Page Update
26-Apr-2007

Location Language History Credit Cards Entry Currency Departures Public Holidays Visas and Customs Postal Services Health Telephones Electrical Power Internet and Email Water Emergency Telephone Numbers Driving Local Time Transportation Visa Application Form (75kb)   Location Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.

History

Kenya's history dates back to many centuries from the internal Diaspora or the early settlements and migrations. Then came the formation of the various language groups who developed their own religions, traditions, governments and ruling systems in which they dictated their way of life and how they managed to keep alive by their trade and occupations. Then came the white settlers, which was followed by the fight for liberation, which gave birth to the Mau Mau freedom fighters and the rise of the Kenyan heroes. In the study of Kenya's past, a look at the present is also inevitable, in order to be able to weigh the future.

Entry

Kenya has three international airports and several other airstrips in strategic areas of the country. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Moi International Airport in Mombasa and Eldoret International Airport in Eldoret are the International Airports.

Kenya can also be accessed by road from the neighboring countries, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia. Immigration borders are designated at each border.

Entry by sea is possible through Mombasa which is a port.

Departures

Security is high at all borders and airports, with security checks, all outgoing baggage are subject to inspection by customs officers.

Visas and Customs

Certain Nationals wishing to enter Kenya can obtain a visa at Nairobi Airport for a fee of US$ 50 per person. Please check with your local embassy to see if you are permitted to get a visa on arrival. Visa forms can be obtained from the internet. One may also visit the Kenya Consulate or Embassy abroad. Personal items are not subject to tax but you may need to declare other items.

Health

 Kenya has some of the best medical facilities. Well equipped clinics and hospitals are available in the main tourist areas. However it is advisable, when visiting areas outside urban areas to pack a small medical kit / first aid kit that include any basic remedies you may need, such as antacids, painkillers, antihistamines and cold remedies. It is also advisable to take vaccines as recommended by the Doctor. Malaria is prevalent in some areas of the country. Please consult your Doctor.

Electrical Power

The electrical current is 240 V and the sockets are 3-pin (UK).

Water

It is highly recommended as in any country to drink bottled water.

Driving

Traffic drives on the left.A full British Driving license is valid; otherwise an International Driving Permit is required. For further details, apply to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in Nairobi. 

Transportation

Commercial and chartered flights are available from the major towns in Kenya to the main tourist areas. A number of new airlines have now come up in Kenya for domestic transfers. Train services operate between Nairobi and Mombasa as well as Nairobi to Kisumu. There are also normal buses running through Kenya. Local public transport, know as Matatus, is also available in most routes within and out of town.

Language

Kiswahili is the national language and English is the official language. Most Kenyans are well conversant in both English and Kiswahili. There are over 42 ethnic languages spoken, the most known being kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, Kamba and Kalenjin. The urban youth have developed isheng which is delivered from a combination of the above languages.

Credit Cards

The great majority of restaurants and hotels accept most credits cards. Traveler’s cheques are also widely accepted in major hotels. There are also several cash dispensers (ATMs) in Nairobi as well as other major towns and cities. It is recommended you carry cash US$ notes issued from the year 2000.

Currency

The national currency is the Kenya shilling (KSH or /=. The easiest currencies to exchange are Dollars, Pounds sterling and the EURO. Due to frequent alterations in exchange rates, the prevailing exchange rate should be obtained from a forex bureau. Banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Some branches open on Saturdays from 9:00am to 11:00am.

Public Holidays

Postal Services

The Kenyan postal services have offices spread around the country.There are also International couriers based around Kenya that offer faster delivery of important packages.

Telephones

Of late technology has grown and there are various forms of communication via telephone there are two mobile telephone operators (Safaricom and Celtel) both provide good internal and external telecommunications service. If you have a mobile phone with a roaming connection, then you are at home with Kenya’s excellent cellular networks, which cover most towns and tourist areas. The International calling code to Kenya is 254 followed by the area code.

Internet and Email

Most hotels and lodges offer Email and Internet access. But be warned that when you are in the bush not all services work. In most towns, the services are available in cyber cafes and private business centers as well as local Post Offices.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

999 – Police, ambulance and fire stations.

Local Time

GMT + 3hours in winter: GMT + 2hours in summer.

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