Earning with Food Delivery gigs

Earn on Your Bike or Car Around

The digital revolution has transformed how Kenyans access services, and food delivery is at the forefront of this change. With the rise of apps like Glovo, Uber Eats, Jumia Food, and Bolt Food, a significant gig economy has emerged, offering flexible earning opportunities for students with a bike or scooter.

For Kenyan students, food delivery gigs are an ideal side hustle. They offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to earn money around your classes, assignments, and social life. Whether you need to cover tuition fees, rent, or daily expenses, delivering food can provide a consistent income stream.

Why Food Delivery Gigs are Great for Kenyan Students

Flexible Hours: You choose when you work. Log in during peak hours (lunch, dinner, weekends) or whenever you have free time. Perfect for fitting around a university schedule.
Low Barrier to Entry: The requirements are generally straightforward, especially if you have a bike or scooter.
Immediate Earnings: Most platforms offer weekly payouts directly to M-Pesa or bank accounts.
Physical Activity: If you’re on a bicycle, it’s a great way to stay active and get paid for it.
Knowledge of Your Area: You’ll become intimately familiar with local streets, shortcuts, and popular eateries around your campus and town.
Independence: You’re your own boss, managing your time and deliveries.

Key Food Delivery Platforms in Kenya

The major players in Kenya’s food delivery scene are:

Glovo: One of the most popular multi-service platforms in Kenya, offering food, groceries, and courier services. Available in major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
Uber Eats: Well-established, familiar to users of Uber’s ride services, and features major food franchises.
Jumia Food: A strong contender, often running promotions and discounts, with a wide restaurant selection.
Bolt Food: Known for its competitive pricing and often offers bonuses during busy hours.

There are also newer players and specialized services, including those utilizing electric bikes like eBee Africa and eWAKA Mobility, which are gaining traction for their sustainability and lower running costs.

How to Get Started as a Food Delivery Rider in Kenya

The process is generally similar across platforms:

1. Meet the Basic Requirements

Age: Be at least 18 years old (some platforms might require 23+ for motorbikes).
Identification: Valid National ID (and potentially a valid work permit if not Kenyan).
Smartphone: An Android (typically 9.0+) or iOS (typically 12+) smartphone with a local number and internet access. The rider app is essential for receiving, managing, and tracking orders.
Vehicle:
- Bicycle: No license required. Good for short distances, especially around campus or congested areas.
- Scooter/Motorbike: Requires a valid motorcycle driver’s license (Class A1, A2, or B depending on engine size) and potentially valid insurance.
- Car: Also an option for some platforms, but less common for quick food deliveries in busy urban areas.
Clean Criminal Record: Most platforms will require a Certificate of Good Conduct or a background check.
Bank Account: For receiving payouts. An M-Pesa account linked to your ID is usually sufficient for local payouts.

2. Sign Up Online

Visit the website or download the rider app for your chosen platform(s) (e.g., Glovo Courier, Uber Eats Driver, Bolt Food Courier, Jumia Food Rider).
Complete the application form with your personal details and vehicle information.
Upload scanned copies of your required documents (ID, license, etc.).

3. Complete Onboarding/Training

Some platforms might require you to attend a short in-person or online onboarding session. This covers how to use the app, safety guidelines, and customer service expectations.
You’ll typically receive a branded delivery bag (and sometimes a uniform/jacket).

4. Get Ready to Deliver!

Log In: Open the app and go “online” when you’re ready to accept orders.
Accept Orders: The app will notify you of new delivery requests, showing the restaurant location, customer’s location, and estimated earnings.
Pick Up: Navigate to the restaurant, confirm the order, and pick up the food.
Deliver: Navigate to the customer’s address, deliver the food, and mark the order as complete in the app.
Track Earnings: The app will show your earnings in real-time.

Earnings Potential & How to Maximize It

Earnings vary significantly based on the platform, your vehicle, the number of hours you work, and peak demand.

Per Delivery Rate: Platforms pay a base fee per delivery, which can increase with distance.
Bonuses & Incentives: Companies often offer bonuses for completing a certain number of deliveries in a specific timeframe, delivering during peak hours (e.g., lunch, dinner, weekends), or for difficult deliveries.
Tips: Customers can tip you directly through the app or in cash. Good customer service (friendly attitude, fast delivery) increases your chances of getting tips.
Referral Bonuses: Refer new riders and earn a bonus if they complete a certain number of deliveries.

Estimated Earnings (Highly Variable):

Daily earnings can range from KES 1,000 to KES 3,500+ depending on hours worked, location, and demand.
Monthly income for full-time riders can be KES 30,000 to KES 60,000+, but for students working part-time, it will be less.

Tips for Maximizing Earnings as a Student:

Work Peak Hours: Lunch (12 PM – 2 PM) and dinner (6 PM – 9 PM) are generally the busiest and often have higher demand/bonuses. Weekends are also lucrative.
Know Your City/Campus Area: Be familiar with shortcuts, traffic patterns, and common restaurant/dorm locations to optimize your routes and delivery speed. Google Maps is your friend, but local knowledge is better.
Maintain Good Ratings: Excellent customer service (politeness, punctuality, food handled carefully) leads to good ratings, which can help you get more orders and tips.
Accept Multiple Orders: If a platform allows, accept stacked orders (multiple deliveries from the same area) to maximize efficiency and earnings per trip.
Be Prepared:
- Reliable Vehicle: Ensure your bike or scooter is in good working condition. Regular maintenance is key to avoid breakdowns.
- Power Bank: Your phone battery will drain quickly with GPS and the app running.
- Weather Gear: Be prepared for rain (raincoat, waterproof phone pouch).
- Safety Gear: Helmet, reflective vest (especially for night deliveries).
Communicate: If there’s a delay, inform the customer and the restaurant. Good communication can prevent negative ratings.
Choose Your “Zone”: Work in areas with a high density of restaurants and customers (e.g., around universities, commercial centers, residential estates with many apartments).
Sign Up for Multiple Platforms: This allows you to compare offers and switch to the busiest app, increasing your chances of continuous orders.

Payment & Financial Management

M-Pesa Payouts: Most platforms directly support weekly payouts to your registered M-Pesa number. Confirm this during sign-up.
Tracking Earnings: All apps have an in-built feature to track your daily and weekly earnings, including bonuses and tips.
Budgeting: Manage your earnings well. Factor in fuel/charging costs (for scooters/e-bikes), maintenance, and data.

Legal & Safety Considerations for Kenyan Riders

Road Safety: Be extremely vigilant on Kenyan roads. Always wear a helmet, follow traffic rules, and drive/ride defensively.
Insurance: If you’re on a motorbike, ensure you have valid insurance. Some platforms might offer their own accident insurance for riders.
KRA PIN & Tax: Income earned from food delivery is taxable. Obtain a KRA PIN and declare your earnings as a sole proprietor.
Certificate of Good Conduct: This is a standard requirement for most gig economy jobs in Kenya.

Food delivery gigs offer a practical and immediate way for Kenyan students to supplement their income, gain real-world experience, and contribute to the growing digital economy. It’s a hustle that requires discipline and smart navigation, but the rewards of flexible income and independence make it a highly appealing option.