KenyaOnAShoeString: Real Advice for Real Kenyans

We are surrounded by wealth. Expensive cars on the road, packed cafes with KES 1,200 bills for chips, chicken and a drink, yoga and Pilates studios charging KES 30,000/month for 12 sessions, iPhones and high-end Samsung's on every table, people going on holiday every few months, apartments going for KES 22 million plastered across billboards — and somehow, everyone seems to be affording it. And yet, if you're earning over KES 100,000/month, statistically, you're in the top 2% of Kenyan earners. You're doing everything right: budgeting, saving, avoiding debt, maybe even running a side hustle. But at the end of the month, you feel broke. You feel stuck. You feel like you can't move forward. This article explores the observed reality vs the lived reality . We peel back the image of wealth that surrounds us to show what life really looks like for salaried Kenyans earning "well." Through three detailed profiles, we break down exactly where the money goes — an...

Many Kenyans are caught in the cycle of low wages, high expenses, and family obligations that never seem to end. Whether you’re a waiter, waitress, cook, shamba boy, security guard, housekeeper, boda boda rider, or driver, the reality is that making a comfortable living in Kenya on a low salary is an uphill battle. But while the system may not be in your favor, there are practical ways to navigate these challenges and build a better future. Here’s how: 1. Fair Wages: How to Ask for More Without Getting Fired Research industry pay standards before accepting a job. Talk to colleagues and check online groups. Don’t be afraid to ask for a pay raise if your responsibilities increase. Extra duties should come with extra pay! If your employer claims they can’t raise your salary, negotiate for other benefits like meals, transport allowances, or off days. Learn a critical skill that makes you indispensable. If you’re a cook, become the only one who can make the most requested dish. If you’re a ...

Domestic work is one of the most common yet undervalued professions in Kenya. Many households employ domestic workers, but their salaries often range from KES 5,000 to KES 15,000, with anything above KES 10,000 considered a ‘good wage’—when in reality, it isn’t. Many live with their employers, cutting down on expenses like rent and transport, but that doesn’t mean they have disposable income. Many also face ‘black tax’—having to financially support family members back home. The Reality of Domestic Work in Kenya Domestic workers are busy in the mornings and evenings when children are going to school or returning home, but they often have free time in the afternoons. Unfortunately, many spend these hours watching Nigerian movies, TikTok videos, or engaging in gossip with fellow housemaids. While rest is important, this free time could also be used to improve their financial situation and personal growth. You Are Not Part of the Family – Maintain Professional Boundaries One of the biggest...