For many years, Wanjiku, like many Kenyans, has hustled. As a ”Mama Mboga”, her hustle begins in the morning with a trip to the market for fresh stock for her stall. To stretch her income, she also runs a small “Kibanda” selling fast food with a kiosk in it. Between the three businesses and occasional side hustles her friends introduced her to, she has learnt how to survive.

Wanjiku’s story reflects a reality of Kenya’s economy, where having several side hustles is essential to survive. According to Kenya’s 2025 Economic Survey, more than 80 per cent of Kenya’s workforce is in the informal sector, contributing over a third of the country’s GDP.

Like many, Wanjiku’s 2026 began with a confronting self-reflection question, “Am I really moving forward with all my hustle, or simply surviving?”

According to ABC Bank’s Relationship Manager, Mishel, the signs of outgrowing survival mode include income that feels stretched despite multiple sources, savings that are easily wiped out by unplanned expenses, and constant burnout, which replaces motivation.

While hustle is key, financial stability is required for long-term success. Mishel adds that stability starts with understanding your cash flow (knowing where every coin goes), recognising your financial responsibilities, and using available tools to create predictability. 

Budgeting, structured savings, and access to formal financial services can turn inconsistent earnings into manageable systems. For example, at ABC Bank, a Pure Savers account can help Wanjiku to save for a rainy day while the Target Account can help her save for specific needs like big land purchases, school fees, e.t.c. 

Finally, according to Mishel, “Success in 2026 needs to go beyond how hard we hustle to how effective our efforts translate to progress.” This means having a clear path to your 2026 financial goals and moving deliberately with every coin earned.