Master These Technical Skills in Kenya and Build Your Own Future: Phone Repair, Computer Troubleshooting, Basic Wiring & Electronics Installation in 2026

In a country where youth unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges, thousands of young Kenyans are quietly rewriting their story — not by waiting for white-collar jobs, but by picking up screwdrivers, multimeters, and soldering irons.

Phone repair shops are multiplying in every market and estate, computer troubleshooting experts are earning steady income fixing laptops for students and small businesses, basic electrical wiring knowledge is turning young people into trusted installers of solar panels, CCTV cameras, inverters, and home lighting, and electronics installation has become a full profession for those who master sound systems, projectors, smart home devices, and security alarms.

These are not “small” skills anymore. They are real, bankable trades that create employment for the technician and often grow into profitable businesses that employ others.

Why These Four Skills Are Especially Powerful Right Now

1. Phone Repair
   Kenya has over 65 million mobile connections. Screens crack, batteries swell, charging ports fail, water damage happens — every day. A competent technician can charge KSh 1,500–8,000 per repair depending on the model and fault.
2. Computer Troubleshooting & Basic Repair
   Schools, small offices, cyber cafés, M-PESA agents, and remote workers all rely on laptops and desktops. Fixing software issues, upgrading RAM/SSD, replacing keyboards, cleaning dust, recovering data — these services are in constant demand.
3. Basic Wiring & Electrical Installation
   From solar home systems and inverter setups to CCTV camera wiring, LED lighting installations, socket extensions, and generator hook-ups — skilled hands are needed everywhere, especially as more homes and businesses go solar or add backup power.
4. Electronics Installation (Sound, Projectors, Security, Smart Devices)
   Churches, event planners, schools, offices, and homeowners are investing in projectors, PA systems, conference room AV, CCTV, smart bulbs, doorbells, and home theatre setups. Installation + configuration pays well and creates repeat customers.

These skills share one beautiful advantage: low startup capital + high daily demand + ability to scale into a full business.

Realistic Paths to Learn These Skills in Kenya

You don’t need a university degree. Most successful technicians started with short, practical training.

Best places to learn in 2026:

• Ramsis Technical Training Institute (Nairobi) — Very popular for phone & laptop repair (3–6 months courses).
• Sensei Institute of Technology — Strong programs in phone repair, computer hardware, basic electronics, and solar installation.
• VisualDo Institute — Excellent for mobile phone & computer repair + short courses in CCTV & solar.
• Inceptor Institute — Mobile phone & laptop repair, CCTV installation, basic wiring.
• Local vocational centres & polytechnics — Many counties have government-supported programs in electrical installation and electronics.
• Apprenticeships — Join an established repair shop in CBD (Tom Mboya, Biashara, Moi Avenue) or estate — many pay small stipend while you learn.
• Online + hands-on combo — YouTube channels (KTechOnline, TechKenya, Phone Repair Guru) + buy cheap broken phones/laptops to practice.

Typical course fees: KSh 15,000–45,000 for 3–6 month programs (some allow instalments).

Minimum Tools to Start Small (Realistic 2026 Prices)

Phone & Laptop Repair Starter Kit (~KSh 25,000–60,000)

• Precision screwdriver set (Jakemy/JIS) → KSh 2,000–5,000
• Suction cup, spudgers, pry tools → KSh 1,500–3,000
• Heat gun or hot plate → KSh 3,000–8,000
• Soldering station + solder wire → KSh 4,000–10,000
• Multimeter → KSh 1,500–4,000
• Magnifying lamp + helping hands → KSh 2,000–5,000
• Screen/laptop opening tools + ESD mat → KSh 3,000–8,000

Basic Wiring & Installation Starter Kit (~KSh 15,000–40,000)

• Multimeter + voltage tester → KSh 2,000–6,000
• Crimping tool + cable stripper → KSh 2,000–5,000
• Screwdriver & plier set → KSh 2,000–4,000
• Cable tester (network & electrical) → KSh 2,500–6,000
• Drill + bits → KSh 5,000–12,000

Start with phones/laptops (highest daily demand), then expand into CCTV, solar, sound systems.

How These Skills Create Employment & Entrepreneurship

• Self-employment — Charge KSh 1,000–6,000 per phone repair, KSh 2,000–10,000 per laptop fix, KSh 5,000–25,000 per CCTV/home theatre install.
• Hiring others — Once busy, employ apprentices (pay stipend + train them) → grow into a proper shop.
• Specialization → Become known as “the iPhone guy”, “the solar installer in Rongai”, or “the church sound system expert” → word-of-mouth fills your schedule.
• Side income → Many start part-time while in college or employed, then go full-time.

Real stories: Technicians who began in a bedsitter with KSh 30,000 worth of tools now run shops employing 3–5 people, some even train others for a fee.

Final Motivation – Your First Step Today

You don’t need permission, a degree, or KSh 500,000 to begin.

Pick one skill → watch free YouTube tutorials → save KSh 20,000–50,000 → buy basic tools → practice on broken/borrowed devices → offer low-cost services to friends/family/neighbours → post before/after photos on WhatsApp status and Facebook → charge fair prices → reinvest profits.

Every master technician in Kenya today started exactly like that.

The country needs people who can fix things — not just use them. You can be one of them.

Which skill are you leaning toward — phone repair, laptop troubleshooting, wiring, or full electronics installation? Drop it in the comments and let’s encourage each other to start. Your future workshop is waiting. 🛠️🇰🇪

NOMA NTV THURSDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2026 FULL EPISODE