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Useful Tips About Kenya

National Flag
KE
Government
Presidential Representative Democratic Republic
President
Mwai Kibaki
Area
580,367 km² / 224,080 sq miles
Population
39,002,772 (2010)
Capital
Nairobi
Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES / KSH)
      Language
Swahili (National Language), English(Official Language)
Time zone
East African Time (UTC+3)

Arrival in  Nairobi

Jomo Kenyatta  International Airport, Nairobi. The airport is about half an hour’s drive  from Nairobi city center. Taxis are readily available, but establish  the fare before getting in.  

Lost Luggage

Visit the lost  luggage desk in the baggage hall before going through customs.

Visas

Most visitors  to Kenya require a visa. Multiple and single entry visas are available.  Applications can be made at the airport or prior to arrival. The single entry  visa is US$ 50, EUR 40.

Getting  Around

Most international  car hire companies operate in Kenya (with offices at the airport).  Vehicles travel on the left-hand side of the road and most cars are right-hand  drive. A current driving license with photograph is accepted for up to three  months stay. City buses operate at reasonable low rates. Fares are to be  paid to the conductor. Matatus (private minibuses) are abundant but  usually overcrowded.

Exchange  rates

 1 Dollar = 80 Kenya Shillings 1 Euro = 106 Kenya Shillings

Banking

Foreign currency  can be changed at banks, foreign currency bureaus or hotels. Banks are open  from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 11am on the first and last Saturday  of each month. Banks in coastal towns open and close half an hour earlier.

Electricity

Kenya uses  the 240V system. Power sockets are of the three-square-pin variety as  used in the UK, although some older buildings have double round-pin  sockets. Bring a universal adaptor if you need to charge your phone or run  other appliances.

Mobile Phones

Kenya uses the  GSM 900 system, which is compatible with Europe and Australia but not  with American GSM 1900. If your phone is not locked into a network, you  can buy a prepaid mobile starter pack from Kenya mobile phone companies.  You can top up by purchasing a scratch card, sold practically in any  street corner anywhere in Kenya. International SMS’s cost around 10 Ksh each,  while international calls cost around 50 Ksh per minute.

Internet  Access

There are cyber  cafes all around. Internet access costs around 1 Ksh per minute. Connection  speed varies, but you will get your e-mail read and sent with reasonable  effort.

Post Office

Open 8 am to 5  pm weekdays, 9 am to 12 pm Saturdays.

Hospital

Nairobi, Mombasa  and Kisumu have international standard hospitals offering all services. For  Ambulance Services, dial 999.

Photography

Photographing people  remains a sensitive issue in Kenya. Some tribal groups request money should  you take a photo. You should never get your camera out at border crossings or  near government or army buildings!

Dress

Kenyans are  generally quite conservative, and particularly concerned with modesty in dress.  On the Muslim dominated coast, particularly in Lamu, women should wear tops  that cover the shoulders and skirts or pants that reach at least to the knees.  For women it is useful to bring a kanga, so you can use it as a covering.

Drugs

Drugs are  illegal in Kenya. Even soft drugs like marijuana are not permitted during your  stay in Kenya. CIVS h3ly discourages the use of any drugs and will  not take responsibility for your actions. Getting into jail in Kenya is  one of the last things you want.

Smoking

A law  banning smoking in public spaces and regulating tobacco products in Kenya came  into effect in 2008.

Civilities

It is  considered rude to speak to someone without first greeting them, so even if you  only want directions, greet the person first. Greet people by saying: “Hujambo!” or reply by saying: “Sijambo!” You will also hear a lot of  “Habari?” meaning “How are you?”, and you can reply saying “Mzuri sana!”  meaning “Very fine!” You will learn some Swahili as long as you are interested  in communicating with local people. 
  • Hello = Hujambo! 
  • Please = Tafadhali! 
  • Thank you = Asante! 
  • Sorry = Pole! 
  • Goodbye = Kwaheri!