K. Virtual assistance and remote work (ways 111–118): VA, customer support, bookkeeping and remote jobs
Not all online income is freelancing or business. Many Kenyans work remotely for companies abroad or in Kenya: as virtual assistants, customer support agents, bookkeepers, recruiters and project coordinators, often with steady weekly or monthly pay. Kenya's good English, time zone (overlapping European business hours and the US morning) and established BPO (business process outsourcing) sector make this a strong option.
111. Virtual assistant (VA)
What it is. Remote administrative support for busy entrepreneurs, executives and small businesses: managing email and calendars, booking travel, research, data entry, customer emails, social media posting, invoicing, document preparation.
How to start, step by step:
- List your existing skills: typing, Excel/Sheets, Word, email etiquette, Canva, social media, customer service.
- Choose a niche to stand out: real estate VA, e-commerce VA, executive assistant, podcast/YouTube VA, medical admin (with confidentiality).
- Create profiles on Upwork, OnlineJobs-style job boards, LinkedIn; build a one-page portfolio with services, tools and sample work (e.g. a calendar system or email templates you created).
- Apply with personalised proposals: mention the client's need, your relevant experience, and a quick idea to help.
- Start with fixed hours per week; communicate daily updates.
Growth. VAs who become Online Business Managers or specialise (e.g. bookkeeping, project management) earn more.
112. Customer support (remote and BPO)
What it is. Answering customer questions by phone, chat or email for companies: telcos, banks, e-commerce, travel, software. Some roles are with BPO companies in Kenya (office-based or hybrid), others are fully remote with international companies.
How to start: prepare a strong CV emphasising communication and customer service; practise typing speed and professional writing; prepare for assessments (language tests, typing tests, scenario questions); apply on company career pages, LinkedIn and reputable job boards. Verify any BPO before giving documents: check its physical address and reviews.
113. Chat and email support specialist
What it is. Text-only support (live chat, email, social media DMs), often for software and e-commerce companies. Good for people who write better than they speak on calls, or who can't take calls at home.
Key skills: fast accurate typing, empathy in writing, product knowledge, using help desk tools (Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, Gorgias), following macros and escalation procedures.
114. Bookkeeping
What it is. Recording transactions, reconciling bank and M-Pesa statements, preparing invoices, tracking expenses and producing simple financial reports for small businesses and freelancers, locally and abroad.
How to start:
- Learn accounting basics (or build on CPA/accounting studies): double entry, reconciliation, profit and loss, balance sheet.
- Learn software: QuickBooks Online, Xero, Zoho Books, and Excel; some offer free certifications for bookkeepers/advisors.
- Offer monthly bookkeeping packages to SMEs, churches, SACCO groups and online sellers; for international clients, learn their country's basics or work under an accountant.
- Keep strict confidentiality.
Note. Filing returns and giving tax advice in Kenya may need professional qualifications for some services; know where bookkeeping ends and regulated accounting/tax practice begins.
115. E-commerce store assistant
What it is. Running the back office of online stores (Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, Jumia): uploading products, writing listings, processing orders, answering customers, managing inventory, handling returns.
How to start: learn Shopify admin and marketplace seller centres (free trial stores let you practise), product listing best practice and order workflows; offer on Upwork and to Kenyan online sellers.
116. Recruitment sourcing and HR admin
What it is. Finding candidates for recruiters (sourcing on LinkedIn and job boards), screening CVs, scheduling interviews, onboarding paperwork, HR data entry.
How to start: learn LinkedIn search and Boolean search ("developer AND (Nairobi OR Kenya) AND Flutter"), applicant tracking systems (many have free tiers), and interview scheduling tools. HR students and graduates have an advantage. Respect data protection with candidates' information.
117. Project coordination
What it is. Keeping projects on track for remote teams: planning tasks, following up, running meetings, documenting, using tools like Trello, Asana, ClickUp, Jira and Notion.
How to start: learn project management basics (free courses; certifications like Google Project Management on Coursera with financial aid, or CAPM/PMP later); manage a real project (an event, church project, group assignment) using a tool and document it as a case study.
118. Remote full-time jobs
What it is. Being employed by a company abroad or in Kenya while working from home: developers, designers, marketers, customer success, sales, data analysts, writers, product managers.
Where to look:
- LinkedIn (filter "Remote"), company career pages
- Remote job boards: We Work Remotely, Remote OK, Wellfound (startups), Working Nomads, Remotive
- Africa-focused talent networks and recruiters (verify them)
How to stand out:
- A strong LinkedIn profile (photo, headline, achievements, skills, recommendations).
- A portfolio or GitHub for creative/technical roles.
- Tailored CVs and cover letters for each application.
- Proof of remote readiness: tools, communication samples, reliable setup.
- Timezone flexibility stated clearly.
Payment and contracts. Remote employers may pay through an Employer of Record (EOR) service, contractor platforms (Deel, Remote.com and similar) or direct bank transfer. Read contracts: are you an employee or a contractor? Contractors handle their own taxes.
Building your remote work profile (checklist)
- [ ] Professional email and LinkedIn with a clear headline ("Virtual Assistant | Google Workspace, Canva, Customer Support")
- [ ] CV tailored to remote roles, with tools listed
- [ ] Portfolio of sample work (email templates, spreadsheets, reports, designs)
- [ ] Short intro video (some clients love these)
- [ ] Reliable internet + backup, headset, quiet space
- [ ] Payment method set up (Payoneer, PayPal, Wise or bank)
- [ ] References or testimonials
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Generic copy-paste applications | Personalise each one |
| No backup internet or power | Arrange a backup; communicate outages early |
| Poor communication | Daily updates, quick replies in working hours |
| Taking on too many clients | Commit only what you can deliver |
| Falling for fake job offers | Verify companies; never pay to get hired |
Practice tasks
- Write a VA services menu with 8 services and the tools you use.
- Create a sample "inbox management" system: labels, filters and 5 email templates in Gmail.
- Reconcile a sample month of M-Pesa transactions in Excel.
- Update your LinkedIn headline and About section for remote work.
- Find 5 remote jobs that match your skills and note their requirements.
Summary
- Remote work options: virtual assistant, customer support (remote and BPO), chat/email support, bookkeeping, e-commerce assistant, recruitment sourcing, project coordination and full-time remote jobs.
- Employers value reliability, communication and tool skills; prepare a strong LinkedIn, CV and portfolio.
- Find work on Upwork, LinkedIn, remote job boards and verified Kenyan BPOs.
- Watch for remote job scams; never pay to get hired.
Check yourself
What does VA stand for? (two words)
Show answer
virtual assistant
What does BPO stand for? Write the first word.
Show answer
Business
Name one help desk tool used in chat and email support.
Show answer
Zendesk
Name one bookkeeping software.
Show answer
QuickBooks
Should you pay a fee to get a remote job? (yes or no)
Show answer
no
Which networking site is most important for remote job hunting?
Show answer
LinkedIn