Remote work revolution: Kenyan Gen Z more focused on online jobs
By Winnie MabelThe increasing internet penetration in Kenya has transformed the job market, leading to a growing trend of individuals seeking online and remote work opportunities. This shift has enabled Kenyans to access a wider range of jobs, connect with international employers and embrace flexible work arrangements that were previously limited by geographical constraints and the worldwide traditional 9-5 physical working hours.
In recent months, a section of Kenyans- especially the Generation Z- have been actively seeking online jobs as a means of earning a living, driven by the increased cost of living due to heavy government taxation by the Kenya Kwanza government.
In online discussions, there is a prevailing focus on finding remote work opportunities that allow individuals to earn in foreign currency. Many are drawn to the idea of leveraging their writing and proof reading, photography and video production, administrative, and several other software skills to earn higher incomes while working from Kenya and in the comfort of their homes.
This shift in focus reflects a desire for financial independence and a reevaluation of traditional employment models, where the emphasis is often on earning enough to cover expenses rather than building wealth and financial security. As a result, there is a growing interest in remote work as a means to achieve greater financial freedom and independence.
On TikTok in Kenya alone, countless accounts continue to push the remote jobs narrative as several content creators give their testimonies of success in working on various sites and how others can follow suit.
“Have you ever lacked Sh 200 to buy food? Otherwise, you have a computer, a smart phone and other (digital, internet enabled) things but you still lack money to buy food. There are so many jobs online where there are so many jobs such as training artificial intelligence, they tell you to take up to 4 selfies and other small actions then they pay you Sh 300. If you want these jobs, log into LinkedIn and search for remote jobs. They are so many. So guys, lets keep encouraging each other so that people can take up these jobs and not miss out on these small monies or you end up doing hard labor jobs for the same Sh 300 from taking a selfie in 5 different positions,” said TikToker Jackson Muindi.
His post alone garnered thousands of reactions , hundreds of comments and over 1500 bookmarks for later viewing. In his comment section, all people wanted to know was where to find these online jobs and how to go about getting them step by step. One of his followers testified that they had joined one of the online sites Mr Muindi mentioned in his video, Appen, and was paid $8.40 for his effort.
These online sites- where users have to create accounts and list their pricing for their works- include Remotasks, which gained more fame recently when an account holder explained to President William Ruto of his success on the platform in earning roughly Sh 45,000 for handling a task, Euphoreden, Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Rev.com, Grotranscript and TaskRabbit among thousands of other websites popular for online work.
So great is the allure of online remote jobs that some account holders go to the extent of selling their accounts in the event they are handling more than one account at a time and the tasks/jobs overwhelm them because their accounts are top rated on the platforms they use. These accounts don’t sell for cheap.
The dark side of these sales, however, is that some people have been conned into buying problematic accounts which are eventually rendered useless to the new account holder. The sellers end up enjoying soft lives on the backs of others having conned them of a pretty penny, some bagging up to Sh 100,000 per con for these accounts.
Following President Ruto being introduced to Remotask platform earlier this week, a section of Kenyans online regretted the move by the young ICT chap who was doing the explanation, Mr Brian Kipchumba, claiming that the President will now focus his taxation glasses on the platform and several others where one claimed to earn up to Sh 26,000 a week doing online remote jobs and either not having to be taxed or taxed as much as those in formal employment.
Also read: IGAD Kampala meetings: Will Ruto bow to Museveni’s demands?
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