The Untapped Goldmine: Starting an Airbnb Co-Host or Management Business in Kenya

💭Ever walked into a perfectly styled Airbnb and thought, “Wow, I could do this!”?

Well, you can — without even owning a house.

As the short-term rental industry booms in Kenya (especially in cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Naivasha), many Airbnb property owners are struggling to manage the day-to-day demands: guest communication, cleaning, check-ins, laundry, restocking… and the list goes on.

That’s where Airbnb co-hosts and management service providers come in — and you could be one of them.

What Exactly Does a Co-Host Do?

Imagine being the go-to person for an Airbnb host who’s either too busy, out of town, or simply wants a stress-free life. As a co-host, you help run the property like it’s your own — from coordinating bookings, guest check-ins, cleaning schedules, to making sure the towels smell like vanilla and the WiFi always works.

Some co-hosts also offer value-added services like:

• Guest welcome kits or local experience guides
• Deep cleaning and linen management
• Minor repairs and emergency support
• Managing pricing and calendar availability

Some even go further to create digital manuals, branded guest experiences, or manage online reviews and guest feedback.

Why This Works (Especially in Kenya)

Let’s say Brian owns a 2-bedroom Airbnb in Kilimani, but he also works full-time in Eldoret. Every time a guest checks in or out, he has to call someone, coordinate cleaners, and pray that nothing breaks during the stay.

You come in as a co-host, take over the routine management, and earn 10–30% of each booking — without ever owning the apartment.

With Nairobi alone having over 6,000 active Airbnb listings, and many owners operating remotely or as side hustles, this is a massive opportunity waiting to be tapped.

Add in areas like Diani, Nanyuki, Nakuru, and Kisii where property is growing — and the demand for smart, reliable co-hosts is only going up.

Current Trends in the Airbnb Business (Kenya & Globally)

Staying ahead means knowing where the industry is headed. Here are some trends influencing the short-term rental landscape today:

🔹 Staycations and Domestic Tourism: Post-pandemic, more Kenyans are traveling locally. Short weekend getaways and affordable countryside homes are gaining popularity.

🔹 Work-from-Airbnb: With hybrid work growing, guests are booking Airbnbs for 1–3 weeks as remote working spots. Properties with fast Wi-Fi, desks, and quiet surroundings are winning.

🔹 Themed and Instagrammable Stays: People don’t just book beds — they book experiences. Units designed with bold color palettes, local art, or Boho/chic interiors are in demand.

🔹 Self-Check-In Tech: Key safes, smart locks, and digital guides are becoming standard. Many guests prefer contactless check-in options.

🔹 Pet-Friendly Listings: More Kenyans are traveling with pets. Allowing pets (and charging a cleaning fee) gives you a competitive edge.

🔹 Eco-Friendly Hosting: Hosts are leaning toward eco-conscious branding — water-saving fixtures, refillable toiletries, and plastic-free homes. It attracts younger, conscious guests.

🔹 Airbnb for Events: Some hosts are listing larger houses or villas for photoshoots, proposals, small celebrations, or content creation — priced as day-use packages.

🔹 Local Experiences & Upsells: Guests love local add-ons. As a co-host, you can offer:

• Home-cooked meals
• Maasai market tours
• Bike rentals
• Grocery pre-stocking services

How Much You Need to Start

Unlike traditional businesses, this one doesn’t need a shop or inventory. With as little as Ksh 5,000 – Ksh 10,000, you can launch by investing in:

You can start with one Airbnb, prove your reliability, and grow via referrals. Within 3–6 months, many co-hosts manage 5–10 properties, earning between Ksh 30,000 – 120,000+ monthly.

Want to go even further? You can offer:

• Airport pickups (partner with drivers)
• Local tours (build packages)
• Birthday or anniversary room setups (Ksh 2,000–5,000 premium add-on)

How PESABOOK Becomes Your Secret Weapon

Let’s be honest — managing multiple homes, payments, suppliers, and guest check-ins can become chaotic.

That’s where PESABOOK steps in.

Here’s how it simplifies your new business:

Track income per property – Log what you earned from Brian’s Kilimani unit vs. Susan’s Karen apartment. You can even generate daily, weekly, or monthly reports to show hosts.

Monitor expenses per job – Whether it’s detergent, electricity tokens, or laundry, PESABOOK helps you track each cost — so you know your true profit.

Invoice and bill hosts easily – Create invoices for your services and get paid fast. No more chasing payments with random texts.

Send automated SMS reminders – Want to upsell restocking or deep cleaning? Use PESABOOK to send SMS updates to property owners or even past guests.

Manage your team – If you scale up with cleaners or support staff, use PESABOOK to assign jobs, track payouts, and calculate commissions — all in one place.

Client history tracking – Keep tabs on how often each property books, which services are most popular, and who your best paying clients are.

Data-driven decisions – Use PESABOOK’s insights to see which homes are most profitable, which cleaners are most efficient, and when to raise your rates.

Real Talk: What a Day Might Look Like

7:00 AM: You confirm that the cleaner is en route to the Kileleshwa unit.
8:30 AM: Using PESABOOK, you mark the cost of transport and cleaning items.
10:00 AM: A new guest checks in — you WhatsApp them a digital welcome guide.
12:00 PM: You send a quick invoice to the host for weekend cleaning and key drop-off.
3:00 PM: You inspect a new apartment in South C and pitch your services.
5:00 PM: You use PESABOOK to generate a daily income/expense summary across all 4 properties you manage.

Efficiency meets professionalism.

Final Thoughts

If you’re organized, polite, reliable, and have an eye for detail, this is your chance to tap into one of Kenya’s fastest-growing digital service businesses — with almost zero overhead.

This is perfect for:

• University students with flexible hours
• Stay-at-home parents
• Former hospitality staff
• Anyone looking for low-cost, high-potential side hustles

Start small. Track everything. Grow big. Let PESABOOK do the heavy lifting behind the scenes.