In Kenya you can do business in town or in rural areas. Most people prefer doing business in rural areas because the cost of doing business is low. One of the best businesses at the moment is catering and events management business. You can also do transport business especially through bodaboda.
If you are tired of living in town, move to your rural home and start one of the following businesses:
- Bodaboda business
In most cases, people live far away from town centers. Nowadays they prefer using bodaboda over matatus because they(bodaboda)are faster, cheap and convenient.
The good thing about this business is that you’ll have your own customers who call you from time to time to pick and drop them.
With a capital of Ksh 100,000, you will comfortably run bodaboda business in any rural area.
- Dairy farming
Brookside and KCC are the main companies that will buy milk from you. You can also sell the product to your neighbours. If you manage to keep 10 cows, you will make upwards of Ksh 50,000 per month.
- Computer College
Nowadays having knowledge of computers is essential. Most people in rural areas prefer to enroll for the training before joining various local colleges. The demand for computer studies is high.
If you manage to set up a computer college in a rural town, you’ll make a lot of money.
- Cyber Café
In villages, most people travel long distances to apply for jobs, photocopy and scan documents. Cyber Café business still does better there.
Set up a cyber café near a police station and a school and see how good the business will perform.
- MPESA shop
Those working in town send a lot of money to the village through MPESA, it’s rare to find someone with a bank account. The villages are not crowded with MPESA shops, which is a great opportunity for anyone who intends to start the business.
A capital of Ksh 100,000 is required to start this kind of business
- Bodaboda spare parts business
Another booming business in rural areas is running bodaboda spare parts business. This one will make you a millionaire within a year. If you have over Ksh 500,000, I will gladly encourage you to start this kind of business.
- Own a tractor for ploughing land
Farming is the main economic activity in rural areas. Places like Kisii, Kericho, Central Kenya, Eldoret and other parts of Rift Valley utilize tractors exhaustively. Buy one and you won’t sleep hungry.
The capital needed is about Ksh2 million
- Agrovet business
Agrovet is very important in rural areas because farmers would come to buy drugs and other items needed for farming. This kind of business works perfectly in rural areas especially Nyanza, Western, Rift valley and Central Kenya.
The capital required is as low as Ksh300,000.
- Brick making business
Since most people build their homes with bricks, running brick making business will be profitable. But this one requires someone with enough land with clay soil. Areas like Kisii are good for brick making.
- Posho mill business
People in rural areas don’t buy unga from supermarkets, they take their maize to nearby posh mills. There is no way you’ll lack customers for your posho mill business.
- Chemist
There are very few chemists in villages—you can find only a single chemist in the entire village.
For those with certificates to operate a chemist, grab this wonderful opportunity and make easy money.
- Wines and Spirits shop
Unlike in towns where most people don’t have time for alcohol, in villages majority are idle, they drink alcohol a lot. Wines and Spirits shop will do well especially in crowded places like Kisii.
- General shop
Since supermarkets are few in rural areas, majority of the residents buy their products from general shops. If possible, label it Mini-supermarket and see how people will flock your shop.
- Pool table business
You can also set up pool table business for idle population in villages. Though you won’t make a lot of profit, the money you’ll get will indeed help you to pay school fees and buy one or two items.
- Catering and events management business
People have funeral, wedding and other functions, they need chairs and tent for hire. Nowadays the demand for catering business is also high. Start by buying plastic chairs in thousands and a couple of tents. You will then need some items for cooking meals. I am sure you’ll get orders regularly.
- Barber shop/Salon
Another business that works well in rural areas is a salon or kinyozi. You don’t need an executive Kinyozi, just a simple one with a capital of Ksh 40,000 only. Salon will also do amazingly well. These two won’t disappoint you.
- Poultry farming
Many businesses in towns get kienyeji chicken from rural areas. Specialize in rearing kienyeji chicken only and get a market in Nairobi, Mombasa and other towns like Kisumu. You will earn a lot of money from this business.
- Grow sugarcane
Sugarcane business will also do well in our villages.Nowadays people in towns like Nairobi and Mombasa chew sugarcane a lot.The demand for his product is high.If you have more than half an acre of land, plant sugarcane and get orders from Nairobi and Mombasa.You will be selling each sugaracane at Ksh 40 to Ksh60.One acre will yield more than Ksh 300,000 per year.
- Sell firewood/charcoal
Most people in rural area cook using Jiko or by using firewood. Open a shop for selling these products and see how you’ll make money.
- Tree cutting business with a power saw
Another hotcake business involves tree cutting with a power saw. The demand for power saw is high because timber is needed for construction. Buy as many power saws as possible and employ people to work for you.