--- title: Moving to Kenya: Visas, Costs & Immigrant Guide description: Moving to Kenya can be a good option for families and individuals looking for work, study, or family reunification. Nairobi, the capital, is a hub for expatriat image: https://migrantiq.com/og/default.png --- Skip to content Kenya flag [/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflagcdn.com%2Fw80%2Fke.png&w=3840&q=75] MOVING TO KENYA: VISAS, COST OF LIVING & IMMIGRANT GUIDE Kenya flag [/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflagcdn.com%2Fw320%2Fke.png&w=3840&q=75] Moving to Kenya: this free immigrant guide covers cost of living, visa options, banking, healthcare, laws, and settlement steps for living in Kenya. Always confirm rules on the official immigration portal. Immigration rules and fees change frequently. Confirm current requirements on official government or embassy websites. Moving to Kenya can be a good option for families and individuals looking for work, study, or family reunification. Nairobi, the capital, is a hub for expatriates, offering modern amenities and cultural experiences. With a mixed healthcare system and various visa options, including business and work permits, understanding the requirements and processes is essential before relocating. In the first three months, focus on settling in, building local connections, and managing daily life essentials. \n\nThis guide is for those considering a move to Kenya for employment, education, or to join family. Familiarizing yourself with the local landscape, including the cost of living and healthcare access, will help you prepare for your transition. Research the specific visa requirements that apply to your situation and plan your arrival accordingly. Last updated 2026-05-17Official immigration portal ↗ [https://www.immigration.go.ke/] Review due soon MigrantIQ research desk [/about/editorial/]3 min readData confidence: 82/100 19 published visa guides · 5 editorially reviewed in Q4 2026 Save to planner Verify before you move MigrantIQ provides general migration information, not legal advice. Always verify critical steps with official government sources or a licensed advisor before paying fees or submitting documents. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report an issue [/contact/] AT A GLANCE: LIVING IN KENYA Quick signals for cost of living, salary, healthcare, and safety before you dig into visas and settlement. Capital Nairobi Region Africa (Eastern Africa) Currency KES Cost of Living Index 28.9 Net Monthly Salary 2082 Healthcare Mixed Safety Index N/A Rent Index 7.8 Quality Index N/A COST OF LIVING IN KENYA Kenya's cost of living index is 28.9, suggesting that living expenses can be relatively low compared to many Western countries. However, costs can vary significantly based on the city or region. The rent index is low at 7.8, making housing more affordable, especially outside Nairobi. With a typical net monthly salary of KES 2082, budgeting wisely is important to ensure a comfortable lifestyle. KENYA COUNTRY PROFILE In-depth facts & data for living in Kenya on this page· Updated 2026-06-02 8 sections The northern and eastern three‑fifths of the country are arid. The southern two‑fifths, where most of the population and nearly all the economic production is centered, consists of a low‑lying coastal area and a plateau varying in altitude from 3,000 to 10,000 feet. Although only about 20% of the land is suitable for c… Demographics & populationPopulation size, age structure, migration, ethnicity, language, education, and health indicatorsEconomyGDP, employment, industries, public finance, and currencyGovernment & politicsGovernment structure, legal system, citizenship, and international relationsGeography & environmentLocation, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resourcesTradeImports, exports, and trading partnersTravel & safetySafety, crime, medical care, and travel conditions for visitors and newcomersInfrastructureTransport, communications, and energyNational symbolsAnthem and national symbols For planning only. Always verify immigration and legal rules on official government sites. DEMOGRAPHICS & POPULATION IN KENYA: PLANNING NOTES 233 words of country-specific briefing for moving to Kenya. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Demographics & population in Kenya for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use Kenya-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. Kenya sits in Eastern Africa, Africa, with Nairobi as the capital. Common working and school languages in the dataset include English (official), Kiswahili (official) and numerous indigenous languages. English proficiency is listed as medium. Population and age figures on this page are planning signals, not a substitute for census releases or visa eligibility rules. The northern and eastern three‑fifths of the country are arid. The southern two‑fifths, where most of the population and nearly all the economic production is centered, consists of a low‑lyin Early practical steps people actually use in Kenya include: Confirm visa status and entry conditions before booking travel; Prepare temporary housing and proof of address where required; Set up local phone, banking, tax, and health coverage steps; Save emergency numbers, official portals, and scam-reporting channels. Treat the list as a reminder, not a filing checklist. When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://www.immigration.go.ke/ (Department of Immigration Services) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Population overview; Age & family; Migration; Ethnicity & language; Education; Health & living conditions. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: DEMOGRAPHICS & POPULATION POPULATION OVERVIEW Show 6 6 facts — expand for details. Population 58,246,378 Population Growth Rate 2.06% Population Distribution population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast Urban Population * population: 29.5% of total population rate of * urbanization: 4.09% annual rate of change Population in Major Urban Areas 5.325 million NAIROBI (capital), 1.440 million Mombassa Population: Male/Female * male: 29,091,800 * female: 29,154,578 AGE & FAMILY Show 12 12 facts — expand for details. Age Structure * years: 35.8% (male 10,464,384/female 10,366,997) 15-64 [tel:9971564] * years: 60.9% (male 17,731,068/female 17,723,012) 65 years and * over: 3.4% (male 896,348/female 1,064,569) Median Age * total: 21.2 years * male: 21.1 years * female: 21.4 years Birth Rate - births/1,000 population 26 Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population 4.9 Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman 3.16 Gross reproduction rate 2 Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49 64.6% Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49 64.6% Currently married women (ages 15-49) 56.8% Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49) 20.3 Mother's mean age at first birth 20.3 Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female * birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 * years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 * years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and * over: 0.84 male(s)/female total * population: 1 male(s)/female MIGRATION Show 2 2 facts — expand for details. Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population -0.2 Demographic profile Kenya has experienced dramatic population growth since the mid-20th century as a result of its high birth rate and its declining mortality rate. Almost 40% of Kenyans are under the age of 15 as of 2020 because of sustained high fertility, early marriage and childbearing, and an unmet need for family planning. Kenya’s persistent rapid population growth strains the labor market, social services, arable land, and natural resources. Although Kenya in 1967 was the first Sub-Saharan country to launch a nationwide family planning program, progress in reducing the birth rate has largely stalled since the late 1990s, when the government decreased its support for family planning to focus on the HIV epidemic. Government commitment and international technical support spurred Kenyan contraceptive use, decreasing the fertility rate (children per woman) from about 8 in the late 1970s to less than 5 children twenty years later, but it has plateaued at about 3 children as of 2022. Kenya is a source of emigrants and a host country for refugees. In the 1960s and 1970s, Kenyans pursued higher education in the UK because of colonial ties, but as British immigration rules tightened, the US, the then Soviet Union, and Canada became attractive study destinations. Kenya’s stagnant economy and political problems during the 1980s and 1990s led to an outpouring of Kenyan students and professionals seeking permanent opportunities in the West and southern Africa. Nevertheless, Kenya’s relative stability since its independence in 1963 has attracted hundreds of thousands of refugees escaping violent conflicts in neighboring countries; Kenya was sheltering nearly 280,000 Somali refugees as of 2022. ETHNICITY & LANGUAGE Hide Ethnic Groups Kikuyu 17.1%, Luhya 14.3%, Kalenjin 13.4%, Luo 10.7%, Kamba 9.8%, Somali 5.8%, Kisii 5.7%, Mijikenda 5.2%, Meru 4.2%, Maasai 2.5%, Turkana 2.1%, non-Kenyan 1%, other 8.2% Language Note English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages Nationality Noun * noun: Kenyan(s) * adjective: Kenyan EDUCATION Show 5 5 facts — expand for details. Literacy - total population 82.6% Literacy - male 85.5% Literacy - female 79.8% Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write Education Expenditures - percent of GDP 4.8% HEALTH & LIVING CONDITIONS Show 14 14 facts — expand for details. Life Expectancy at Birth * population: 70.4 years * male: 68.6 years * female: 72.2 years Infant Mortality Rate * total: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births * male: 29 deaths/1,000 live births * female: 23.1 deaths/1,000 live births Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births * total: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births * male: 29 deaths/1,000 live births * female: 23.1 deaths/1,000 live births Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births 530 Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population .16 Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population 1.4 Health Expenditures - percent of GDP 4.3% Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk * risk: very high food or waterborne * diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne * diseases: malaria, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, and sexually transmitted * diseases: HIV/AIDS water contact * diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact * diseases: rabies * note: on 31 August 2023, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Israel is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate 7.1% Tobacco Use * total: 11.1% * male: 19.5% * female: 2.7% Alcohol consumption per capita * total: 1.68 liters of pure alcohol * beer: 0.81 liters of pure alcohol * wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol * spirits: 0.81 liters of pure alcohol other * alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved * improved: urban: 91.3% of population * rural: 63.3% of population * total: 71.2% of population * unimproved: urban: 8.7% of population * rural: 36.7% of population * total: 28.8% of population Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved * improved: urban: 84% of population * rural: 48.1% of population * total: 58.2% of population * unimproved: urban: 16% of population * rural: 51.9% of population * total: 41.8% of population Underweight - percent of children under five years 10.1% ECONOMY IN KENYA: PLANNING NOTES 217 words of country-specific briefing for moving to Kenya. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Economy in Kenya for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use Kenya-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. People comparing Kenya with other destinations usually start with wages, rent, and tax, not headline GDP. GDP per capita in the planning dataset is about 3,300. Recent growth is listed at 6.5 percent. Unemployment is listed at 40 percent. A typical net monthly salary signal is 2,082. The cost-of-living index is 29. The rent index is 8. A city-centre 1-bed rent signal is 250. A monthly groceries signal is 152. Purchasing-power index: 36. Local currency code: KES. City prices vary, and these indexes do not replace a job offer or a proof-of-funds check. The northern and eastern three‑fifths of the country are arid. The southern two‑fifths, where most of the population and nearly all the economic production is centered, consists of a low‑lyin When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://www.immigration.go.ke/ (Department of Immigration Services) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Economic overview; GDP & growth; Prices & money; Employment & labor; Labor by occupation; Public finance. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: ECONOMY ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Show 4 4 facts — expand for details. Economic Overview Kenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. Kenya’s real GDP growth has averaged over 5% for the last decade. Since 2014, Kenya has been ranked as a lower middle income country because its per capita GDP crossed a World Bank threshold. While Kenya has a growing entrepreneurial middle class and steady growth, its economic development has been impaired by weak governance and corruption. Although reliable numbers are hard to find, unemployment and under-employment are extremely high, and could be near 40% of the population. In 2013, the country adopted a devolved system of government with the creation of 47 counties, and is in the process of devolving state revenues and responsibilities to the counties. Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing one-third of GDP. About 75% of Kenya’s population of roughly 48.5 million work at least part-time in the agricultural sector, including livestock and pastoral activities. Over 75% of agricultural output is from small-scale, rain-fed farming or livestock production. Tourism also holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. In spite of political turmoil throughout the second half of 2017, tourism was up 20%, showcasing the strength of this sector. Kenya has long been a target of terrorist activity and has struggled with instability along its northeastern borders. Some high visibility terrorist attacks during 2013-2015 [tel:20132015] (e.g., at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and Garissa University) affected the tourism industry severely, but the sector rebounded strongly in 2016-2017 [tel:20162017] and appears poised to continue growing. Inadequate infrastructure continues to hamper Kenya’s efforts to improve its annual growth so that it can meaningfully address poverty and unemployment. The KENYATTA administration has been successful in courting external investment for infrastructure development. International financial institutions and donors remain important to Kenya's growth and development, but Kenya has also successfully raised capital in the global bond market issuing its first sovereign bond offering in mid-2014, with a second occurring in February 2018. The first phase of a Chinese-financed and constructed standard gauge railway connecting Mombasa and Nairobi opened in May 2017. In 2016 the government was forced to take over three small and undercapitalized banks when underlying weaknesses were exposed. The government also enacted legislation that limits interest rates banks can charge on loans and set a rate that banks must pay their depositors. This measure led to a sharp shrinkage of credit in the economy. A prolonged election cycle in 2017 hurt the economy, drained government resources, and slowed GDP growth. Drought-like conditions in parts of the country pushed 2017 inflation above 8%, but the rate had fallen to 4.5% in February 2018. The economy, however, is well placed to resume its decade-long 5%-6% growth rate. While fiscal deficits continue to pose risks in the medium term, other economic indicators, including foreign exchange reserves, interest rates, current account deficits, remittances and FDI are positive. The credit and drought-related impediments were temporary. Now In his second term, President KENYATTA has pledged to make economic growth and development a centerpiece of his second administration, focusing on his "Big Four" initiatives of universal healthcare, food security, affordable housing, and expansion of manufacturing. Industries * small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing * oil refining, cement * tourism GDP - per capita (PPP) $3,300.00 (USD) GDP - real growth rate 6.5% GDP & GROWTH Show 9 9 facts — expand for details. GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP) $226,940,000,000 (USD) GDP Per Capita $3,300.00 (USD) GDP - real growth rate 6.5% GDP - official exchange rate $63,120,000,000 (USD) GDP - composition, by end use * consumption: 78.7% government * consumption: 13.7% investment in fixed * capital: 23.6% investment in * inventories: -1% exports of goods and * services: 16.1% imports of goods and * services: -31.1% GDP by Sector- agriculture 29.9% GDP by Sector- Industry 19.5% GDP by Sector- services 50.6% Industrial Growth Rate 4% PRICES & MONEY Show 5 5 facts — expand for details. Inflation Rate 4.2% Exchange Rate per US Dollar Kenyan shilling (KES) Currency Name and Code Kenyan Shilling (KES) Fiscal Year 1 July - 30 June Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate 17.1% EMPLOYMENT & LABOR Show 7 7 facts — expand for details. Labor Force 17,940,000 Unemployment Rate 40% Major Industries * small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing * oil refining, cement * tourism Agriculture Products tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs Population Below Poverty Line 50% Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14 2,146,058 Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14 26% LABOR BY OCCUPATION Show 2 2 facts — expand for details. Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture 75% Labor Force By Occupation- industry 25% PUBLIC FINANCE Show 4 4 facts — expand for details. Annual Budget $7,017,000,000 (USD) Public Debt (% of GDP) 67.4% Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP -4.1% Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP 17.4% GOVERNMENT & POLITICS IN KENYA: PLANNING NOTES 227 words of country-specific briefing for moving to Kenya. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Government & politics in Kenya for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use Kenya-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. Kenya's government and legal structure matters for visas, ID, tax residence, and later naturalization. The immigration authority in our records is Department of Immigration Services. Confirm current forms and fees on https://www.immigration.go.ke/. In the planning dataset, permanent residence is listed at 1 years of qualifying stay; dual citizenship is listed as restricted. The northern and eastern three‑fifths of the country are arid. The southern two‑fifths, where most of the population and nearly all the economic production is centered, consists of a low‑lyin Early practical steps people actually use in Kenya include: Confirm visa status and entry conditions before booking travel; Prepare temporary housing and proof of address where required; Set up local phone, banking, tax, and health coverage steps; Save emergency numbers, official portals, and scam-reporting channels. Treat the list as a reminder, not a filing checklist. When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://www.immigration.go.ke/ (Department of Immigration Services) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Identity & names; Political system; Capital & time; International role. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS IDENTITY & NAMES Show 8 8 facts — expand for details. Full Country Name Republic of Kenya Country Name Kenya Local - Long Republic of Kenya (English)/ Jamhuri ya Kenya (Swahili) Local - Short Kenya Former Name British East Africa Etymology- history of name named for Mount Kenya; the meaning of the name is unclear but may derive from the Kikuyu, Embu, and Kamba words "kirinyaga," "kirenyaa," and "kiinyaa" - all of which mean "God's resting place" Independence 12 December 1963 (from the UK) National Holiday Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963); note - Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963) marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule POLITICAL SYSTEM Show 10 10 facts — expand for details. Government Type presidential republic Constitution * history: current constitution passed by referendum on 4 August 2010 * amendments: amendments can be proposed by either house of Parliament or by petition of at least one million eligible voters; passage of amendments by Parliament requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses in each of two readings, approval in a referendum by majority of votes cast by at least 20% of eligible voters in at least one half of Kenya’s counties, and approval by the president; passage of amendments introduced by petition requires approval by a majority of county assemblies, approval by majority vote of both houses, and approval by the president Legal System: mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in the new Supreme Court established by the new constitution Executive Branch: * chief of state: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government * head of government: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022) * cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly * elections/appointments: president and deputy president directly elected on the same ballot by majority vote nationwide and at least 25% of the votes cast in at least 24 of the 47 counties; failure to meet these thresholds requires a runoff between the top two candidates; election last held on 9 August 2022 (next to be held on 10 August 2027) * election results: 2022: William RUTO elected president in first round; percent of vote - William RUTO (UDA) 50.5%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 48.9%, other 0.6% 2017: Uhuru KENYATTA reelected president; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA (JP) 98.3%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 1%, other 0.7%; note - Kenya held a previous presidential election on 8 August 2017, but Kenya's Supreme Court on 1 September 2017 nullified the results, citing irregularities; the political opposition boycotted the October vote Legislative Branch: * Description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (68 seats; 47 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 20 directly elected by proportional representation vote - 16 women, 2 representing youth, 2 representing the disabled, and one Senate speaker; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly (350 seats; 290 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 47 women in single-seat constituencies elected by simple majority vote, and 12 members nominated by the National Assembly - 6 representing youth and 6 representing the disabled, and one Assembly speaker; members serve 5-year terms) * elections: * Senate - last held on 9 August 2022 (next to be held on 10 August 2027) * National Assembly - last held on 9 August 2022 (next to be held on 10 August 2027) * Election Results: - Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Kenya Kwanza 33, Azimio La Umoja 32, independent 2, other 1; * composition - men 47, women 21, percent of women is 31% * National Assembly - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Kenya Kwanza alliance 176, Azimio La Umoja alliance 161, independent 12, other 1; * Composition: men 268, women 82, percent of women 23% Judicial Branch: * office: chief and deputy chief justices nominated by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and appointed by the president with approval of the National Assembly; other judges nominated by the JSC and appointed by president; chief justice serves a nonrenewable 10-year term or until age 70, whichever comes first; other judges serve until age 70 * subordinate courts: High Court; Court of Appeal; military courts; magistrates' courts; religious courts Regions or States: * Summary: 47 counties; Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang'a, Nairobi City * Nakuru * Nandi * Narok * Nyamira * Nyandarua * Nyeri * Samburu * Siaya * Taita/Taveta * Tana River * Tharaka-Nithi * Trans Nzoia * Turkana * Uasin Gishu * Vihiga * Wajir * West Pokot Political Parties and Leaders: * Azimio La Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party [Raila ODINGA] (includes DAP-K, JP, KANU, KUP, MCC, MDG, ODM, PAA, UDM, UDP, UPA, UPIA, and WDM-K) * Amani National Congress or ANC [Musalia MUDAVADI] * Chama Cha Kazi or CCK [Moses KURIA] * Democratic Action Party or DAP-K [Wafula WAMUNYINYI] * Democratic Party or DP [Joseph MUNYAO, Chairman] * Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya or FORD-Kenya [Moses WETANGULA] * Grand Dream Development Party or GDDP [Fabian KYULE] * Jubilee Party or JP [Uhuru KENYATTA] (previously the National Alliance Pary) * Kenya African National Union or KANU [Gideon MOI] * Kenya Kwanza coalition [William RUTO] (includes ANC, CCK, DP, FORD-Kenya, TSP, and UDA) * Kenya Union Party or KUP [John LONYANGAPUO] * Maendeleo Chap Chap Party or MCC [Alfred MUTUA] * Movement for Democracy and Growth or MDG [David OCHIENG] * National Agenda Party or NAP-K [Alfayo AGUFANA] * National Ordinary People Empowerment Union or NOPEU [Rodgers MPURU, Secretary General} Orange Democratic Movement or ODM [Raila ODINGA] * Pamoja African Alliance or PAA [Amason KINGI] * The Service Party or TSP [Mwangi KIUNJURI] * United Democratic Alliance or UDA [William RUTO] * United Democratic Movement or UDM [Philip MURGOR] * United Democratic Party or UDP [Cyrus Jirongo] * United Party of Independent Alliance or UPIA [Ukur YATANI] * United Progressive Alliance or UPA [Kenneth NYAMWAMU] * Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya or WDM-K [Kalonzo MUSYOKA] * Note: includes only parties with seats in the Senate and National Assembly Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Citizenship Criteria: * birth: no citizenship by descent * only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya dual citizenship * recognized: yes residency requirement for * naturalization: 4 out of the previous 7 years CAPITAL & TIME Hide Capital Name Nairobi Capital - geographic coordinate 1 17 S, 36 49 E Capital Time Difference UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) INTERNATIONAL ROLE Show 4 4 facts — expand for details. International Organization Participation: * ACP * AfDB * ATMIS * AU * CD * COMESA * EAC * EADB * FAO * G-15 * G-77 * IAEA * IBRD * ICAO * ICCT * ICRM * IDA * IFAD * IFC * IFRCS * IGAD * ILO * IMF * IMO * IMSO * Interpol * IOC * IOM * IPU * ISO * ITSO * ITU * ITUC (NGOs) * MIGA * MONUSCO * NAM * OPCW * PCA * UN * UNAMID * UNCTAD * UNESCO * UNHCR * UNIDO * UNIFIL * UNISFA * UNMIL * UNMISS * UNOOSA * UNSOM * UNWTO * UPU * WCO * WHO * WMO * WTO International Law Organization Participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Diplomatic Representation from US: * Chief of Mission: Ambassador Margaret "Meg" WHITMAN (since 5 August 2022) * Embassy: P.O. Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi * Mailing Address: 8900 Nairobi Place, Washington, DC 20521-8900 [tel:205218900] * Telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000 [tel:203636000] * FAX: [254] (20) 363-6157 [tel:203636157] * Email: kenya_acs@state.gov * Website: https://ke.usembassy.gov/ [https://ke.usembassy.gov/] Diplomatic Representation in the US: * Chief of Mission: Ambassador Lazarus Ombai AMAYO (since 17 July 2020) * Chancery: 2249 R St NW, Washington, DC 20008 * Telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101 [tel:2023876101] * FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829 [tel:2024623829] * Email: information@kenyaembassydc.org * Website: https://kenyaembassydc.org/# [https://kenyaembassydc.org/#] * Consulate(s) General: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT IN KENYA: PLANNING NOTES 154 words of country-specific briefing for moving to Kenya. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Geography & environment in Kenya for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use Kenya-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. Kenya's capital is Nairobi in Eastern Africa, Africa. Traffic keeps to the left. Geography here is for settlement planning: climate, distance to work, and which city you can actually afford, not a travel brochure. The northern and eastern three‑fifths of the country are arid. The southern two‑fifths, where most of the population and nearly all the economic production is centered, consists of a low‑lyin When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://www.immigration.go.ke/ (Department of Immigration Services) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Location & size; Physical geography; Climate & time; Climate; Environment. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT LOCATION & SIZE Show 8 8 facts — expand for details. Geographic Location Africa Geographic Coordinates 1 00 N, 38 00 E Total Area 224,080 Square Miles 580,367 Square Kilometers Land Area 219,745 Square Miles 569,140 Square Kilometers Water Area 4,335 Square Miles 11,227 Square Kilometers Land Boundaries 2,161 Miles 3,477 Kilometers Border Countries Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km Coastline 333 Miles 536 Kilometers PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Show 6 6 facts — expand for details. Terrain low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Highest Point 5,199 Meters Highest Point Location Mount Kenya 5,199 m Lowest Point Location Indian Ocean 0 m Natural Resources gold, limestone, soda ash, salt, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife, hydropower Irrigated Land 398 Square Miles 1,032 Square Kilometers CLIMATE & TIME Hide Time Zone UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) CLIMATE Show 5 5 facts — expand for details. Climate Nairobi has four seasons, but overall temperature changes are moderate. Mid‑ December through March are mainly sunny and warm by day, cool at night, and generally dry. April and May constitute the principal rainy season with lower day temperatures. The months of June through September are mainly dry, but often cloudy and cool, with cool nights. October and November make up the short rainy season, with long sunny periods, warm days, and cool nights. Average annual rainfall in Nairobi is about 39 inches, but the actual amount varies widely in any year. Terrain low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Location Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania Total Area 224,080 Square Miles 580,367 Square Kilometers Border Countries Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km ENVIRONMENT Hide Environment - Current Issues * water pollution from urban and industrial wastes * degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers * water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria * deforestation * soil erosion * desertification * poaching Environment - International Agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements TRADE IN KENYA: PLANNING NOTES 157 words of country-specific briefing for moving to Kenya. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Trade in Kenya for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use Kenya-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. Trade figures for Kenya help explain which industries hire, which ports matter, and how imported goods show up in grocery prices. Settlements and contracts usually run in KES. They are not a visa pathway. Work permission still depends on the destination's immigration rules. The northern and eastern three‑fifths of the country are arid. The southern two‑fifths, where most of the population and nearly all the economic production is centered, consists of a low‑lyin When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://www.immigration.go.ke/ (Department of Immigration Services) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Trade overview; Trading partners; Partners (summary). Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: TRADE TRADE OVERVIEW Show 4 4 facts — expand for details. Exports $5,141,000,000 (USD) Imports $10,400,000,000 (USD) Major Exports tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement Major Imports machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics TRADING PARTNERS Hide Top Export Partners Uganda 18.5%, UK 13%, US 8.1%, Netherlands 7.6%, Pakistan 5%, Egypt 4.1% Top Import Partners UAE 12%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, South Africa 8.1%, US 8.1%, UK 7.1%, France 5.8%, China 5.5%, Japan 5%, India 4.8% PARTNERS (SUMMARY) Hide Export Partners Uganda 18.5%, UK 13%, US 8.1%, Netherlands 7.6%, Pakistan 5%, Egypt 4.1% Import Partners UAE 12%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, South Africa 8.1%, US 8.1%, UK 7.1%, France 5.8%, China 5.5%, Japan 5%, India 4.8% TRAVEL & SAFETY IN KENYA: PLANNING NOTES 232 words of country-specific briefing for moving to Kenya. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Travel & safety in Kenya for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use Kenya-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. Safety in Kenya is local. Neighbourhood, night transport, and documentation checks matter more than a single country score. Tap water is listed as generally safe in the planning dataset. Healthcare system type: Mixed. Immigrant health access note: Limited. Health coverage waiting period in the dataset: 90 days. Read current travel advice from your origin government before you book. The northern and eastern three‑fifths of the country are arid. The southern two‑fifths, where most of the population and nearly all the economic production is centered, consists of a low‑lyin Early practical steps people actually use in Kenya include: Confirm visa status and entry conditions before booking travel; Prepare temporary housing and proof of address where required; Set up local phone, banking, tax, and health coverage steps; Save emergency numbers, official portals, and scam-reporting channels. Treat the list as a reminder, not a filing checklist. When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://www.immigration.go.ke/ (Department of Immigration Services) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Before you travel; Crime & law; Health & roads. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: TRAVEL & SAFETY BEFORE YOU TRAVEL Show 2 2 facts — expand for details. Country Description Kenya is a developing East African country known for its wildlife and national parks. The capital city is Nairobi. The second largest city is Mombasa, located on the southeast coast. Tourist facilities are widely available in Nairobi, the game parks, the reserves, and on the coast. English and Kiswahili are Kenya’s two official languages. Safety & Security All travelers to Kenya should review the Department of State’s Travel Warning for Kenya that provides detailed information about security issues affecting the country. Though thousands of U.S. citizens visit Kenya safely each year, the U.S. government continues to receive information regarding potential terrorist threats aimed at U.S., Western, and Kenyan interests in Kenya. Terrorist acts could include suicide operations, bomb and grenade attacks, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports. Although there have been recent gains in the pursuit of those responsible for previous terrorist activities, many of those involved remain at large and continue to operate in the region. Travelers should consult the Worldwide Caution on the Travel.State.Gov website for further information and details. Kenya initiated military action against al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabaabby crossing into Somalia on October 16, 2011, and, on June 2, 2012, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) whereby it formally joined the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Kenyan troops within AMISOM are now actively pursuing al-Shabaab in southeastern Somalia. In response to the Kenyan intervention, al-Shabaab and its sympathizers have conducted retaliatory attacks against civilian and government targets in Kenya. In the past year, there have been numerous attacks involving grenades or explosive devices in Kenya. At least 76 people died in these attacks, and around 220 people were injured. No U.S. citizens were among the casualties. Approximately twenty-five of these attacks occurred in North Eastern Province, mainly in Dadaab, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa. Four attacks occurred in Mombasa. Twelve grenade and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks have occurred in Nairobi, illustrating an increase in the number of attacks and an advance in the sophistication of attacks. Targets included police stations and police vehicles, nightclubs and bars, churches, a mosque, a religious gathering, a downtown building of small shops, and a bus station. One of the deadliest attacks occurred in Nairobi on November 18, 2012, when an IED detonated on a passenger bus in Eastleigh, killing ten. Seventeen people were killed and about 50 people were injured in a deadly attack on July 1, 2012, with two simultaneous assaults on churches in Garissa. Additionally, Kenyan law enforcement has disrupted several terrorist plots, which resulted in the discoveries of weapons caches and other dangerous materials, and the arrests of several individuals. Multiple kidnappings of Westerners have occurred in Kenya. In September 2011, a British woman was kidnapped and her husband murdered at a coastal resort near the Kenya-Somali border. The British hostage was released in March 2012 after payment of ransom. In October 2011, a French national was kidnapped from a private residence on the popular tourist destination of Lamu Island on Kenya's north coast. She died while in captivity in Somalia. Also in October 2011, two Spanish nationals working for a NGO were kidnapped in Dadaab refugee camp, in northeastern Kenya. They are still being held. On June 29, 2012, four international aid workers (from Canada, Pakistan, Norway, and the Philippines) were kidnapped in Dadaab. All were rescued on July 1, 2012. Following a series of security incidents attributed to violent extremists, including al-Shabaab, the Government of Kenya announced on December 13, 2012 that all urban refugees (primarily Somalis) should relocate to refugee camps. This directive is being challenged in court and is not currently being enforced; however, U.S. citizens of Somali descent should be aware that they may encounter interruptions in their travel due to increased police scrutiny based on the directive. It is very important to carry proof of identity and legal status in Kenya (e.g., valid visa). If you are detained by police or immigration officials, you should request to speak CRIME & LAW Show 2 2 facts — expand for details. Crime Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed carjackings, grenade attacks, home invasions and burglaries, and kidnappings can occur at any time and in any location. U.S. citizens, including U.S. Embassy employees, have been victims of such crimes within the past year. Crime is high in all regions of Kenya, particularly Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and at coastal beach resorts. There are regular reports of attacks against tourists by groups of armed assailants. Pickpockets and thieves carry out "snatch and run" crimes on city streets and near crowds. Visitors have found it safer not to carry valuables, but rather to store them in hotel safety deposit boxes or safe rooms. However, there have been reports of safes being stolen from hotel rooms and hotel desk staff being forced to open safes. Walking alone or at night, especially in downtown areas, public parks, along footpaths, on beaches, and in poorly lit areas, is dangerous and discouraged. Nairobi averages about ten vehicle hijackings per day and Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter and investigate such acts. Matatus (public transportation) tend to be targeted since they carry up to 14 passengers. Although these attacks are often violent, victims are generally not injured if they do not resist. There is also a high incidence of residential break-ins and occupants should take additional security measures to protect their property. Thieves and con artists have been known to impersonate police officers, thus U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to ask for identification if approached by individuals identifying themselves as police officials, uniformed or not. U.S. citizens have fallen victim to such crimes within the past year. U.S. citizens in Kenya should be extremely vigilant with regard to their personal security, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship. U.S. citizens should also remain alert in residential areas, at schools, and at outdoor recreational events. Thieves routinely snatch jewelry and other objects from open vehicle windows while motorists are either stopped at traffic lights or in heavy traffic. Vehicle windows should be up and doors locked regardless of the time of day or weather. Thieves on matatus, buses, and trains may steal valuables from inattentive passengers. U.S. citizens should guard their backpacks or hand luggage and ensure these items are not left unattended. Purchasing items from street vendors is strongly discouraged – visitors should only use reputable stores or businesses. Many scams, perpetrated against unsuspecting tourists, are prevalent in and around the city of Nairobi. Many of these involve people impersonating police officers and using fake police ID badges and other credentials. Nevertheless, police checkpoints are common in Kenya and all vehicles are required to stop if directed to do so. Highway banditry is common in much of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, and northern Tana River counties, as well as Turkana county. These areas are remote and sparsely populated. Incidents also occur occasionally on Kenya's main highways, particularly after dark. Due to increased bandit activity, air travel is the recommended means of transportation when visiting any of the coastal resorts north of Malindi. Travelers to North Eastern Kenya and the North Rift Valley Region should travel with police escorts or convoys organized by the government of Kenya. There have been reports of armed banditry in or near many of Kenya's national parks and game reserves, particularly the Samburu, Leshaba, and Masai Mara game reserves. In response, the Kenya Wildlife Service and police have taken steps to strengthen security in the affected areas, but the problem has not been eliminated. Travelers who do not use the services of reputable travel firms or knowledgeable guides or drivers are especially at risk. Safaris are best undertak Criminal Penalties While you are traveling in Kenya, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some activities that might be legal in Kenya, but illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law. For example, engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Kenya, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It is very important to know what is legal and what is not where you are going. Persons violating Kenya's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Kenya are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Kenya has recently enacted strict legislation regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Please see the Special Circumstances section below. Arrest notifications in host country: Kenya is a signatory to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), and is required by the VCCR to ask any detained U.S. citizen if he/she would like the U.S. HEALTH & ROADS Show 2 2 facts — expand for details. Medical Facilities Adequate medical services are available in Nairobi. Frequent outbreaks of cholera and malaria are endemic in Kenya outside Nairobi. In addition, diseases such as Ebola, Rift Valley Fever, and anthrax from handling sheep skins occur periodically. Travelers, who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, please visit the CDC Travelers' Health web site. Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Kenya. For further information, please consult the CDC's Information on TB. On May 17, the CDC issued a Travel Notice regarding an outbreak of dengue in Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city and a major tourist destination. Dengue is spread by mosquitoes, and travelers to Kenya’s coastal areas should plan to protect themselves from mosquito bites through covering exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats, and using insect repellent as directed on the packaging. For more information on dengue, please visit the CDC web page on dengue. The CDC issued a Travel Notice on June 3, regarding the recent diagnosis of polio in Kenya. All travelers to Kenya and surrounding countries should be fully vaccinated against polio. In addition, adults previously vaccinated as children should receive a one-time booster dose of polio vaccine. Traffic Safety Road Conditions and Safety: Road accidents are a major threat to travelers in Kenya. Roads are poorly maintained and are often bumpy, potholed, and unpaved. • Traffic moves on the left side of the road, which can be very disorienting to those not accustomed to it. • Beware of vehicles traveling at excessive speed, and unpredictable local driving habits. • Many vehicles are poorly maintained and lack basic safety equipment. • Heavy traffic jams, either due to rush hour or because of accidents, are common. • Some vehicles will cross the median strip and drive against the flow of traffic. U.S. citizens have been fatally injured in accidents involving long-distance, inter-city buses and local buses and vans called “matatus”. Matatus are commonly known to be the greatest danger to other vehicles and pedestrians. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using matatus. Injuries and fatalities involving two-wheeled motorcycle taxis, called “boda bodas,” are equally common. Boda bodas often fail to observe basic safety precautions and ignore traffic rules. Inter-city nighttime road travel should be avoided due to the poor road and streetlight conditions and the threat of banditry throughout the country. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using boda bodas. During the rainy season, some unpaved roads are impassable even with four-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance. Travelers are urged to consult with local officials regarding road conditions. Most passenger trains are considered unsafe, particularly during rainy seasons, because of the lack of routine maintenance and safety checks. The only approved train route for U.S. government personnel is the SGR from Nairobi to Mombasa. However, passengers should ride only in the first-class cabin to avoid pickpockets and facilitate a rapid exit if necessary. INFRASTRUCTURE IN KENYA: PLANNING NOTES 158 words of country-specific briefing for moving to Kenya. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Infrastructure in Kenya for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use Kenya-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. Infrastructure in Kenya affects commute time, remote work, and whether a city is livable in the first 90 days. Typical internet speed in the dataset is 15 Mbps. Airports, rail, and roads on this page are inventory, not a promise that your neighbourhood is well served. The northern and eastern three‑fifths of the country are arid. The southern two‑fifths, where most of the population and nearly all the economic production is centered, consists of a low‑lyin When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://www.immigration.go.ke/ (Department of Immigration Services) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Transportation; Pipelines; Communications; Energy. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSPORTATION Show 6 6 facts — expand for details. Airports - total 197 Airports with Paved Runways 16 Railways 1,284 Miles 2,066 Kilometers Roadways- total 99,965 Miles 160,878 Kilometers Roadways- paved 6,953 Miles 11,189 Kilometers Ports and Terminals Kisumu, Lamu, Mombasa PIPELINES Show 2 2 facts — expand for details. Pipelines: Oil 2 Miles 4 Kilometers Pipelines: Refined Products 577 Miles 928 Kilometers COMMUNICATIONS Show 7 7 facts — expand for details. Telephones 664,100 Cell Phones 11,440,000 Internet Users 3,000,000 Internet Country Code .ke Internet Hosts 47,676 Broadcast Media * about a half-dozen privately owned TV stations and a state-owned TV broadcaster that operates 2 channels * satellite and cable TV subscription services available * state-owned radio broadcaster operates 2 national radio channels and provides regional and local radio services in multiple languages * a large number of private radio stations, including provincial stations broadcasting in local languages * transmissions of several international broadcasters available Telephone System * assessment: inadequate; fixed-line telephone system is small and inefficient; trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system * domestic: sole fixed-line provider, Telkom Kenya, is slated for privatization; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage with teledensity reaching 65 per 100 persons in 2011 * international: country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat ENERGY Show 6 6 facts — expand for details. Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh) 4,863,000,000 Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh) 58,300,000 Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh) 22,500,000 Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh) 5,223,000,000 Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day) 79,410 Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day) 31,040 NATIONAL SYMBOLS IN KENYA: PLANNING NOTES 140 words of country-specific briefing for moving to Kenya. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. National symbols in Kenya for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use Kenya-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. National symbols for Kenya are background for civic life and ceremonies. They do not change visa rules. Use the government and visa pages for status, work, and stay conditions. The northern and eastern three‑fifths of the country are arid. The southern two‑fifths, where most of the population and nearly all the economic production is centered, consists of a low‑lyin When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://www.immigration.go.ke/ (Department of Immigration Services) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: National anthem. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: NATIONAL SYMBOLS NATIONAL ANTHEM Show 3 3 facts — expand for details. Anthem History * name: "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation) * lyrics/music: Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE/traditional, adapted by Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE * note: adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song Anthem Lyrics KiSwahili (verse:1) Ee Mungu nguvu yetu Ilete baraka kwetu Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi Natukae na udugu Amani na uhuru Raha tupate na ustawi (verse:2) Amkeni ndugu zetu Tufanye sote bidii Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu Nchi yetu ya Kenya Tunayoipenda Tuwe tayari kuilinda (verse:3) Natujenge taifa letu Ee, ndio wajibu wetu Kenya istahili heshima Tuungane mikono Pamoja kazini Kila siku tuwe na shukrani Anthem Lyrics English O God of all creation Bless this our land and nation Justice be our shield and defender May we dwell in unity Peace and liberty Plenty be found within our borders. (verse:2) Let one and all arise With hearts both strong and true Service be our earnest endeavor And our homeland of Kenya Heritage of splendor Firm may we stand to defend. (verse:3) Let all with one accord In common bond united Build this our nation together And the glory of Kenya The fruit of our labor Fill every heart with thanksgiving. Verified immigration updates for Kenya → [/countries/kenya/immigration-updates/] GOVERNMENT JOBS IN KENYA * Kenya Government Jobs [/government-jobs/government-careers-ke/] · Public Service Commission (Kenya) All government jobs for Kenya → [/government-jobs/?country=kenya] OFFICIAL LANGUAGES IN KENYA English (official)Kiswahili (official)numerous indigenous languages OFFICIAL LINKS FOR KENYA * Department of Immigration Services [https://www.immigration.go.ke/] Official immigration portal for visas, entry rules, and residency steps. The official portal for the Department of Immigration Services is important for accessing accurate information and forms related to your visa and residency. Be cautious of lookalike websites that may charge fees for services available for free through the official site. NEWCOMER CHECKLIST FOR KENYA * •Prepare temporary housing and proof of address where required * •Set up local phone, banking, tax, and health coverage steps * •Save emergency numbers, official portals, and scam-reporting channels * •Research local neighborhoods to find a suitable area to live * •Learn about local customs and cultural norms * •Register with your embassy or consulate upon arrival * •Open a local bank account to manage your finances LOCAL SERVICES & SETUP IN KENYA Healthcare access: Limited Health waiting period: 90 day(s) SETTLEMENT FUNDS & FINANCIAL NOTES FOR KENYA When relocating to Kenya, establish proof of funds and set up local banking arrangements to manage your finances effectively. Opening a local bank account will facilitate transactions and help you integrate into the financial system. Securing health coverage is essential, as access to healthcare can be limited for immigrants, and there may be a waiting period for certain services. Ensure you have adequate resources to cover your initial expenses as you settle in. COST OF LIVING IN KENYA City-level cost rows are incomplete for Kenya, so this is a national planning snapshot in KES (reference city: Nairobi). Net monthly salaryKES 2,082 1BR city centerKES 250 Groceries / monthKES 152 Transport / monthKES 38 Cost-of-living index: 28.9 TAKE-HOME PAY IN KENYA (2026) Educational wage-tax examples from the MigrantIQ tax calculator in KES. Not filing software — confirm with official rules and a licensed adviser. Entry / mid offer Gross KES 1,200,000 KES 830,600net / year ~KES 69,217 / month · effective 30.8% Solid mid career Gross KES 2,500,000 KES 1,662,600net / year ~KES 138,550 / month · effective 33.5% High earner Gross KES 8,000,000 KES 5,082,600net / year ~KES 423,550 / month · effective 36.5% Open Kenya tax calculator → [/tools/tax-calculator/kenya/] · compare take-home vs other destinations [/tools/tax-compare/] Country hub: /countries/kenya/ · Tax year 2026. State or provincial tax may apply on top of federal models. WHO QUALIFIES BEST FOR KENYA * work Ideal for professionals seeking employment opportunities in various sectors. * study Attractive for international students looking for educational experiences. * family Suitable for individuals aiming to reunite with family members already residing in Kenya. WHAT PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT MOVING TO KENYA NEGLECTING VISA REQUIREMENTS One common mistake is failing to understand visa requirements before moving. Ensure you have the correct visa type for your purpose of stay, as working or studying without the appropriate visa can lead to legal issues. UNDERESTIMATING LIVING COSTS Many newcomers underestimate the cost of living, especially in Nairobi. It's important to research and budget for housing, transportation, and daily expenses to avoid financial strain. IGNORING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES Adjusting to cultural differences can be challenging. Take the time to learn about local customs and practices to ease your transition and build positive relationships with locals. SOURCES & REFERENCES FOR KENYA Country data is a planning aid. Official government sources override MigrantIQ summaries for immigration, legal, tax, health, and emergency rules. * MigrantIQ country profile Summary profile maintained for planning. Last updated 2026-05-07. * World Bank and public data sources Used for economic and country-level indicators where available. * Numbeo and public cost datasets Used for cost-of-living signals for Kenya where available. FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN KENYA 115 active diplomatic missions in our directory. Sample listings below. * Consulate of Italy in Malindi, Kenya [/embassies/mission/italy-in-kenya-malindi-consulate/] — 🇮🇹 Italy, Malindi * Consulate of Austria in Mombasa, Kenya [/embassies/mission/austria-in-kenya-mombasa-consulate/] — 🇦🇹 Austria, Mombasa * Consulate of Belgium in Mombasa, Kenya [/embassies/mission/belgium-in-kenya-mombasa-consulate/] — 🇧🇪 Belgium, Mombasa * Consulate of Denmark in Mombasa, Kenya [/embassies/mission/denmark-in-kenya-mombasa-consulate/] — 🇩🇰 Denmark, Mombasa * Consulate of Finland in Mombasa, Kenya [/embassies/mission/finland-in-kenya-mombasa-consulate/] — 🇫🇮 Finland, Mombasa Browse all embassies in Kenya → [/embassies/in/kenya/] Important — not legal or government advice MigrantIQ lists diplomatic missions for planning reference only. We are not a government service. Contact details may be incomplete or outdated — always confirm appointments, fees, and requirements on the official mission website or your destination government portal before you travel or apply. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report inaccurate data [/contact/] Feedback Was this guide helpful? Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority. YesNo Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING TO KENYA WHAT TYPES OF VISAS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MOVING TO KENYA? Kenya offers various visa options, including Business/Investor Visas, Class A/B for Mining/Agriculture, Class C for Prescribed Professions, and Class D for Formal Employment. Research the specific requirements for each visa type to determine which one suits your needs. HOW IS THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN KENYA? Kenya has a mixed healthcare system, with both public and private facilities. However, access to healthcare for immigrants can be limited, so securing health coverage as soon as possible is advisable. WHAT IS THE TYPICAL SALARY IN KENYA? The typical net monthly salary in Kenya is KES 2082. This figure can vary widely depending on the industry and location, so research salary expectations in your specific field. RELATED KENYA GUIDES Visa Kenya Visa Hub Read guide → [/visas/kenya/]Legal Kenya Laws Read guide → [/laws/kenya/]Safety Kenya Scam Alerts Read guide → [/scam-alerts/kenya/]Checklist Kenya Arrival Checklist Read guide → [/checklist/kenya/]Blog Migration blog Read guide → [/blog/] VISA OPTIONS 19 published * Business / Investor Visa [/visas/kenya/business-investor/]business * Family / Spouse Visa [/visas/kenya/family-spouse/]family * Class A/B — Mining/Agriculture (Investor) [/visas/kenya/class-a-b-mining-agriculture-investor/]migration * Class C — Prescribed Professions (Specialist) [/visas/kenya/class-c-prescribed-professions-specialist/]migration * Class D — Formal Employment (Skilled Worker) [/visas/kenya/class-d-formal-employment-skilled-worker/]migration * Class F — Manufacturing [/visas/kenya/class-f-manufacturing/]migration * Class G — Business / Self-Employment [/visas/kenya/class-g-business-self-employment/]migration * Class G Permit (Investor) [/visas/kenya/class-g-permit-investor/]migration * Class K — Retiree [/visas/kenya/class-k-retiree/]migration * Digital Nomad (via Class D or G) [/visas/kenya/digital-nomad-via-class-d-or-g/]migration * Seasonal / Short-Term Work Permit [/visas/kenya/seasonal-short-term-work-permit/]migration * Permanent Residence [/visas/kenya/permanent-residence/]residency * Permanent Residency / Settlement [/visas/kenya/permanent-residency/]residency * Student Visa [/visas/kenya/student/]Student * Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) [/visas/kenya/eta-tourist/]tourist View all 19 visa options → [/visas/kenya/] KEY LAWS * Work Authorisation Rules [/laws/kenya/work-authorisation-rules/]critical * Immigration Status and Overstay Rules [/laws/kenya/immigration-status-and-overstay-rules/]critical * Tax Residency and Income Reporting [/laws/kenya/tax-residency-and-income-reporting/]high * Housing Contract and Deposit Rules [/laws/kenya/housing-contract-and-deposit-rules/]medium ACTIVE SCAM ALERTS * Document Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge [/scam-alerts/kenya/document-translation-notary-overcharge/]medium * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/kenya/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/]medium * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/kenya/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/]medium Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. Open My Plan [/plan/]Account Dashboard [/account/] Free resources TOOLS & GUIDES Full sitemap → [/sitemap/] PLAN YOUR MOVE * Eligibility quiz [/tools/eligibility/] * Tax calculator [/tools/tax-calculator/] * Tax compare [/tools/tax-compare/] * Tax guides [/tools/tax-guides/] * Points calculator [/tools/points-calculator/] * Cost calculator [/calculator/] * Move planner [/tools/planner/] * Best country [/tools/best-country/] * Pathway finder [/tools/pathway-finder/] * Corridor fit [/tools/corridor-fit/] * Compare 3 countries [/tools/compare-three/] * Job → visa matcher [/tools/job-visa-match/] * Scam checker [/tools/scam-check/] * All tools [/tools/] GUIDES & SAFETY * Visa guides [/visas/] * Scholarships [/scholarships/] * Government jobs [/government-jobs/] * Immigration updates [/countries/canada/immigration-updates/] * Embassies [/embassies/] * Laws [/laws/] * Scam alerts [/scam-alerts/] * Checklists [/checklist/] * Country profiles [/countries/] COMMUNITY * Q&A [/qa/] * People stories [/stories/] * Blog [/blog/] * Android app (Google Play) [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en] * Write for us [/write-for-us/] * Experts [/experts/] * Apply for expert listing [/experts/apply/] * Documentation [/documentation/] * Employers (HR) [/employers/] ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","logo":"https://migrantiq.com/logo.png","description":"MigrantIQ publishes free migration guides covering visas, laws, costs, culture, banking, healthcare, scam alerts, and moving checklists for 220 countries.","knowsAbout":["immigration","visa requirements","moving abroad","cost of living","immigrant laws","scam protection","arrival checklists"],"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/migrantiq/","https://x.com/MigrantIQ","https://www.instagram.com/migrantiqorg/","https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en"],"contactPoint":[{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"Info@MigrantIQ.com","url":"https://migrantiq.com/contact/","availableLanguage":["English"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#website","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","publisher":{"@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://migrantiq.com/search/?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://migrantiq.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Countries","item":"https://migrantiq.com/countries/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Kenya","item":"https://migrantiq.com/countries/kenya/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/countries/kenya/#webpage","name":"Moving to Kenya: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide","description":"Moving to Kenya can be a good option for families and individuals looking for work, study, or family reunification. 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