Food and Drink
- Street Food Stalls
- Diamond Plaza (Highridge) for Kenyan-Indian street food
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo and UberEats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Nyama Choma (grilled meat) with Ugali and Kachumbari at Carnivore Kenya
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Chowpaty (Highridge) and Bridges Organic Restaurant (CBD)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Mama Rocks (Gourmet Shakes) and Artcaffé (Pastries and Tarts)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- City Market (CBD) for groceries and Toi Market for affordable clothing
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia Kenya and Kilimall
- Grocery Delivery
- Greenspoon (premium/organic) and Carrefour via Glovo
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Westlands (The Alchemist, Brew Bistro, Havana Bar)
- Local Brewery
- 254 Brewing Co. (Local craft beer) and Kenya Breweries Limited (Tusker Lager)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shop (Piedmont Plaza, Ngong Rd)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Fogo Gaucho (Brazilian Churrascaria) and Tokyo Japanese Restaurant
Essentials
- City
- Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
- Population
- Approximately 4.4 million
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-50 Mbps; Safaricom Fiber offers up to 100 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Kenyan Shilling (KES). 1 USD ≈ 130 KES, 1 EUR ≈ 142 KES
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled or filtered water (e.g., Keringet, 1.5L for 70 KES)
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) sockets
- SIM Card
- Safaricom (best coverage) or Airtel; 10GB data for approx. 1,000 KES ($7.70)
- Banking for Expats
- NCBA, Stanbic, I&M Bank; M-Pesa mobile money is essential and widely used
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Jiji.co.ke, and furnished apartments in Westlands or Kilimani
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, M-Pesa is used everywhere from street vendors to malls; Cards accepted in major outlets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Blueground, and Executive Residency by Best Western
- Budget Accommodation
- Manyatta Backpackers (Milimani) - approx. 2,000 KES ($15) per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Karen (scenic, safe, near Giraffe Centre) or Langata
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Westlands (social hub) or Kilimani/Lavington (residential with many cafes)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Nairobi Garage (Kilimani/Westlands) - Day pass 2,500 KES ($19), Monthly 20,000 KES ($154)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Java House (various locations) or CJ's Coffee (Koinange St) - fast Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Metta Nairobi events and Afterwork drinks at The Alchemist Bar
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Nairobi Chapter and 'Expats in Nairobi' Facebook Group meetups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Bolt, and Little Cab (local favorite)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Baiskeli Adventures (Karen) - approx. 1,000 KES per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Diani Beach (1-hour flight from Wilson Airport via Safarilink/Safaricom)
- Top Regional Airline
- Kenya Airways (The Pride of Africa) and JamboJet
- Top International Airline
- Kenya Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines
- Highway Access
- Nairobi Expressway (Toll road linking JKIA airport to Westlands - approx. 300-600 KES)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Nairobi Terminus (SGR) in Syokimau for trains to Mombasa
- Public Transport Passes
- No unified pass; Matatus (minibuses) paid via cash/M-Pesa (50-100 KES per trip)
- Regional Travel
- Madaraka Express (SGR Train) to Mombasa - Economy 1,500 KES ($11.50)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- The Nairobi Hospital or Aga Khan University Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Africa Yoga Project (Parklands) and Acacia Studios (Viking House, Westlands)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Revitalize Wellness Center (Radisson Blu) and Alpha Fit (Lorisho)
- Laundry Services
- Laundry Boma or various professional dry cleaners in malls like Yaya Centre
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Nairobi National Park (The only park in a city) - Entry approx. $43 for foreigners
- Museums & Art Venues
- Nairobi National Museum and Circle Art Gallery (Lavington)
- Historical Sites
- Karen Blixen Museum and Nairobi Railway Museum
- Religious Sites
- Jamia Mosque and Holy Family Basilica (CBD)
- Annual Events
- Blankets & Wine (Music Festival) and Nairobi Design Week
- Cultural Districts
- Karen (Colonial history/crafts) and River Road (Vibrant local commerce)
- Theater Venues
- Kenya National Theatre and Alliance Française
- Local Markets
- Maasai Market (rotating locations like High Court Parking/Prestige Plaza)
- Music Scene
- Genge and Gengetone at venues like 1824 and K1 Klub House
- Street Art
- Matatu Culture (The moving art galleries of Nairobi's buses)
- Cooking Classes
- Cooking with Jaz (Local Kenyan cuisine workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Banana Hill Art Gallery and GoDown Arts Centre
- Historic Buildings
- Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) - Rooftop views for 500 KES
- Local Heritage
- The Bead Factory (Kazuri Beads) and Bomas of Kenya (Traditional dances)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Karura Forest (Hiking/Cycling) - Entry 600 KES for foreigners
- National Parks Nearby
- Hell's Gate National Park (Naivasha) - 2 hours away
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Sigiria Forest trails and Ngong Hills
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Top of Ngong Hills (Views of the Great Rift Valley)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Nairobi National Park and Karura Forest
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camp Toyoyo or specific campsites in Lukenya
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Sendy (App-based) and G4S Courier
- Tech Repair Services
- Check point at Kenya Cinema or various shops in Jamia Mall
- Table Tennis Spots
- Oshwal Religious Centre or various sports clubs like Parklands Sports Club
- Language Classes
- Language Center (Karen) for Swahili lessons
- Libraries & Study Spots
- McMillan Memorial Library and British Council Library
- Community Centers
- Kilimani Project Foundation and PAWA254
- Gaming Lounges
- Triton Gaming Lounge (Westlands)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Flamingo and Mayfair Casino
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 120,000 KES per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 4,800,000 KES / $37,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 85,000 KES per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 3,400,000 KES / $26,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 110,000 KES per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 6,600,000 KES / $50,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 75,000 KES per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 4,500,000 KES / $34,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 100,000 KES per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 8,000,000 KES / $61,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 70,000 KES per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 5,600,000 KES / $43,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% for residents; 37.5% for non-resident branches
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5% for residents; 15% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Source-based tax system (Income accrued in or derived from Kenya)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (for income above 800,000 KES per month)
- VAT
- 16% standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but transfer pricing regulations apply
- Property Tax
- Annual Land Rates (approx. 0.1% of land value) and Land Rent
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp Duty: 4% (within municipalities), 2% (outside municipalities)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Kenya has introduced a Digital Nomad Visa (Work Pay); tax depends on residency status (>183 days)