Business You Can Start in Kisumu With Under 5,000 Shillings.

Times are challenging in Kenya, and the cost of living keeps skyrocketing. To make it more difficult, jobs are hard to come by as most employers keep cutting their wages by either laying off employees or ceasing to hire new ones. To ride this rough tide calls for solutions from you that can be had inwards.

You can do this by getting into business. When I say business, I know the one thing that shouts out in your mind is capital. Relax, you may have minor, but you can use what you have or can source to start and grow a business. Let’s look at some ventures you can start with a capital of 5,000 shillings or below.

Starting a small business with limited capital under 5,000 shillings in Kisumu may seem challenging. Still, it is possible with a bit of creativity, innovation, and passion. Here are ten potential business ideas with their market dynamics, viability, the best area to station them, and client base:

1. Vegetable and Fruits Vending

Kisumu is home to a vast range of agricultural produce. Starting a vegetable vending business in the city can be profitable as it caters to the demand for fresh, locally grown vegetables. The best location to set up the company is near busy marketplaces in the town or densely populated residential areas. The target market would be the general public who prefers fresh vegetables.

2. Mobile Food Cart Business

A mobile food cart is a low-cost business idea that can be profitable in Kisumu. You can serve local delicacies such as Chapati, Mandazi, and Samosas or fast foods such as chips, sausages, and boiled eggs. The best place to the station is near busy streets, schools, or office areas. The target market would be the general public, students, and office workers.

3. Second-hand Bookstore

Starting a second-hand bookstore can be a viable business idea in Kisumu, especially near learning institutions or busy streets. The capital required would be to purchase a few books as you grow your stock as per market needs. The target market is students and book lovers.

4. Mobile Phone Accessories and Repair Shop Business

A mobile phone repair business is growing in Kisumu, with a high demand for phone accessories and repair services. Opening shops near busy streets, markets, or learning institutions is ideal. The target market is the general public. You can start 9ff by subletting a shop and sharing rent as you pick up slowly, stocking up on fast-moving, high-demand accessories.

5. Freelance Writing Business

You can start a freelance writing business if you have excellent writing skills. You can offer your services to students, companies, or individuals who need assistance writing reports, proposals, or other documents. This business requires minimal capital as it can be started with a smartphone or primary computer with a good internet connection. The key to starting will be creating networks in the academic world, good marketing on social media, and word by mouth by people in your circle.

6. Beauty Products

Starting a small business selling beauty products can be profitable, especially for those interested in the beauty industry. Setting up a shop near busy streets, markets, or beauty salons is ideal. The target market is women who want to look good and care for their skin, hair, and nails. You can sublet space in salons or cosmetics-friendly businesses as you grow your inventory.

7. Poultry Farming

Poultry farming is a low-cost business idea that can be profitable in Kisumu. You can start by purchasing and raising a few chicks until they are mature enough to sell or lay eggs. Your house and feed them locally available feeds and have. This business’s main challenge is chicken disease outbreaks, so have vet advice regularly to help safeguard your brood. The target market? Individuals and companies that require fresh poultry products.

8. Cereals Business 

Any business that sells food always has a high chance of growth for one simple fact. People have to eat daily! Cereals are not perishable, are consumed daily, and only need a little money to start. Your initial stock should have maize, beans, and rice. Once it grows, you diversify to include more cereals as per demand. The best place to station this business is in high-population residential areas, near a posho mill. With the high cost of sifted maize, most are opting to buy maize and mill.

9. Cleaning Services

Starting a cleaning service business can be profitable in Kisumu, especially in busy residential areas. The company requires minimal capital, as it can be created with essential cleaning tools and agents as you upscale. Apart from residential areas/households, the other target market for this is malls, offices, institutions, and anyone who requires cleaning services.

10. Social Media Marketer/Manager

If you have excellent social media skills, you can start a social media management and/or marketing business by offering your services to companies or individuals who require assistance with managing their social media accounts or need to market their products or services. The business requires minimal capital, as it can be started with a smartphone or primary computer, as long as you have a steady, regular internet connection.

The ideas above may be more complex to apply on the ground than they appear on paper. However, they are a great place to start having a vision and sharpening your knack to hack it in the business world with limited capital. Good luck with your endeavors.