Planning a trip to Kenya? Here's everything you need to know at a glance — from the Kenyan Shilling to essential Swahili phrases, time zones, and plug types.
Currency & Money
Kenya uses the Kenyan Shilling (KES). As of early 2026, exchange rates are approximately 1 USD = 128-130 KES, 1 GBP = 162-165 KES, and 1 EUR = 140-143 KES.
Banknotes come in 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 KES denominations. Coins range from 1 to 40 KES. You'll mostly use 100 and 500 shilling notes for daily expenses.
M-Pesa is everywhere. This mobile money system is how most Kenyans pay for everything — from matatu rides to restaurant bills. Many taxi drivers and small shops prefer M-Pesa over cash. You can set up an M-Pesa account with a local SIM card (Safaricom) within 24 hours of arrival.
ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. Most accept Visa and Mastercard. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently — fees typically run KES 300-500 per transaction, plus your bank's foreign transaction fees.
Credit cards work at hotels, upscale restaurants, and larger shops. Smaller establishments and street vendors are cash-only. Always carry KES 1,000-2,000 in small bills.
Tipping norms: 10% at restaurants if service charge isn't included, KES 100-200 for hotel porters, KES 500-1,000 per day for safari guides. Tipping isn't mandatory but is appreciated. See our full Kenya tipping guide for details by situation.
Languages
Swahili (Kiswahili) is the national language, spoken by nearly all Kenyans. English is the official language, used in government, business, and education. You can get by with English everywhere tourists go — hotels, restaurants, national parks, and cities. If you're planning to move to Kenya, learning Swahili becomes more important for daily life outside expat circles.
There are 42+ ethnic languages spoken across the country. Kikuyu is the most common (spoken by ~17% of the population), followed by Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, and Kamba.
Essential Swahili Phrases
For the complete list with pronunciation tips, see our Swahili phrases for travelers guide. Here are the basics:
- Jambo — Hello (casual greeting)
- Habari? — How are you?
- Asante / Asante sana — Thank you / Thank you very much
- Karibu — Welcome / You're welcome
- Pole pole — Slowly / Take it easy (you'll hear this constantly)
- Sawa sawa — Okay / Alright
- Hakuna matata — No worries (yes, it's real and commonly used)
- Kwaheri — Goodbye
- Mzungu — Foreigner (usually white person — you'll hear it called out as you walk by)
- Pesa — Money
- Chai — Tea (also slang for a small bribe)
Time Zone
Kenya operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3 year-round. There's no daylight saving time — ever. The time stays consistent throughout the year.
Time differences from major cities (as of early 2026):
- London: +3 hours (GMT) / +2 hours (BST)
- New York: +8 hours (EST) / +7 hours (EDT)
- Dubai: Same time (UTC+4 to UTC+3 = 1 hour behind)
- Mumbai: -2.5 hours (UTC+5.5)
- Sydney: -7 hours (AEDT) / -8 hours (AEST)
When it's noon in Nairobi, it's 9am in London, 4am in New York, and 4:30pm in Mumbai.
Geography & Climate
Nairobi sits at 1,795 meters (5,889 feet) above sea level. This high altitude makes the capital surprisingly cool for an equatorial city. Temperatures range from 15-26°C (59-79°F) year-round, with cool mornings and evenings.
The coast (Mombasa, Diani) is at sea level — hot, humid, and tropical. Expect 25-33°C (77-91°F) with high humidity. Coastal breezes provide relief.
Rainy seasons happen twice a year: long rains from March to May (heaviest in April), and short rains from October to December. Roads can become impassable during heavy rains, especially in rural areas.
Dry seasons (January-February and June-September) are peak tourist times. The Mara migration happens July-October, while January-February offers excellent beach weather and safari conditions.
Pack layers for Nairobi and the highlands. Bring sunscreen and light clothing for the coast. Safaris need both — cool mornings, hot midday sun.
Population
Kenya's population is approximately 56 million as of early 2026. Nairobi's metro area has around 5 million residents, while Mombasa has roughly 1.3 million.
The country has 42+ ethnic groups. The largest is Kikuyu (~17% of the population), followed by Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, and Kamba. This diversity means different regions have distinct languages, foods, and cultural traditions.
Kenya has a youth bulge — the median age is around 20 years old. More than 75% of the population is under 35. You'll notice this immediately: cities are vibrant, entrepreneurial energy is high, and tech adoption (especially mobile money) is rapid.
Independence & Government
Kenya gained independence from Britain on December 12, 1963. This date is celebrated annually as Jamhuri Day (Jamhuri means "republic" in Swahili) — a national holiday with parades, speeches, and festivities.
Kenya is a democratic republic with an elected president who serves as both head of state and government. William Ruto has been president since September 2022. The government structure includes a bicameral parliament (National Assembly and Senate) and 47 counties with devolved governance.
Religion
Kenya is predominantly Christian — about 85% of the population. Protestantism and Catholicism are roughly equal in size, with numerous denominations and evangelical churches throughout the country.
Muslims make up approximately 11% of the population, concentrated mainly on the coast (Mombasa, Lamu) and in the northeast near the Somali border. Mombasa's old town has several historic mosques dating back centuries.
Small communities of Hindus, Sikhs, and practitioners of traditional African religions make up the remaining percentage. You'll find temples in Nairobi and Mombasa, reflecting the Indian diaspora's long history in Kenya.
Kenya's constitution guarantees freedom of religion. You'll hear church bells on Sunday mornings and the call to prayer from mosques — especially on the coast.
Electricity
Kenya uses Type G plugs (British-style three-pin rectangular), 240V at 50Hz. This is the same as the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Bring a universal adapter. Hotels have limited adapters available, and they're often in use by other guests. A good universal adapter costs KES 500-1,000 at Nairobi's malls.
Power cuts happen occasionally, especially during the rainy season. Most hotels and lodges have backup generators that kick in within seconds. Smaller guesthouses might not — bring a portable battery pack for your phone.
If you're from North America (110V), Japan (100V), or other 110V countries, check your devices before plugging in. Most modern phone and laptop chargers handle 110-240V automatically (check the fine print). Hair dryers and other heat appliances often don't — they'll either blow a fuse or burn out.
Quick Comparison Table
| Kenya | UK | USA | India | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | KES (1 USD = ~130 KES) | GBP | USD | INR |
| Plug Type | Type G | Type G | Type A/B | Type C/D/M |
| Voltage | 240V / 50Hz | 230V / 50Hz | 120V / 60Hz | 230V / 50Hz |
| Driving Side | Left | Left | Right | Left |
| Time Zone | UTC+3 | UTC+0/+1 | UTC-5 to -8 | UTC+5.5 |
Planning your trip? Start with our Kenya ETA guide and safety overview. Check best times to visit for seasonal planning.
Explore More on BestKenya
Related guides:
Plan Your Kenya Trip
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