November 6, 2025

How to Make Money as an Online Tutor in Kenya – Beginner’s Guide

There you are, scrolling through online tutoring job listings again.

Same old story. “3+ years experience required.” “Bachelor’s degree mandatory.” “Come to our Nairobi office 5 days a week.”

Meanwhile, your electricity bill is due, your phone needs airtime, and your side hustle isn’t hustling.

Here’s the truth nobody’s telling you: You’re sitting on a goldmine. That math knowledge? That English fluency? That ability to explain things until they click? People will pay you money for that. Real money. In dollars. While you sit in your house in Nakuru, Kisumu, or right here in Nairobi.

The global online tutoring market hit $9.5 billion in 2025 and is expected to explode to $24.8 billion by 2032. Kenya is riding this wave hard.

The online learning platforms market in Kenya is projected to grow by 20.66% through 2029, reaching $174.80 million.

But here’s where most Kenyans get stuck: “Where do I even start?” “Do I need a teaching degree?” “Will this actually pay my bills?” “Isn’t this just another online scam?”

I get it.

The internet is full of promises and zero paychecks.

But online tutoring in Kenya?

This one’s real.

This one pays.

And I’m about to show you exactly how to become an online tutor in Kenya—no BS, no fluff, just the steps that work.

TL;DR: The Fast Track to Online Tutoring in Kenya

Don’t have time to read 1,800 words? Here’s your cheat sheet:

What you need: Decent English/subject knowledge + smartphone/laptop + internet connection
No degree required for most platforms (Cambly, Preply)
Time investment: 30 minutes to set up, 2-4 hours daily to earn
Realistic earnings: KES 1,500–3,000/hour (KES 30,000–200,000/month)
Top platforms: Preply (set your own rates), Cambly (easiest entry), Upwork (higher pay but competitive)
Get paid via: PayPal, Safaricom M-Pesa (some platforms), bank transfer
Equipment needed: Computer/smartphone, webcam, headset, stable internet
Best subjects: English, Math, Science, Coding—but ANY subject works if you know it well

This works. Kenyans are already making KES 100,000+ monthly from their bedrooms. Your turn starts now.

Here’s how to make money as an online tutor in Kenya.

Step 1: Pick Your Subject (The One You Actually Know)

Stop overthinking this.

You don’t need a PhD. You don’t need 10 years teaching experience. You need one thing you know better than most people.

Hot subjects right now:

English (MASSIVE demand—everyone globally wants to learn)
Math (parents worldwide pay premium for math tutors)
Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Computer skills (Coding, Excel, basic tech)
IELTS/TOEFL prep (test preparation pays well)

But here’s the move: Don’t fake expertise. If you’re solid at Math up to Form 2 level, start there. Online tutoring platforms allow you to choose your subjects and grade levels, focusing on areas where you excel. Be honest about your level. Students smell BS from a kilometer away.

Action item: Write down 3 subjects you could explain to a confused Form 1 student right now. That’s your starting point.

Time investment: 5 minutes.

Step 2: Get Your Tech Right (Don’t Overthink This Part)

Here’s what you actually need for online tutoring requirements Kenya:

Minimum setup:

Smartphone (any Android/iPhone with 4G) OR basic laptop
Headset with microphone (KES 500–2,000)
Stable internet connection with download speed of at least 10 mbps and upload speed of 3 mbps
Webcam (most laptops have built-in)
Quiet space for 1-2 hours

That’s it. You don’t need a fancy office. You don’t need a KES 100,000 computer. Your bedroom works. Your local cyber café works if your home internet is shaky.

Real cost: KES 1,000–5,000 if you’re starting from scratch. Less if you already have a phone and earphones.

For teaching software, platforms like Zoom and Google Classroom are free and easy to use. Most platforms have built-in video systems anyway.

Pro tip: Safaricom or Airtel data bundles cost KES 50–100 daily—enough for 2-3 one-hour lessons. Do the math: spend KES 100 on data, earn KES 3,000–6,000. That’s a 30x return.

Time investment: 1 hour to set up and test everything.

Step 3: Join the Right Online Tutoring Platforms in Kenya (This Is Where Money Happens)

Forget scams.

These platforms actually pay:

Best Online Tutoring Sites for Kenyans:

1. Preply (My top pick for Kenyans)

Why it’s good: Preply lets tutors set their own hourly rate and availability. You control your pricing.
Pay range: $2–$40/hour (KES 260–5,200/hour)
Requirements: No degree needed but helps
How to join: Create profile at Preply.com, upload intro video, get approved
Payment: PayPal or bank transfer

2. Cambly (Easiest to start)

Why it’s good: No teaching certificate, bachelor’s degree, or prior teaching experience needed
Pay: $0.17 per minute for adults ($10.20/hour), $0.20 per minute for kids ($12/hour)
Requirements: Native English speaker (or very fluent), 18+ years old
How to join: Sign up at Cambly.com, record 2-minute intro video
Payment: Weekly via PayPal or direct deposit

3. Tutor.com

Why it’s good: Steady flow of students, no marketing needed
Pay: $10–$40/hour depending on subject
Requirements: Subject expertise, pass subject test
Best for: Math, Science, English

4. Upwork (Higher pay but more competitive)

Why it’s good: Successful Kenyan freelancers on Upwork report monthly earnings of KES 30,000 to KES 200,000
Pay: You set rates (KES 1,500–5,000+/hour typical for tutoring)
Requirements: Strong profile, compete for jobs
How to join: Create freelancer profile, bid on tutoring gigs

5. Fiverr (Package your tutoring as “gigs”)

Why it’s good: Kenyan Fiverr sellers earn between KES 20,000 and KES 150,000 monthly
Pay: Set your own prices (start at $5–$50 per session)
Best for: Specific skills like “I’ll teach you Python basics” or “IELTS prep”

6. Local online tutoring platforms:

Teach Me 2 (Kenya-focused)
Elimu Plus (Tutors earn 60% of total tuition)
Balozy (connects tutors with local students)

Pro move: Join 2-3 platforms. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your income streams.

Time investment: 1–2 hours to sign up on each platform.

Step 4: Build a Profile That Converts (Your Digital Storefront)

Your profile is your sales page.

Teaching experience is helpful but not required—many platforms provide training and resources.

Here’s what makes students click “Book This Tutor”:

Profile photo:

Clear face shot
Smile (friendly beats professional here)
Good lighting
Plain background

Intro video (CRITICAL):

1-3 minutes max—speak clearly and slowly since prospective students will watch
Talk about what you teach and why you love it
Show personality (students want humans, not robots)
Don’t read from a script—speak naturally
Mention you’re available for flexible hours

Written bio:

Start with your expertise: “I help Form 3 students ace their Math exams”
Add personal touch: “I struggled with algebra too until I learned this…”
List what you cover
End with availability

Set competitive rates:

New tutors: Start at KES 1,500–2,000/hour
After 10+ good reviews: Bump to KES 2,500–3,500/hour
Experienced (50+ hours): KES 4,000–6,000+/hour

Tutors can earn between KES 1,500 to KES 3,000 per hour on average. As you gain experience, you control pricing.

Time investment: 2–3 hours to create a killer profile.

Step 5: Get Your First Student (Break the Zero Barrier)

The hardest part?

Getting that first booking. Once you have one student, momentum builds.

Tactics that work:

1. Price yourself low initially. Start at KES 1,000–1,500/hour for your first 5 students. Yes, it’s below market. That’s the point. You’re buying reviews and experience. After 5 students, raise rates immediately.

2. Offer free trial (15 minutes). Some platforms allow this. Give prospects a taste. If you’re good, they’ll book.

3. Be hyper-available. 55% of online tutoring sessions are booked during evening hours (6 pm–10 pm). Be online when students are looking.

4. Respond FAST. First tutor to reply often gets the booking. Check messages every 2–3 hours.

5. Over-deliver on session 1. Send practice materials after. Follow up. Make them feel like they got 10x value. They’ll book again AND refer friends.

Techstore check: Your first student might take 1–3 weeks to land. Don’t quit. Every successful Kenyan tutor started at zero bookings.

Time investment: Ongoing—1–2 hours daily managing inquiries.

Step 6: Teach Well (Or They Won’t Come Back)

Let’s be real: If you suck at teaching, this won’t work. But teaching online in Kenya isn’t rocket science. Here’s the formula:

Before the lesson:

Ask what they’re struggling with
Prepare examples
Test your tech (camera, mic, internet)

During the lesson:

Start with small talk (builds rapport)
Ask questions (don’t just lecture)
Use screen sharing for visual explanations
Go slow—confused students don’t rebook
Check understanding every 10 minutes: “Make sense so far?”

After the lesson:

Send summary notes or practice problems
Ask for feedback
Schedule next session

Tools that help:

Zoom: Free video calls
Google Classroom: Share materials
WhatsApp: Easy communication with Kenyan students (accepts M-Pesa too for local students)

Pro tip: Over 80% of students seek online tutoring to improve grades. Focus on results. Help them actually get better, not just “feel” like they learned.

Time investment: 2–4 hours daily once you have regular students.

Step 7: Scale Your Income (From Side Hustle to Full-Time)

You’ve got 1–2 students. Now multiply.

Month 1–2: Build foundation

Goal: 5–10 students, 10–15 hours/week
Expected: KES 30,000–60,000/month
Focus: Getting reviews, improving teaching

Month 3–6: Scale up

Goal: 15–20 students, 20–30 hours/week
Expected: KES 100,000–150,000/month
Focus: Raise rates, specialize, get referrals

Month 6+: Full-time potential

Goal: 25+ regular students, 30–40 hours/week
Expected: KES 200,000–400,000+/month
Focus: Premium pricing, group classes, create courses

The math: Teaching 4–5 hours daily at KES 2,500/hour = KES 10,000–12,500 per day. That’s KES 250,000–300,000/month working 20 days.

Advanced moves:

Group classes: Teach 5 students at once, charge each KES 800 = KES 4,000/hour
Recorded courses: Create once, sell forever
Specialize: “The KCSE Math Guy” > “General Tutor”

Payment logistics:

International platforms typically pay via PayPal
Transfer PayPal to your Kenyan bank or M-Pesa
M-Pesa integration makes payments seamless for local students

Time investment: Ongoing—scale at your pace.

Will This Work for YOU?

This works if:

You actually know your subject
You can explain things clearly
You show up consistently
You’re patient with tech issues
You treat it like a real job, not a lottery ticket

This won’t work if:

You expect instant millions (it’s work, not magic)
You quit after 2 weeks because you don’t have 50 students yet
Your internet is constantly down and you don’t fix it
You’re rude to students or don’t prepare

Common obstacles and solutions:

“My English isn’t perfect” → You don’t need to be native or have perfect English for many platforms. Clear communication beats perfect grammar. Start with Kenyan students if you’re nervous.

“I don’t have a degree” → Platforms like Cambly don’t require degrees or teaching certificates. Your knowledge and ability to teach matter more.

“Internet is expensive” → One 1-hour lesson pays for a week of data bundles. The ROI is insane.

“I’m scared of video calls” → Practice with friends first. Record yourself teaching. Awkward for 3 days, then normal.

Need Better Tech? We’ve Got You Covered

Look, I won’t sugarcoat it: A reliable laptop makes online tutoring 10x easier than juggling everything on a phone. Better webcam = better impression = more bookings = more money.

If you’re serious about scaling your tutoring income, check out affordable laptops and tech gear at Techstore Kenya. They’ve got everything from budget-friendly laptops perfect for video calls to quality headsets that make you sound professional—all at prices that won’t destroy your first month’s earnings.

Smart investment: Spend KES 25,000–40,000 on decent equipment, earn it back in your second month, then it’s pure profit. Do the math.

Your Next 48 Hours: The Action Plan

Enough reading. Time to move.

Today (30 minutes):

Pick your subject
List 3 things you can teach
Download Zoom and test it

Tomorrow (2 hours):

Sign up on Preply OR Cambly
Record your intro video (do 5 takes, use the best one)
Complete your profile

Day 3 (1 hour):

Join Upwork and Fiverr
Set your rates
Turn on “Available Now” status

Week 1:

Apply to 10 tutoring gigs on Upwork
Respond to any inquiries within 2 hours
Prepare lesson plans for your subjects

Week 2–4:

Land first student (celebrate this!)
Over-deliver
Ask for review
Use that review to get 2nd student

Month 2:

Have 5–10 regular students
Bank your first KES 50,000–100,000
Realize this actually works

Final Word: This Is Your Way Out

I’ve shown you the roadmap. Kenya’s digital economy is growing rapidly, supported by infrastructure investments and government commitment to digital literacy. The online tutoring industry is projected to grow at 14.6% annually, and Kenyans are perfectly positioned to capture this opportunity.

You’ve got everything you need:

The knowledge (your education wasn’t wasted)
The tools (smartphone + internet)
The platforms (Preply, Cambly, Upwork waiting for you)
The demand (millions of students globally need tutors)

The only thing missing? You actually starting.

How to become an online tutor in Kenya isn’t complicated. It’s not easy—nothing worthwhile is—but it’s simple:

Pick your subject
Set up your tech
Join platforms
Build a solid profile
Get your first student
Teach well
Scale up

Stop waiting for permission. Stop waiting for the “perfect” moment. The perfect moment is now, with your imperfect English, your budget smartphone, and your bedroom that doubles as an office.

Thousands of Kenyans are already doing this. They’re earning in dollars while sitting in Kisumu, Eldoret, and Mombasa. They started exactly where you are right now—zero students, lots of doubts.

The difference between you and them? They started.

Your turn.

Questions? Drop them in the comments. Already tutoring online? Share your wins (or struggles) below. Let’s build this together.