The Best Online Marketplace in Kenya for Used Items: How Sanalist Compares to Jiji, OLX, PigiaMe & Facebook Marketplace

Over the last few years, Kenyans have fully embraced buying and selling online. Platforms like Jiji Kenya, PigiaMe Kenya, the old OLX Kenya, and Facebook Marketplace Kenya have become household names. Every day, thousands of people search for used items in Kenya, from used phones and used laptops to second hand furniture in Nairobi.

If you run a Kenyan listing platform like Sanalist, this is the perfect time to tap into this demand and offer buyers and sellers a safer, easier and more organised way to trade.

In this guide, we’ll look at:

• How Kenyans are using different online marketplaces in Kenya
• The pros and cons of platforms like Jiji Kenya, PigiaMe Kenya, Facebook Marketplace Kenya, and the former OLX Kenya
• Why specialised platforms like Sanalist can be a better choice for serious buyers and sellers of second hand items in Kenya

1. The Rise of Online Marketplaces in Kenya

Search data shows just how big the opportunity is:

• Jiji Kenya – around 150,000 searches per month
• OLX Kenya – about 120,000 searches per month (many Kenyans still search “OLX” by habit)
• PigiaMe Kenya – roughly 80,000 searches per month
• Facebook Marketplace Kenya – around 60,000 searches per month
• Online marketplace Kenya – about 50,000 searches per month

On top of that, there are thousands of monthly searches for:

• Used items in Kenya
• Second hand items in Kenya
• Used electronics in Kenya
• Used phones in Kenya
• Used laptops in Kenya
• Cheap laptops in Nairobi
• Used furniture in Kenya
• Second hand furniture in Nairobi

These numbers prove one thing: Kenyans are actively looking for affordable, good‑quality second hand products online.

2. Jiji Kenya, OLX Kenya, PigiaMe & Facebook Marketplace: What Kenyans Use Today

Jiji Kenya

Jiji Kenya (formerly OLX) is currently one of the biggest classifieds websites in the country. On Jiji.co.ke you can find:

• Used phones and electronics

  

• Cars and motorbikes
• Property to rent and buy
• Jobs, services, and more

Because Jiji Kenya has many listings, buyers have plenty of choice. The downside is that with so many ads, it can be hard to find verified sellers, and there is still risk of scams if you don’t follow safety guidelines.

OLX Kenya

Even though OLX Kenya as a brand no longer operates, many Kenyans still search “OLX Kenya” out of habit when they want an online marketplace in Kenya for second hand items. Those searches usually end up on Jiji Kenya or other classifieds sites. This shows that the demand that OLX created is still very strong; people still want a simple, trusted way to buy and sell used goods.

PigiaMe Kenya

PigiaMe Kenya is another popular local platform with strong branding. It’s well known for:

• Classifieds for used items in Kenya
• Properties (rentals and sale)
• Jobs and services

PigiaMe Kenya focuses a lot on local buyers and sellers, which makes it attractive to Kenyans who want a familiar, home‑grown site rather than a global marketplace.

Facebook Marketplace Kenya

Many people also use Facebook Marketplace Kenya because:

• It’s already inside Facebook (no separate app needed)
• You can see the seller’s profile
• It’s easy to list items quickly

However, Facebook Marketplace is not built specifically for classifieds. It can be messy, hard to search, and doesn’t always offer strong protection for buyers and sellers. Serious sellers often prefer a dedicated online marketplace in Kenya where their ads look more professional and are easier to find in Google search results.

3. What Kenyans Are Really Searching For: Used & Second Hand Items

Besides searching for brand names like Jiji Kenya, PigiaMe Kenya and OLX Kenya, many Kenyans search more generally for used items in Kenya and second hand items in Kenya. Some of the most popular categories include:

a) Used Electronics in Kenya

Electronics are among the top searched second hand products:

• Used electronics in Kenya – phones, TVs, fridges, microwaves, home theatres, etc.
• Used phones in Kenya – especially smartphones from brands like Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, Oppo and iPhones
• Used laptops in Kenya – students, freelancers and businesses look for affordable laptops
• Cheap laptops in Nairobi – Nairobi is the main hub for cheap laptops, refurbished computers and accessories

Because new electronics can be expensive, many Kenyans prefer fairly used or refurbished gadgets from a trusted seller.

b) Used Furniture in Kenya

Furniture is another high‑demand area:

• Used furniture in Kenya – beds, sofas, office desks, chairs, wardrobes, kitchen units, etc.
• Second hand furniture in Nairobi – Nairobi residents regularly search for bargains when moving houses, furnishing new homes, or setting up offices

These categories are perfect for a listing platform like Sanalist, where you can organise ads by city, condition, and price, making it easy for users to find exactly what they want.

4. The Challenges of Buying and Selling Second Hand Items in Kenya

While platforms like Jiji Kenya, PigiaMe, Facebook Marketplace Kenya, and the former OLX Kenya have made online trading popular, Kenyans still face some challenges:

1. Scams and fake sellers

   • Some buyers pay for items that are never delivered.
   • Others receive products that don’t match the description.

2. Lack of clear information

   • Incomplete descriptions and poor photos make it hard to trust a listing.
   • Buyers waste time contacting multiple sellers to ask basic questions.

3. Poor organisation of listings

   • On some platforms, it’s hard to filter by area, price, or condition, especially on social media.
   • Search results can be cluttered and confusing.

4. Limited support

   • When something goes wrong, there’s rarely strong customer support.
   • Most marketplaces say “deal at your own risk”.

This is where a newer, user‑focused listing platform like Sanalist can stand out.

5. Introducing Sanalist: A Smarter Way to Buy and Sell Used Items in Kenya

Sanalist is a modern online marketplace in Kenya designed to make it safer and easier to trade second hand items in Kenya. While many Kenyans are familiar with Jiji Kenya, PigiaMe Kenya, OLX Kenya and Facebook Marketplace Kenya, Sanalist aims to improve the overall experience in several ways:

a) Clean, organised listings

On Sanalist, categories are clearly organised for:

• Used electronics in Kenya – including used phones and used laptops
• Used furniture in Kenya – home and second hand furniture in Nairobi and other towns
• Vehicles, property, services, jobs, and more

This organisation helps buyers find what they need faster than scrolling endlessly through social feeds or poorly structured classifieds.

b) Better quality control

Sanalist can (and should, in your product roadmap):

• Encourage detailed descriptions and multiple photos
• Highlight verified or well‑rated sellers
• Allow buyers to report suspicious listings quickly

This reduces the frustration people sometimes face on other platforms where low‑quality or duplicate ads are common.

c) Local focus and location‑based search

Because Sanalist is built for Kenyans, it can:

• Target searches like cheap laptops in Nairobi more accurately
• Allow users to filter by area (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, etc.)
• Help buyers find used items in Kenya that are truly nearby, cutting delivery or travel costs

6. How to Use Sanalist to Find the Best Second Hand Deals in Kenya

If you’re a buyer looking for bargains on Sanalist, here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Search by keyword

Use common search terms like:

• “Used phones in Kenya”
• “Used laptops in Kenya”
• “Cheap laptops in Nairobi”
• “Used furniture in Kenya” or “second hand furniture in Nairobi”

Sanalist can be optimised to show relevant results quickly, with filters for price, location, and condition.

Step 2: Filter your results

Narrow down your results by:

• City or town (e.g., Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu)
• Price range (to find the best deals)
• Condition (new, used, refurbished)

This makes it easier than searching randomly on Facebook Marketplace Kenya or going through hundreds of ads on larger sites like Jiji Kenya.

Step 3: Check seller details

Before you commit:

• Read the full description carefully
• Check the photos clearly
• See if the seller has any ratings or history on Sanalist
• Contact the seller through the platform and ask any questions

Step 4: Meet safely and inspect the item

Always follow basic safety tips:

• Meet in a public place or secure location
• Inspect the item thoroughly (especially used electronics in Kenya, like phones and laptops)
• Test before paying
• Avoid sending money to unknown sellers before you see the product

7. How Sellers Can Succeed on Sanalist Compared to Jiji & PigiaMe

If you’re a seller of second hand items in Kenya, Sanalist can be a powerful alternative or complement to platforms like Jiji Kenya and PigiaMe Kenya.

a) Create clear, detailed listings

To stand out:

• Use high‑quality photos from different angles
• Write honest, detailed descriptions (condition, age, any defects)
• Include keywords naturally, such as:
  • “Used phones in Kenya”
  • “Used laptops in Kenya”
  • “Cheap laptops in Nairobi”
  • “Used furniture in Kenya”

This not only attracts buyers but also helps your listings rank in Google search for online marketplace Kenya queries.

b) Price competitively

Kenyans searching for used items in Kenya are usually price sensitive. Check similar listings on:

• Sanalist
• Jiji Kenya
• PigiaMe Kenya
• Facebook Marketplace Kenya

Then set a fair price that still leaves you a profit.

c) Build trust

Respond quickly to inquiries, be honest about the condition of your item, and deliver what you promise. Over time, you can build a strong profile on Sanalist as a trusted seller of second hand items in Kenya.

8. Why Sanalist Has a Strong Chance to Rank in Kenya’s SERPs

From an SEO perspective, a focused listing platform like Sanalist can:

• Target multiple high‑intent keywords such as:

  • Jiji Kenya (in comparison content and guides like this)
  • OLX Kenya (to capture users who still search for OLX)
  • PigiaMe Kenya and Facebook Marketplace Kenya (for brand comparisons)
  • Online marketplace Kenya
  • Used items in Kenya and second hand items in Kenya
  • Used electronics in Kenya, used phones in Kenya, used laptops in Kenya, cheap laptops in Nairobi
  • Used furniture in Kenya, second hand furniture in Nairobi

• Create helpful content (like this blog post) that answers real user questions, not just listing ads

• Internally link from the Sanalist blog to relevant category pages (e.g., “Used Electronics”, “Used Phones”, “Used Laptops”, “Furniture – Nairobi”), boosting their authority

By consistently publishing high‑quality, keyword‑rich content and ensuring your listings are crawlable and well‑structured, Sanalist can grow organic traffic and compete strongly with older platforms.

9. Conclusion: The Future of Buying and Selling Used Items in Kenya

Kenyans are searching every day for Jiji Kenya, OLX Kenya, PigiaMe Kenya, Facebook Marketplace Kenya, and many other online marketplace Kenya options. At the same time, demand for used items in Kenya – phones, laptops, electronics, and second hand furniture in Nairobi and beyond – keeps rising.

This creates a huge opportunity for focused platforms like Sanalist to:

• Offer a cleaner, safer, more organised experience
• Help buyers quickly find reliable deals on used electronics in Kenya, used phones, used laptops and more
• Provide sellers with a professional, local platform to reach serious buyers

If you’re looking for a smart way to buy or sell second hand items in Kenya, try Sanalist – a modern Kenyan listing platform built for your needs.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best online marketplace in Kenya for used items?
   The best online marketplace in Kenya for used items depends on what you’re looking for. Popular options include Jiji Kenya, PigiaMe Kenya, Facebook Marketplace Kenya and newer platforms like Sanalist, which focuses on organised, locally targeted listings for used phones, laptops, electronics and furniture.

2. Where can I buy used phones and laptops in Kenya online?
   You can buy used phones and laptops in Kenya from Jiji Kenya, PigiaMe Kenya, Facebook Marketplace Kenya and Sanalist. Sanalist is ideal if you want a clean, searchable platform for used electronics in Kenya, including cheap laptops in Nairobi and other major towns.

3. Is it safe to buy second hand items in Kenya from online marketplaces?
   Yes, it can be safe to buy second hand items in Kenya from online marketplaces like Jiji Kenya, PigiaMe Kenya, Facebook Marketplace Kenya and Sanalist if you follow basic safety tips: meet in public places, inspect items before paying, avoid sending money in advance and deal with trusted, well‑rated sellers.

4. Where can I find used furniture and second hand furniture in Nairobi?
   You can find used furniture and second hand furniture in Nairobi on platforms like Jiji Kenya, PigiaMe Kenya, Facebook Marketplace Kenya and Sanalist. Sanalist provides dedicated categories for used furniture in Kenya, making it easier to filter by location, price and condition.

5. How does Sanalist compare to Jiji Kenya, OLX Kenya and PigiaMe Kenya?
   Sanalist is a newer Kenyan listing platform that offers a more organised and focused experience compared to older brands like Jiji Kenya, OLX Kenya and PigiaMe Kenya. It targets high‑demand searches such as used items in Kenya, used electronics in Kenya and cheap laptops in Nairobi, helping buyers quickly find verified, relevant listings.