering consultations online. How it works: Licensed practice through telehealth platforms or own systems.
| Skills | Medical licence |
| Cost & equipment | Telehealth setup |
| Where to find work | Patients, platforms |
| Payment | Per consultation |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Only licensed practitioners; follow regulator guidance. Pros: Reach more patients. Cons & risks: Data privacy. Scam warning: Fake "online doctors" selling medicines illegally. Kenya notes: Health professionals must follow their regulatory bodies' rules for telemedicine.
327. Caregiving and home nursing (qualified)
What it is: Caring for elderly, sick or disabled people at home. How it works: Agencies or direct contracts.
| Skills | Caregiving or nursing training |
| Cost & equipment | Training certificates |
| Where to find work | Families, agencies |
| Payment | Daily or monthly |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Get certified training. Pros: Growing demand locally and abroad. Cons & risks: Emotionally demanding. Scam warning: Fake overseas caregiver jobs charging fees; verify agencies. Kenya notes: Use only licensed recruitment agencies for jobs abroad (verify with official lists).
328. Childcare and nanny services
What it is: Caring for children at home or in daycare. How it works: Direct employment or agencies.
| Skills | Childcare, first aid, trustworthiness |
| Cost & equipment | References |
| Where to find work | Families, agencies |
| Payment | Monthly |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Get first-aid training; build references. Pros: Steady demand. Cons & risks: Long hours. Scam warning: Agencies charging large fees. Kenya notes: Daycare centres require proper licensing.
329. Wedding and event stationery and favours
What it is: Producing personalised favours, invitations and souvenirs (complements design methods 40 and 279). How it works: Orders → production → delivery.
| Skills | Crafts, design |
| Cost & equipment | Materials |
| Where to find work | Couples, planners |
| Payment | Per order |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Create sample sets. Pros: Seasonal peaks. Cons & risks: Deadlines. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Personalised favours are popular at weddings.
330. Event ticketing and access control services
What it is: Managing ticket sales and entry scanning for events. How it works: Ticketing platform + QR scanning at gates.
| Skills | Tech setup, organisation |
| Cost & equipment | Scanners or phones, ticketing system |
| Where to find work | Event organisers |
| Payment | Per event or per ticket |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Partner with organisers. Pros: Growing event industry. Cons & risks: Crowd management. Scam warning: Prevent ticket fraud with unique QR codes. Kenya notes: M-Pesa ticket payments are standard.
Summary
- Events and wellness methods include planning, MCs, DJs, sound and equipment hire, catering, wedding coverage, fitness, nutrition, massage, barbering, counselling, telehealth, caregiving, childcare, favours and ticketing.
- Use contracts and deposits; stay within qualifications for health services; follow licensing rules.
Check yourself
Should unqualified people offer therapy or medical advice? (yes or no)
Show answer
no
What should you use to prevent ticket fraud at events? (two words)
Show answer
QR codes
For overseas caregiver jobs, what kind of recruitment agency should you use?
Show answer
licensed