Are you tired of buffering videos and dropped video calls? Finding a reliable and fast internet connection in Kenya can feel like a mission, but it doesn’t have to be. I have done the heavy lifting for you by breaking down the top home fiber and mobile internet options. Let’s dive in and find out which provider is the perfect fit for your digital life.
1. The Convenience King: Faiba Mobile 📱
If you’re constantly on the move or don’t need a heavy-duty, fixed connection, Faiba Mobile might be your answer. This provider delivers internet via a MiFi device using affordable data bundles instead of a fixed line.
While the speeds can be inconsistent, ranging from 7 Mbps to 12 Mbps, it’s a perfect option for users who don’t consume a lot of data. You can get 30GB for 1,000 shillings, 15GB for 650 shillings, or 8GB for 300 shillings per week.
However, a word of warning for heavy users: Faiba mobile is quite expensive for tasks like streaming or uploading large files, as data gets used up quickly.
2. The Heavy Hitter: Safaricom Home Internet 🟢
As a giant in the Kenyan telecommunications industry, Safaricom is a popular choice for many households. Their home fiber packages start at 2,250 Kenyan shillings per month for 15 Mbps. You can use this with unlimited devices.
Safaricom also has fiber mobile MiFi service, which is a flexible option but operates on data bundles, not an unlimited plan. This makes it a great choice if you need a reliable connection for a small household or for basic use, but be mindful of your data if you’re a heavy consumer.
3. The Flexible Friend: Konnect Internet 🤝
Looking for a provider that works on your terms? Konnect Internet is a fan favorite, especially for its flexible and affordable packages. I use this provider, and for good reason!
With Konnect, you can opt for a pay-as-you-go model and purchase as little as one hour of internet for just 10 Kenyan shillings. This is a game-changer for people who don’t need a full monthly subscription. In a speed test, Konnect delivered a solid 21 Mbps download and 25 Mbps upload speed, which is more than enough for everyday browsing, streaming, and work.
I pay just 720 Kenyan shillings per month for unlimited usage.
4. The Budget Option (with a Catch): Zuku Home Internet 😬
For those on a tight budget, Zuku offers some of the most competitive prices, with packages starting at 2,799 Kenyan shillings for 10 Mbps. They also offer higher-speed options, going up to 60 Mbps.
However, Zuku has in past had a lot of controversy over their customer service and slow response times to internet outages. So while the prices might be appealing, be prepared for potential service issues if things go wrong.
Final Verdict
Choosing the right internet provider ultimately depends on your needs. For heavy data users, a fixed plan from Safaricom or Konnect might be best. If flexibility and affordability are your top priorities, Konnect Internet is a great choice. And for light users who need a portable connection, Faiba Mobile offers a convenient solution, provided you’re okay with a data-based model.
We hope this breakdown helps you make an informed decision and finally say goodbye to slow internet!
If you need help to produce professional video reviews, let me know here.
Let’s be honest. As a freelancer, what’s the one thing that gives you more stress than a difficult client or a looming deadline? For most of us, it’s taxes.
That dreaded email from the KRA, the confusion around what to pay, and the constant fear of penalties can be overwhelming. It’s especially tough when your income isn’t a fixed monthly salary. One month you’re crushing it, and the next is quiet. How are you supposed to manage your tax obligations with that kind of unpredictability?
Well, what if I told you that you might be leaving money on the table? What if there were simple, 100% legal ways to not just pay your taxes, but to actually save money in the process?
Stop stressing and start saving. Here are three powerful, yet simple, tax strategies every freelancer and small business owner in Kenya needs to know for 2025.
1. Make Withholding Tax Work FOR You
First up is a concept that many freelancers find confusing: Withholding Tax. You might have seen it on a client’s contract—a 5% deduction—but what is it, really?
Think of it like this: Withholding Tax is a client pre-paying a small part of your annual tax bill on your behalf. It’s like a forced savings account specifically for your taxes!
Here’s how it works in simple terms. Let’s say you’re a freelance consultant and you send an invoice for a project worth 100,000 shillings.
When your client pays you, they are required by the KRA to “withhold” 5% of that service fee, which amounts to 5,000 shillings. You receive the remaining 95,000 shillings in your bank account.
But that 5,000 shillings isn’t gone forever. The client remits it directly to the KRA under your KRA PIN. It now sits safely in your KRA account as a tax credit.
So, how does this save you money?
At the end of the year when you file your annual returns, imagine the KRA calculates that your total income tax for the year is 50,000 shillings. Instead of paying the full amount, you get to deduct all the withholding tax credits you’ve accumulated. If you completed ten projects just like the one above, you’d have 50,000 shillings (5,000 x 10) already sitting in your KRA account.
Your tax bill just went from 50,000 down to ZERO.
By operating as a registered business (even a simple Sole Proprietorship), you can turn this tax deduction into a powerful tool for managing your end-of-year tax bill.
2. Turn Your Business Expenses into Tax Savings with VAT
This next strategy is a game-changer, especially if you’re looking to grow your freelance work into a serious business. We’re talking about VAT (Value Added Tax).
Don’t let the term intimidate you. Imagine you have two piggy banks:
Tax Bank #1 is for the VAT you collect from your clients.
Tax Bank #2 is for the VAT you pay on your business expenses.
When you register for VAT, you must add 16% to your invoices. So, if you charge a client 100,000 shillings, you actually invoice them for 116,000 shillings. That extra 16,000 goes into Piggy Bank #1. It’s not your money—you’re just holding it for the KRA.
Here’s the magic part.
Whenever you buy something for your business—a new laptop, an internet subscription, software, or even office supplies—you also pay 16% VAT. That amount goes into Tax Bank #2.
At the end of the month, the KRA asks for the money in Piggy Bank #1. But you get to say, “Hold on! I can subtract everything that’s in Tax Bank #2 first.”
For example:
You collected 32,000 Ksh in VAT from your clients this month (Tax Bank #1).
However, you bought a new office chair and paid 5,000 Ksh in VAT. You also paid for software and paid 3,000 Ksh in VAT. In total, you paid 8,000 Ksh in VAT on your expenses (Tax Bank #2).
So, the amount you actually remit to the KRA is 32,000 minus 8,000, which equals 24,000 shillings.
You just saved 8,000 shillings! You’re essentially getting a discount on all your legitimate business purchases, which encourages you to reinvest in your own growth. Just remember to always get a proper ETR receipt with your business KRA PIN on it to make a claim.
3. The Easiest Money You’ll Ever Save
This last one isn’t a fancy loophole. It’s the most simple, most overlooked way to save money, and it costs you nothing but a bit of discipline: File your taxes on time.
Seriously.
The KRA charges fixed penalties for late filing that can add up quickly.
For an individual or a sole proprietorship, it’s Ksh. 2,000.
For a registered company, it’s Ksh. 10,000.
That’s money you are literally throwing away for no reason. Think about it—saving Ksh. 2,000 is just as good as earning an extra Ksh. 2,000.
Set a reminder on your phone. Put a big red circle on your calendar for June 30th. Do whatever it takes to file on time, even if you have zero income to declare for the year. Avoiding that penalty is the easiest profit you’ll make all year.
Taxes don’t have to be a source of stress. When you understand the system, you can make it work for you.
For more expert tips on freelance, media, tech, and business, make sure to follow me on all social media platforms @cheptionymutai. Let’s level up together!
And if you need video production consultancy services, you can reach out to me here.
As a content creator and media consultant, I’ve harnessed technology and AI to fuel my personal and professional growth, turning my expertise into multiple income streams. Here are five powerful ways I’ve used these tools to build my brand, streamline processes, and boost revenue through my platform, cheptiony.com, while optimizing for SEO to reach a wider audience.
Technology has been the backbone of my personal brand at cheptiony.com. By creating a professional website, I’ve established myself as an expert in freelancing and business consultancy, sharing actionable insights and experiences.
This digital presence has opened doors to a lucrative niche: helping international clients register and operate businesses in Kenya. My website, optimized with SEO best practices like keyword-rich content and fast loading speeds, attracts organic traffic, converting visitors into clients for my consultancy services. This has become a steady income stream while strengthening my online authority.
2. Streamlining Content Creation with AI
AI has revolutionized my content production process, saving time and boosting quality. Tools like ElevenLabs provide human-like voiceovers for videos, while AI-powered platforms generate scripts, images, background music, and even full videos.
By automating these tasks, I produce high-quality YouTube videos, podcasts, and blog posts faster, allowing me to focus on strategy and engagement. This efficiency has scaled my content output, driving more traffic to cheptiony.com and increasing ad revenue and sponsorship opportunities.
3. Designing Graphics for Profit with AI
AI tools have unlocked new revenue streams by enabling me to create and sell stunning graphics. From photobooks and invitation cards to flyers and social media posts, AI-driven design platforms help me produce professional-grade visuals quickly.
These products are sold to clients offline in the local marketplaces, adding a passive income stream. By creating quality work, clients are confident to recommend me to their friends and families.
4. Brainstorming Content Ideas with AI
AI is my go-to for brainstorming fresh ideas for blog posts and YouTube videos. By inputting prompts into AI tools, I generate creative topics that resonate with my audience, from freelancing tips to business growth strategies.
This ensures my content stays relevant and engaging, driving consistent traffic to my platforms. SEO-optimized titles and descriptions, informed by AI-driven keyword research, help my content rank higher on Google and YouTube, expanding my reach and monetization potential.
5. Writing Articles and Books with AI Assistance
AI has transformed my writing process, helping me expand ideas into well-structured articles and books. By using AI prompts, I generate outlines, refine drafts, and ensure my content is clear and engaging.
This has enabled me to publish blog posts on cheptiony.com and work on e-books, which I sell or use as lead magnets to grow my consultancy business. SEO-friendly formatting, such as using headers, bullet points, and relevant keywords, ensures my written content ranks well and attracts readers.
Conclusion
Technology and AI have been game-changers in my journey as a content creator and media consultant. From building a professional website to streamlining content creation, designing profitable graphics, brainstorming ideas, and writing articles, these tools have helped me grow my brand and diversify my income.
By integrating SEO strategies, I’ve maximized my online visibility, ensuring my content and services reach the right audience. Embracing these technologies has not only boosted my productivity but also opened new doors for financial success.
Looking for help to create and produce AI assisted video content? I can help you out. Write to me here and we will kickstart the process from there.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You’ve poured your hard-earned money into paid marketing, meticulously crafted campaigns, and then… crickets. Or worse, the results are trickling in slower than molasses in winter.
When your paid advertising isn’t delivering the desired returns, it’s easy to feel deflated, demotivated, and ready to throw in the towel. But before you do, let’s talk about some effective strategies to rekindle that motivation and turn things around.
When your paid marketing isn’t performing, the first instinct might be to double down, spend more, or frantically tweak everything. Resist that urge! Sometimes, the best strategy is to take a temporary break from focusing on paid advertising. This isn’t about giving up; it’s about hitting the pause button to breathe, analyze, and regroup.
Think of it like this: if your car is sputtering, you wouldn’t just press the accelerator harder. You’d pull over, pop the hood, and figure out what’s going on. The same applies to your marketing.
While you’re stepping back from paid ads, don’t just sit idle. Keep your regular, organic marketing efforts going strong. This includes your content marketing, social media presence, SEO optimization, and any community engagement you’re doing. These foundational efforts are crucial for maintaining brand visibility and nurturing your audience, even when your paid channels are on standby.
This break allows you to clear your head, reduce the immediate pressure of ad spend, and create space for new ideas to emerge. It’s a strategic retreat, not a surrender.
Become a Marketing Detective: Research and Innovate
Once you’ve taken a breather, it’s time to put on your detective hat and research new marketing approaches to try. The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and what worked yesterday might not be as effective today. This is an opportunity to explore uncharted territory for your business.
Start by checking what other successful businesses in your niche are doing. Don’t copy them outright, but analyze their strategies.
What kind of content are they producing?
Which platforms are they active on?
Are they using different ad formats or messaging?
What unique value propositions are they highlighting?
Look beyond your direct competitors too. Sometimes, the most innovative ideas come from industries seemingly unrelated to yours. Explore emerging trends like influencer marketing, interactive content, niche communities, or even new social media platforms.
Consider running small, experimental campaigns with new approaches. The key here is to test, learn, and iterate. Not every new idea will be a home run, but you’ll gain valuable insights into what resonates with your audience and what doesn’t. This research phase is about expanding your toolkit and discovering fresh avenues to connect with potential customers.
Establish Authority: Write a Book and Master Email Marketing
One powerful way to pivot when paid ads falter is to establish yourself as an undeniable expert in your niche. And what better way to do that than by writing a book?
Imagine having a tangible asset that positions you as a thought leader. This book should be directly related to your niche, offering valuable insights, solutions, or practical advice. It doesn’t have to be a sprawling epic; a well-researched and concise e-book can be incredibly effective.
Once your book is ready, you can use it as a cornerstone for promoting your business through email marketing. Here’s how:
Lead Magnet: Offer a chapter or a condensed version of your book for free in exchange for email sign-ups. This builds your email list with genuinely interested prospects.
Exclusive Content: Use your book as a basis for exclusive email content, expanding on topics or offering behind-the-scenes insights.
Direct Sales: If your book is paid, promote it directly to your email subscribers, showcasing the value it provides.
Webinars and Workshops: Use the book’s content to host webinars or online workshops, further engaging your audience and driving sales of your products/services.
A well-crafted book not only enhances your credibility but also provides a powerful, evergreen tool for nurturing leads and building a loyal community around your brand. It’s a long-term play that pays dividends far beyond the immediate return of a paid ad campaign.
Diversify Your Revenue: Invest in Software Solutions
When you’re struggling with ad returns, it might seem counterintuitive to suggest investing more money. However, considering investing in software solutions related to your products and services can be a game-changer for two key reasons:
Enhance Your Offering: The right software can streamline your operations, improve the quality of your products or services, or even create entirely new features for your customers. For example, if you offer marketing consultancy, investing in advanced analytics software can allow you to provide deeper, more valuable insights to your clients.
Create a New Stream of Income: This is where it gets exciting! Can you license the software? Become an affiliate for it? Or perhaps, if you develop a custom solution for your own business, could you white-label it and sell it to others in your niche?
Imagine you run a digital marketing agency, and you’ve invested in a fantastic project management tool that significantly boosts your team’s efficiency. You could then offer that specific tool, perhaps with your branding, to other agencies or businesses struggling with similar organizational challenges. This transforms an operational cost into a potential profit center.
This approach requires careful consideration and research to identify software that genuinely adds value and has a market for resale or licensing. But if done strategically, it can provide a much-needed financial boost and reduce your sole reliance on direct client acquisition through advertising.
Go Direct: Explore Traditional Channels
In our increasingly digital world, it’s easy to forget about the power of direct marketing channels. When your online ads aren’t cutting it, sometimes the best solution is to go back to basics and explore opportunities like:
Responding to Tenders, Prequalifications, RFQs (Request for Quotations), and RFPs (Request for Proposals): Many businesses and government entities issue these formal requests when they need specific products or services. While the process can be rigorous, securing a tender or a direct contract can provide a significant, stable revenue stream. This often involves detailed proposals, demonstrating your capabilities, and meeting specific criteria.
Consultancy Calls: Proactively reaching out to potential clients who you know could benefit from your expertise, even if they haven’t explicitly asked for it, can lead to new business. This might involve cold calling (yes, it still works for some!), personalized emails, or leveraging your network for introductions. The key here is to offer genuine value upfront and be prepared to articulate how you can solve their specific problems.
These direct channels often involve a more personalized and often longer sales cycle, but they can yield higher-value clients and more substantial contracts. They also build stronger, more direct relationships, which can lead to repeat business and referrals – something that’s harder to achieve with purely transactional paid advertising. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted proposal and a direct conversation.
Conclusion
It’s completely normal to feel demotivated when your paid marketing efforts aren’t yielding the desired results. But remember, setbacks are just opportunities for a pivot. By taking a strategic break, diving into research, establishing your expertise through a book, exploring new income streams with software, and embracing direct marketing, you’re not just surviving; you’re building a more resilient, diversified, and sustainable business.
Don’t let a temporary dip in ad performance define your entire marketing strategy. Instead, see it as an invitation to innovate, explore, and ultimately, come out stronger. Keep pushing forward, keep learning, and your efforts will undoubtedly bear fruit.
What new strategy are you most excited to try first? Let me know in the comments section below.
And if you need media services like video production, writing, graphics designs and more, contact me here.
The freelance landscape is shifting dramatically, especially for content creation service providers. With the rapid advancement of AI tools, the once lucrative fields of article writing, image generation, and graphic design are experiencing unprecedented disruption. Everyone, from individual entrepreneurs to small businesses, can now leverage AI to produce high-quality content, making it increasingly challenging for freelancers to secure well-paying gigs.
So, how do you not just survive but thrive as a freelancer when fewer companies are hiring for content marketing tasks? More importantly, how can you build a sustainable business model that generates income even when you’re busy, or during those inevitable low seasons?
This isn’t just a question; it’s a critical challenge every freelancer must address. The market is inherently volatile, and clients are constantly seeking the most affordable options. Landing a long-term client who provides consistent work feels like a rare blessing.
Given this new reality, let’s explore actionable strategies for content creation and marketing freelancers to build a resilient and sustainable business.
Diversify Your Income: Sustainable Streams for Freelancers
To achieve consistent income, consider building these assets and revenue channels:
1. Leverage the Power of a YouTube Channel
Many freelancers view YouTube solely as a platform for direct client acquisition, overlooking its vast potential for diversified income. Beyond showcasing your portfolio and attracting new clients, YouTube now offers multiple monetization avenues for content creators:
Direct Monetization: Earn through ad revenue once you meet the eligibility criteria.
Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive content or perks to paying subscribers.
Super Thanks, Super Chats, Super Stickers: Allow viewers to show appreciation with monetary contributions during live streams or on uploaded videos.
Product Sales: Directly promote and sell your own digital products (e-books, templates, courses) or physical merchandise.
Beyond YouTube’s internal monetization, your videos serve as powerful marketing tools. By consistently sharing valuable content related to your expertise, you naturally attract viewers who might eventually become clients, reaching out for your professional video production or content creation services.
2. Build Passive Income Through Blogging & Mobile App Development
Harness AI to accelerate your content creation process, but don’t stop there.
Blogging: Launch a blog focused on your niche. Write engaging, high-quality articles, using AI as an assistant for research, outlining, and drafting. Integrate Google AdSense to monetize your traffic. While achieving significant ad revenue isn’t instant, consistency, SEO optimization, and continuous content refinement are key to success.
Mobile App Development: If you have an idea for a useful tool or game, leverage AI-powered development platforms or AI assistance in coding to bring your app to life. Enroll in AdMob to display ads within your app and generate passive revenue from downloads and usage.
These ventures require initial effort but can yield long-term, passive income streams that are less dependent on direct client work.
3. Establish and Actively Promote Your Service Website
Having a professional website to showcase your services is non-negotiable, but it’s only the first step. A website without promotion is like a shop without a sign.
SEO Optimization: Ensure your website is optimized for search engines so potential clients can find you.
Content Marketing: Regularly publish blog posts, case studies, and portfolio pieces that demonstrate your expertise.
Social Media Marketing: Actively promote your services and content across relevant social media platforms.
Networking: Engage with your target audience and other professionals in your industry.
Consistent and strategic promotion is the only way to attract serious clients actively seeking your services, transforming your website from a mere online brochure into a powerful lead-generation machine.
4. Explore E-commerce Opportunities
Do you have a passion for selling? E-commerce offers another avenue for sustainable income.
Create Your Own Products: Develop and sell digital products (e.g., premium content templates, niche-specific guides, online courses) or physical products related to your content creation expertise.
Resell Products/Services: Consider drop shipping or affiliate marketing, where you promote and sell products created by others, earning a commission.
Building an e-commerce business requires dedication to marketing and customer service, but it can provide a scalable income stream that operates independently of your direct freelance services.
Conclusion: Adapt, Diversify, and Thrive
The freelance world is undoubtedly evolving, with AI tools reshaping traditional service offerings. However, this evolution doesn’t signal the end of freelancing; rather, it calls for adaptation and innovation.
By diversifying your income streams through platforms like YouTube, building passive assets like blogs and mobile apps, actively promoting your services, and exploring e-commerce, you can build a robust and sustainable freelance business.
The key is to think beyond the immediate gig and cultivate multiple revenue channels that can support you during lean times and provide financial stability. Embrace AI not as a competitor, but as a powerful tool to enhance your efficiency and unlock new opportunities.
What other strategies are you employing to build passive income online? Share your insights in the comments section below!
Need help creating professional video content or refining your content strategy? Let’s connect here! You can also support my work by exploring my services here.
The winds of change are blowing through YouTube’s Partner Program—and creators across the globe are about to feel the breeze. In a move that seems aimed at empowering smaller channels while tightening the screws on content quality, YouTube is lowering the threshold for monetization, but with a few new strings attached.
Previously, aspiring creators had to hit 1,000 subscribers and rack up 4,000 public watch hours within 12 months to apply for monetization.
Now, YouTube is opening the gates wider. Channels can now apply once they reach 500 subscribers, three public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in a year or 3 million Shorts views over 90 days.
That’s a huge win for up-and-coming creators, especially those focused on Shorts—the platform’s TikTok-style video format. It acknowledges the evolving ways people consume content and offers a more realistic path to monetization for today’s creators.
💳 But Here’s the Catch…
With easier access comes increased responsibility. YouTube is cracking down on what’s acceptable monetized content. Channels that consistently violate its ad-friendly guidelines may face demonetization or be denied access to the program altogether.
So while you might get in the door sooner, staying inside will take more diligence—especially as YouTube continues to protect advertisers’ interests.
🚀 Why It Matters
This change could redefine what it means to be a YouTuber in 2025 and beyond. Small creators finally have a tangible shot at turning their passion into profit. But more importantly, it’s a reminder that quality, consistency, and community-building still reign supreme in the world of content creation.
So, whether you’re uploading your first gameplay reel or already riding the Shorts algorithm wave, now might be the perfect time to level up.
And that’s it. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.
If you need help to produce quality videos, let me know here.
This comprehensive tutorial reveals three quick and easy ways to capture your screen, whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the Windows environment. Learn the best methods for taking screenshots for work, gaming, or personal use.
By the end of this video, you’ll be a screenshot master on Windows 2025! Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more tips and tricks to enhance your digital life.
Ever thought about diving into the world of cabbage farming? It can be an incredibly rewarding venture, but as I recently learned, it also comes with its fair share of surprises and tough lessons. This past July 2024, I decided to invest some timber sale profits into something new: cabbage farming here in Kenya. Let me tell you, it was quite the adventure!
Cabbages seedlings on a nursery seedbed – Photo Cheptiony Mutai
Choosing the Right Seeds: A Crucial First Step
My wife and I kicked off our journey by researching on the best cabbage seedlings. The general consensus among experienced farmers pointed us towards ‘F1’ seedlings for optimal results.
It turns out, the best F1 variety really depends on your specific region in Kenya. For instance, ‘Gloria F1’ is a popular choice for highland areas like my home in the Southern Rift Valley. We also discovered ‘Baraka F1’ and ‘Greenboy F1’ as other promising varieties from different companies that thrive in similar conditions.
From Seedbed to Field: The Transplanting Challenge
For our first batch, we purchased 50g sachets of both Gloria F1 and Queen F1 seeds. We carefully sowed them in a nursery seedbed, letting them grow for 30 days before transplanting. The companies claimed each 50g sachet contained roughly 10,000 seedlings, enough to plant an acre, depending on your spacing (an acre can typically hold 10,000 to 20,000 seedlings). Based on this, we estimated we had about 20,000 seeds, enough for 1.5 of our 2 acres.
Gloria F1 and Queen F1 Cabbage seedling after transplanting -Photo By Cheptiony Mutai
However, reality hit during transplanting! We only managed to plant around 8,000 seedlings – that’s all that germinated. This covered just half an acre.
It makes you wonder, right? Did we really lose 12,000 seeds, or are the manufacturers’ claims a bit optimistic? This is a question I’d love to hear your thoughts on in the comments below, especially if you’re a regular cabbage farmer! Many in my area report similar experiences with fewer seedlings than expected.
More Seeds, More Land: A Glimmer of Hope
Undeterred, we dipped back into our pockets and bought more seedlings, this time opting for Greenboy F1 and Baraka F1. We sowed them in the seedbed, and thankfully, these varieties did much better than Gloria F1. When they were ready, we transplanted them, and this time, we managed to plant almost another acre! We were so motivated, especially seeing how well Greenboy performed compared to the others.
Greenboy F1 and Baraka F1 showed better results when compared to Gloria f1 – Photo By Cheptiony Mutai
I distinctly remember planting these seedlings in mid-October, a time when rainfall was quite low. Despite the harsh weather, Greenboy surprisingly held up remarkably well! By the end of this phase, we had planted about 1.5 acres, leaving just 0.5 acres to go. At this point, we had approximately 21,000 cabbage plants in the ground.
The First Harvest: A Taste of Disappointment
As we contemplated getting seeds for the remaining plot, our first batch of cabbages was ready for market. Unfortunately, only Gloria F1 looked good. We lost about 60% of our Queen F1 crop due to stunted growth; they simply didn’t mature and remained small with unhealthy leaves.
Gloria F1 and Queen F1 in the third month – photo By Cheptiony Mutai
While searching for buyers for our ready cabbages, I also went looking for seeds for the last section of the farm. Since Greenboy F1, which had done so well, wasn’t available, I decided to purchase another 100g of Gloria F1. This was early November, and the rainfall was still inconsistent. My farm worker had to diligently sprinkle water on the seedbeds to keep the young plants alive.
The Cabbage Market Crisis: A Hard Fall
Typically, cabbage buyers visit farms looking for crops. For weeks, I spoke to numerous potential buyers for our first 0.5 acres of mature cabbages, but not a single one came through. It was incredibly disheartening. I kept pushing, hoping to find a buyer for the rest of our cabbages. In the end, in December, I had to sell them at a throwaway price of Ksh. 6,000 to a neighbor for cattle feed.
Just imagine, if I had sold 5,000 cabbages (accounting for some that didn’t mature from the initial 8,000) at Ksh. 20 each, I would have made Ksh. 100,000. Ouch!
Second Batch and Continued Challenges (January-February)
My hope was that January to March, usually a dry season in most parts of Kenya, would bring a good market. I had about 12,000 cabbages ready to sell during this period. However, I soon discovered there was an oversupply of cabbages, leading to consistently low demand.
Matured Greenboy F1 cabbage heads ready for market. – Photo By Cheptiony Mutai
By the end of February, I managed to sell only about 2,000 cabbages at Ksh. 7 each, bringing in Ksh. 14,000. The remaining were sold in smaller batches for Ksh. 5 each, adding another Ksh. 3,000, for a total of Ksh. 17,000.
The Final Stretch (The Last 0.5 Acres)
The seeds for the final 0.5 acres were ready in January, but the weather was still dry with no signs of rain. Despite this, I went ahead and planted them. A week later, I had to spend Ksh. 1,000 every four days just to sprinkle water on them. After three rounds of watering, it finally rained! About half of these cabbages matured well, while the rest were affected by the dry spell. When they finally matured in April, the market was still poor. I ended up selling cabbages worth only Ksh. 3,000. Another loss.
The Financial Reality: Expenses vs. Sales
Let’s break down the numbers.
Total Sales: Ksh. 26,000
Total Expenses:
Land preparation: Ksh. 8,000
Labor (planting): Ksh. 10,000
Fertilizer: Ksh. 10,000
F1 seeds (300g): Ksh. 24,610
Weeding: Ksh. 6,000
Insecticides: Ksh. 2,000
Total Expenses: Ksh. 60,610
Net Loss: Ksh. 34,610
Rotten cabbages in the farm after failing to secure market for them – Photo By Cheptiony Mutai
What Could Have Been: Projected Profits
If everything had gone perfectly and the market was strong, what kind of returns could we have seen? For two acres, you can typically harvest between 30,000 and 40,000 cabbages.
Let’s say we managed 30,000 cabbages and sold them at a wholesale price of Ksh. 20 each. That would have brought in a whopping Ksh. 600,000! Subtracting our Ksh. 60,610 in expenses, we would have made a profit of Ksh. 539,000. That’s roughly ten times the amount invested in raw materials! A stark contrast to my actual experience.
Key Lessons Learned from My Cabbage Farming Experience
It’s certainly discouraging to face losses, especially when the market is the primary issue. However, I truly believe that firsthand experience trumps hearsay any day. Here are my biggest takeaways:
Mindset is Everything in Farming: You absolutely won’t succeed if you’re not mentally prepared for both profits and losses. Whichever comes your way, you need to be ready to learn from it and move forward.
Capital is King: Ensure you have sufficient capital for your intended farming land. Buyers often look for large quantities of cabbages to fill a lorry, and if you have less, they might simply move on.
Market Research is Non-Negotiable: Before you even think about investing, do your homework! If possible, start looking for buyers yourself when your cabbages are nearing maturity. This proactive approach prevents you from holding onto your harvest, desperately waiting for a better price.
Sell at the Current Market Price: Don’t hold out hoping for a higher offer. In farming, delays can cost you everything. Selling at the current market rate, even if it’s not ideal, is often better than losing your entire crop.
Wrapping Up My Farming Tale
This journey has been a tough but invaluable teacher, filled with unexpected turns and a few financial bumps. While the losses were certainly disheartening, the hands-on experience and the profound lessons learned are truly priceless.
I hope sharing my real-world insights into cabbage farming in Kenya helps aspiring farmers better navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that come with agricultural ventures. Remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback, and the knowledge gained is always a step forward!
What do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
And if you need help with content creation or blog writing, contact me here. You can always count on us for consistency and quality.
Does AI simplify video creation? Many clients seeking creative services believe it should, expecting lower prices as a result. This creates a significant disconnect, as their cost expectations often don’t align with the time and effort truly involved, especially when aiming for high-quality, AI-assisted output.
What’s often overlooked is that AI, while powerful, isn’t a magical button that instantly translates a script into a perfect video. Achieving the desired outcome with AI currently requires extensive prompt engineering and fine-tuning to make the video look realistic.
Furthermore, many advanced AI features come with subscription costs that should be factored into the client’s budget, not solely borne by the creator.
In this article, I’ll address the false assumptions about how AI affects video production expenses.
Misconception 1: You Should Charge Me Half The Price Because You Are Using AI
This common misconception stems from a misunderstanding of how AI integrates into video production. As a professional, it’s crucial to clearly outline where AI contributes and how it impacts pricing. For example, AI can significantly streamline the creation of a script, voiceovers, and background music, potentially allowing for cost reductions in these specific areas.
However, once you move into the video editing and visual assembly phase, the value of human expertise becomes paramount. Clients need to understand the distinction between AI-generated assets and the nuanced, often iterative process of human editing.
To navigate this, consider itemizing your quotes. Clearly separate the costs for AI-assisted elements versus human-intensive tasks. Better yet, employing an hourly rate often proves to be the fairest approach.
This way, if a client initially opts for a more AI-driven video but then decides they prefer human-edited refinements or a complete shift away from AI-generated visuals, they’ll understand the increased cost reflects the additional time and specialized skill involved.
This transparency manages expectations and ensures you’re compensated fairly for all your efforts.
Misconception 2: Its Easy to Create Videos With The Help of AI. Anyone Can Do it.
While it’s true that even basic prompts on premium AI video editors can generate video quickly, this simplicity comes with significant drawbacks. The core issue is that the assets and templates used in your video are often generic and widely available, meaning your content risks looking identical to others.
Over time, you’ll likely encounter videos similar to your own, which dilutes your unique brand or message.
Moreover, relying solely on AI output often means you’ll have to learn video editingyourself to truly customize the video. Tasks like adjusting audio levels for a voiceover or fine-tuning transitions require human intervention to achieve a polished, professional look.
You might end up spending more time refining AI’s raw output than if you’d engaged a professional from the start, effectively wasting time to save a small amount of money.
Beyond technical tweaks, successful video creation demands creativity. If you lack a creative eye, your AI-generated videos might feel generic, uninspired, and frankly, inhuman.
An experienced video producer brings years of creative insight, ensuring your project stands out and connects with your audience in a meaningful way. So, while AI handles the prompts, human creativity and expertise are essential for crafting truly unique and engaging content.
Misconception 3: Quantity, Not Quality, Matters.
While it might seem tempting to churn out a high volume of videos with AI, this approach often overlooks the critical role of brand identity.
How do you want your audience to perceive you?
Strong brands are recognized by consistent elements like specific colors, fonts, and a unique voice. Unless your AI tool allows for precise adherence to your brand guidelines, you risk ending up with a chaotic mix of styles that confuses your audience and dilutes your identity.
Focusing purely on quantity over quality means your brand’s voice and visual identity will likely be inconsistent, making it hard for people to recognize and connect with your content.
A professional video producer, on the other hand, prioritizes aligning your videos with your company’s mission and vision, meticulously adhering to brand guidelines during editing.
Once that strong, recognizable brand identity is established—where people can instantly identify your videos—then you can strategically scale up your content quantity. Building a high-value brand takes significant effort and a clear perception of how you want to be seen, not just a high volume of generic videos.
Conclusion – Debunking AI Video Production Myths
As we’ve explored, the world of AI-assisted video production is ripe with misconceptions. It’s clear that the belief you should charge half-price because you’re using AI often overlooks the nuanced skill and time involved in prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and integrating AI output with human expertise.
Similarly, the idea that it’s easy for anyone to create quality videos with AI dismisses the critical need for creative vision, brand consistency, and often, additional human editing to achieve professional results.
Finally, prioritizing quantity over quality with AI can dilute your brand identity and fail to resonate with your audience.
While AI is a powerful tool, it’s an accelerator for skilled creators, not a magic wand that eliminates the need for human input, creativity, and strategic thinking.
Understanding these distinctions is key to setting realistic expectations and valuing the blend of technology and talent that truly delivers impactful video content.
Do you have other misconceptions about the cost of AI assisted video production? We’d love to hear them! Please share them in the comments section below.
If you’re looking for professional AI-assisted video production services, contact me here.
You can also follow me on social media @cheptionymutai for more insights and updates.
In Kenya, individuals and business owners typically file two main types of tax returns: Income Tax and VAT (Value Added Tax). Income Tax returns are filed annually and are mandatory for all taxpayers. VAT, on the other hand, is declared monthly and is only compulsory for businesses with an annual turnover exceeding KES 5 million; otherwise, registration is voluntary.
In this article, I’ll explain two expensive mistakes every taxpayer should avoid when filing their returns.
Counter Check The Type of Withholding Tax Client Has Withheld
When a company engages your services, they are often required to withhold tax from your payment. This typically includes both VAT and income tax, depending on the invoice you’ve issued. It’s crucial to pay close attention to these withholdings.
Be careful: some clients might mistakenly withhold 2% VAT even if you haven’t charged them VAT on your invoice. You’ll receive an email notification each time they declare this withholding. It’s crucial to cross-check these notifications immediately. If they’ve withheld 2% VAT but should have instead withheld 5% income tax, KRA will assume you did charge VAT. This could lead to KRA expecting you to pay the 14% difference between the actual VAT rate and the incorrect 2% withheld.
Failure to declare this monthly incurs a penalty of KES 10,000. Neglecting this obligation can lead to prolonged resolution efforts and prevent you from obtaining a Tax Compliance Certificate.
A crucial point to remember is that if a client withholds VAT from you when you aren’t registered for VAT obligations, it can lead to significant issues. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will likely forcefully add the VAT obligation to your account, compelling you to declare the return regardless
It’s crucial to consistently verify the accuracy of any withholding tax declared by clients on transactions you’ve completed. This proactive step helps ensure everything is correctly accounted for.
Expense Data in The Profit Loss Page
For income tax filers, particularly consultants, freelancers, and sole proprietors, the profit and loss account section on the second page of the income tax return excel sheet requires meticulous attention. Errors in data entry here can lead to significant issues.
When classifying expenses for individuals paid daily or per job, who are not permanent employees, the most accurate categorization is often Direct Wages or Contract Labor/Freelance Fees.
While “salaries and wages” typically refers to permanent employees, and “direct expenses” is a broader term, “direct wages” specifically applies when these payments are directly tied to the production of goods or services.
If they are providing services that aren’t directly part of your core product/service creation (e.g., a one-off IT fix), “contract labor” or “freelance fees” might be more appropriate.
It’s crucial to distinguish these from regular salaries and wages for tax and accounting purposes.
If you employ permanent staff in Kenya, you are required to register for P.A.Y.E (Pay As You Earn). This system mandates that you deduct income tax directly from your employees’ earnings and remit these amounts to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
It’s important to note that the PAYE rates starts from 10% for every KES 24,000 and only applies to the first KES 24,000 of monthly taxable income (or KES 288,000 annually). KRA utilizes a graduated tax scale, meaning different portions of an employee’s income are taxed at varying rates, ranging from 10% to 35%. Additionally, a monthly personal tax relief of KES 2,400 is also applied.
For accurate calculations, you’ll need to refer to the latest KRA PAYE tax bands and rates, which are subject to changes based on the Finance Act.
It’s therefore crucial to correctly categorize expenses, especially when it comes to salaries and wages. If your company doesn’t have employees, avoid listing expenses under “salaries and wages.”
Instead, these should be recorded under direct expenses (direct wages). This accurate classification will prevent issues and ensure a smoother process if the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) audits your tax return.
Get A Professional With Accounting Background to Assist
For those new to income tax filing, don’t hesitate to visit your local KRA office where you can get direct assistance with your return.
If you have numerous transactions, it’s highly advisable to consult a professional accountant to assist with your tax filings. While there’s a fee involved, their expertise can save you a significant amount of time and eliminate potential headaches.
Conclusion
We all learn from our mistakes, and when it comes to tax returns, some lessons can be quite expensive. I’ve identified two common and costly errors that taxpayers frequently make. Failing to avoid these can lead to the denial of a Tax Compliance Certificate, a document often required by businesses and organizations before considering you for work.
And that is it from me here. Are there any other costly mistakes that people should watch out for? let me know in the comments section below.
If you need content creation and content marketing services, do not hesitate to reach out to me here.
