Local culture in Kenya

Kenya is a vibrant and diverse country with a rich local culture. Some new arrivals find living in Kenya quite challenging to adjust to and may prefer to remain within expat compounds. While this can be comforting at first, expats who don't leave their compounds have a limited experience of Kenya and deny themselves the opportunity to mingle with locals, an enriching experience.

Other expats don't find the cultural differences intimidating and are inspired by the friendly and open nature of Kenyans, who generally have a welcoming attitude towards foreigners. Expat groups in large cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa help facilitate the assimilation process. These organisations arrange social gatherings, including cultural festivals, cooking classes, and outdoor adventures. Contact your embassy or consulate to find out more about local expat clubs.

As a new arrival, you will likely find many challenges adapting to the local culture in Kenya, and there may be lifestyle differences in Nairobi compared to Mombasa and other coastal towns, as well as elsewhere in the country.

Inequality in Kenya

As an expat in Kenya, you have access to luxurious houses, modern malls, and comfortable cars. This makes your experience relatively insulated and quite different from the average Kenyan's experience.

New arrivals might be shocked at the disparity between the haves and have-nots. Wealthy Kenyans drive luxury vehicles, own palatial homes and operate with abundant resources. A growing lower-middle class also enjoys a comfortable but modest lifestyle.

Still, many Kenyans live below the poverty line, visible in both rural areas and cities. These communities lack essential resources such as clean water, sanitation, electricity, and educational facilities. This stark inequality can be a cause of culture shock.

Language barrier in Kenya

As an English-speaking expat, you will be relieved to know that you won’t struggle with much of a language barrier in Kenya. English is one of the country's two official languages, and while Swahili is the first language of many Kenyans, there's widespread English proficiency, particularly in cities. Many also speak an additional region-specific language.

The reduced language barrier makes your adjustment to life in Kenya much smoother, especially in doing business or making friends. Learning Swahili can enhance your experience and help you integrate more deeply into the local culture.

Traffic and road conditions in Kenya

As an expat in Kenya, you'll soon get used to sitting in traffic and being surrounded by hawkers selling everything from newspapers to car accessories. You might find phone chargers, toys, bananas, sunglasses and art on offer. While the constant pressure to buy things can be annoying, you'll soon learn to tolerate these vendors and gently encourage them to move on.

Road conditions in Kenya can be challenging. Roads are often poorly maintained, bumpy, and potholed. Traffic moves on the left side, which can be disorienting. Issues include excessive speeding, poorly maintained vehicles, and heavy traffic jams. Matatus (shared minibuses) and boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) pose significant dangers to other vehicles and pedestrians.

Nighttime travel between cities should be avoided due to poor road conditions and the threat of banditry. Some unpaved roads become impassable during the rainy season, even with four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Public transport options in Kenya include buses, matatus, shared taxis, and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt. Buses are generally comfortable and safe for long-haul travel. Matatus are colourful and lively but can be overcrowded and vary in safety. Shared taxis are less crowded and run on fixed routes. Ride-hailing apps are popular in urban areas, offering convenience and reliability.

Driving in Kenya isn't always easy. We recommend you hire a local driver, but if you opt to drive, always wear a seatbelt, maintain a safe following distance, and use indicator lights properly. Avoid drinking and driving, use offline navigation apps, and allow extra travel time. Take extra precautions on small highways or winding mountain roads.

Corruption and bureaucracy in Kenya

The economic disparities in Kenya are symptoms of a bigger problem. Corruption and mismanagement of public funds have long been a concern. You may come across instances of solicited bribery even in your day-to-day life.

When dealing with visas, work permits, paperwork, and driving licences, you are sure to find the inevitable delays extremely frustrating. Hiring a qualified agent to deal with these matters is often necessary. Achieving the desired results is sometimes impossible without their help.

Useful links

• Transparency International: Kenya