Gig economy has grown exponentially over the last few years, opening doors of opportunity for young men and women.

Unlike conventional jobs, remote freelance work allows individuals to diversify their income streams by taking on short-term jobs with some flexibility.

From designers, video editors, and writers to lawyers, financial experts, and delivery riders, the freelance landscape spans nearly every professional industry. But thee booming digital landscape has also caught the attention of online fraudsters. For naive gig workers, a single naïve click can result in devastating financial scams.

According to Grace Mureithi, a remote work expert and Customer Access Director at Co-op Bank’s Jenga Clubs, navigating the gig world requires a balance between seizing opportunities and managing harsh realities, which she describes as “digital dust.”

Spotting Red Flags

Recalling her own experience, Ms. Mureithi warns freelancers about clients who send highly rushed messages like “We need this very urgently” and accept business proposals unusually fast without verifying details.

“The hot client often turns out to be a swindler,” she warns. “That is the reality of remote work. A vague job description combined with an aggressive demand for urgency are classic red flags. A genuine client will always spare the time to provide project details.”

To stay safe, Ms. Mureithi advises gig workers to remember that if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. She recommends setting up “own guardrails,” which include keeping all communications and contracts strictly within dedicated freelance platforms.

During a recent Co-op Bank investment episode broadcasted on YouTube with TV journalist Noah Kipkemboi, Ms. Mureithi pointed out that well known gig work platforms like Upwork and Fiverr remain the safest bet for young men and women. While it is possible to source work through the usual social networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, or X, doing so leaves one far more exposed to fraud since they lack the built-in protections of dedicated gig work firms.

Surviving Gig Economy

Beyond avoiding scams, surviving in the gig economy requires long-term strategic positioning. Ms. Mureithi highlights several key enablers and capabilities that remote workers must build, including robust infrastructure. She says reliable internet, consistent electricity, and an actionable backup plan are basic requirements to ensure uninterrupted delivery.

There is also a need for strategic and targeted pitching. Avoid sending generic, copy-pasted proposals to every potential client. It creates the illusion of productivity while yielding zero long-term results.

Leverage quality work to secure excellent reviews and direct referrals. Freelancers should consistently ask clients for reviews and showcase them to keep their pipeline full.

Additionally, professional portfolio goes a long way. Therefore, show concrete samples of your work upfront so clients do not have to guess your value.

Pricing Matrix

The incentive for international companies to outsource work to an East African country like Kenya may also change something. The cost of business and wages are naturally higher in markets like the United States. But this does not mean Kenyans ought to blindly underprice their work. Underpricing attracts low-quality clients leaving gig workers financially unable to meet milestones.

That is why Kenyan gig workers must build competitive edge pricing by calculating cross-border variables, such as platform service fees and foreign exchange rates. Deciding whether to maintain a USD or Kenya Shilling account is a crucial step in managing this incoming “hard currency.”

Latest Ipsos Gig Economy Report values Kenya’s gig industry at a staggering Sh133 billion, supporting roughly 1.5 million workers, a majority of whom are under the age of 30.

For young people lacking capital, the rapid uptake of local outsourcing by overseas institutions offers direct employment. The scale of the gig work sub-sector cannot be ignored. Success, however, demands accountability.

“You don’t have to have everything figured out,” Ms. Mureithi says. “Remote jobs require strict discipline. You must be self-aware, highly organized, reliable, and capable of managing different time zones. Even if it means starting your workday at 3:00 AM, or 4:00 AM East African Time.”

Embracing Tech Intelligently

Modern tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI) are currently disrupting the gig work ecosystem. While AI is a powerful tool, new gig workers must remember that these tools generally do not understand context. AI should be used strictly as a supportive tool to refine customer work, not as a replacement for human creativity and critical thinking.

Ms. Mureithi, though, believes the blueprint for success in the global gig economy is straightforward.

“Research the platforms, sign contracts, agree to the scope of work and milestones, put in the effort, and get paid,” she says.