By Tobias Ogutu
When we graduated from university in 2017, my friend David Onyango had already accepted a reality many young Kenyans were facing: formal jobs were hard to find. Like many graduates, he was willing to pursue any opportunity that could provide an income.
While I joined a friend in videography and photography, David ventured into a different world. He spent most of his days asleep and worked throughout the night. I knew he was completing assignments for students abroad, but I did not fully understand how the system worked. It was only later that I realized David was part of Kenya’s growing gig economy.
Gig workers include ride-hailing drivers, delivery couriers, content creators, virtual assistants, freelancers and data annotators. Although they contribute significantly to the economy, their experiences often remain hidden from public view.
Research by Siasa Place shows that many gig workers are young people seeking alternatives to limited employment opportunities. A large number are graduates who initially view gig work as temporary but end up staying in the sector much longer than expected. Nearly a decade after graduation, David is still working as a freelancer.
Gig workers generally fall into two categories. The first consists of online-based workers such as freelancers, virtual assistants, content creators and data annotators. The second includes location-based workers such as ride-hailing drivers, delivery couriers and tuk-tuk operators. Both groups rely heavily on internet connectivity to receive assignments and communicate with clients or platforms.
As a result, gig work is concentrated in urban and peri-urban areas where internet access is more reliable. Cities such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa and Eldoret have become important centers of digital labour. In David’s case, access to a strong internet connection influenced his decision to relocate to a different neighborhood in Kisumu.
Online-based workers provide services ranging from academic writing and graphic design to software development and social media management. Most work remotely using computers or smartphones and often serve international clients through digital platforms.
David explained how his work operates.
“I bought a writing account called Writer’s Bay. Clients post jobs and you have to stay alert, especially at night, to bid for them. Once you complete the work, it goes through an editorial review before it reaches the client. If the client is satisfied, the task is approved. If not, it is returned for revision.”
His experience highlights a defining feature of platform work: workers rarely interact directly with the clients who benefit from their labour. Instead, digital platforms act as intermediaries. I often joke that David works for a ghost because he hardly ever sees the people who determine his earnings.
Location-based gig workers face a different reality. Ride-hailing drivers working for services such as Uber, Bolt and Little Cab interact with customers daily, while delivery couriers transport food, medicines and parcels across cities and towns. Yet despite these differences, both online and location-based workers share one challenge: they must remain constantly available to secure work.
A respondent in the Siasa Place study captured this reality by observing that workers have shifted from “8-to-5” employment to being available “24/7.” David’s long nights at the computer reflect this pressure.
Kenya’s relatively strong internet infrastructure, widespread use of English and growing digital literacy have contributed to the rapid expansion of gig work. These factors have positioned the country as an attractive destination for digital labour and outsourcing opportunities.
Both men and women participate in the gig economy, although their experiences often differ. Many women prefer online-based work because it offers greater flexibility and fewer safety concerns than location-based jobs. Female ride-hailing drivers, for example, may avoid working at night due to security risks.
However, online work does not eliminate all challenges. David’s girlfriend, Rehema, also works as a freelancer. Despite contributing to household income, she continues to shoulder most domestic responsibilities. Her experience reflects the reality faced by many women who must balance paid digital work with unpaid household labour.
Income remains one of the most unpredictable aspects of gig work. Earnings are influenced by worker ratings, availability, client demand and platform algorithms. In most cases, workers have little power to negotiate prices.
David described the limitations of the system.
“Sometimes, customer care simply tells you that the client is willing to pay a certain amount. You either accept it or leave it.”
The lack of transparency can be frustrating. Workers are often denied direct contact with clients, making it difficult to negotiate better rates or build long-term professional relationships.
Although the sector continues to grow, gig workers face numerous challenges. Many lack representation through unions or professional associations capable of protecting them from exploitation. Others encounter delayed payments, unfair account suspensions and sudden loss of income.
David recalled waking up one morning to discover that his account had been suspended without explanation. For the duration of the suspension, he had no source of income.
Like many freelancers, he also experiences seasonal fluctuations. During peak periods, assignments are plentiful and earnings improve significantly. During slow periods, work becomes scarce and financial pressure increases.
To cope with these uncertainties, many gig workers have formed savings groups, SACCOs and online communities. These networks provide financial support, facilitate knowledge sharing and help members identify fraudulent clients.
David once completed a project for a direct client who disappeared without making payment. Since then, he has relied on WhatsApp groups and fellow freelancers to verify clients before accepting assignments.
Another major challenge is the lack of social protection. Unlike workers in formal employment, gig workers are generally responsible for their own healthcare, insurance and retirement savings. They must also cover work-related expenses such as internet subscriptions, electricity bills, fuel and vehicle maintenance.
When David falls ill, he pays for treatment from his own pocket. There is no employer-sponsored medical cover, paid leave or pension scheme waiting for him. For many gig workers, this insecurity is simply part of the job.
Yet despite these challenges, gig work is likely to remain an important part of Kenya’s employment landscape. Recognizing this reality, the government has introduced initiatives such as the AJIRA Digital Program to equip young people with digital skills and connect them to online opportunities.
However, training alone is not enough. Policymakers must also listen to workers and address the gaps that continue to expose them to economic vulnerability.
Nearly a decade after graduation, David is still searching for the stability that gig work promised but has never fully delivered. His story mirrors the experiences of thousands of Kenyan workers whose labour powers the digital economy while remaining largely unseen. As the sector continues to grow, so too must efforts to ensure that the people behind the platforms receive recognition, fair treatment and meaningful social protection.
