Visas
Most visitors do require visas to enter Kenya. Visas should be obtained from a Kenyan embassy or
consulate in your country or from a British embassy where
there is no Kenyan diplomatic representation. Visa
applications should be made at least thirty days prior to
the date of departure. On arrival in Kenya passports are stamped with a visitor’s pass for a specified period, extendable
(if there is no objection) from the Immigration Department
in Nairobi or Mombasa respectively. Visas for Tanzania can be obtained at crossings along our common border but
please confirm details with their High Commission.
Business and Banking Hours
Most banks in the major urban centers have a Bureau
de Change. Banks are open between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00
p.m. Monday through Friday and between 9.00 a.m. and 11.00
a.m. on the first and last Saturday of the month.
Branches of banks at the Jomo Kenyatta and Moi International
Airports extend their opening hours beyond those specified
above but differ from bank to bank. Forex bureaus
from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9.00 a.m.
to 1.00p.m. on Saturdays and do not charge commission.
Hotels are also authorized to transact in foreign currency.
Offices in Kenya are generally open between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00p.m. Monday
to Friday.
Public
Holidays
1st January (New year’s Day), February/March
(Idd Ill Fitr)*, March/April (Good Friday/Easter Monday)**,
1st May (Labour Day), 1st June (Madaraka
Day), 10th October (Moi Day), 20th
October (Kenyatta Day), 12th December (Jamhuri
Day), 25th December (Christmas Day, 26th
December (Boxing Day).
*The Muslim Festival Idd Ul Fitr
is also a public holiday which is declared according to
the sighting of the moon.
** The dates for Easter holidays
vary from year to year.
Train
Kenya Railways operates a train service between Nairobi and Mombasa. Nairobi to Mombasa departures are scheduled
on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while Mombasa to Nairobi
is on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Trains are also
available between Nairobi and Kisumu. The journeys
are generally overnight.
Security
In keeping with the acceptable practice worldwide,
visitors are advised not to leave cash and valuables in
their hotel rooms but to make use of hotel safe deposit
boxes or safes. Visitors should not carry large sums
of money on their person while walking on the streets.
Lady visitors are advised to be careful with their handbags
in crowded places and busy streets. Necklaces and
jewellery should be left at home or kept in the hotel custody.
As in all major cities walking at night alone should be avoided.
Never leave valuables on show in unattended car or tour
bus. Kenya has an efficient police force as well as special tourist
police unit with highly trained officers. Most hotels
also employ experienced security personnel but you must
take the precautions you would anywhere else in the world.
Currency
These are no restrictions on the foreign exchange you may
bring into the country. You are also allowed to take
a limited amount of Kenya. For large amounts, however, you require written authorization
from the Central Bank of Kenya. Defacement of the Kenyan currency is an indictable
offence. The unit of the currency is the Kenya shilling. It is recommended that you change your foreign
currency in banks, forex bureaus or authorized hotels.
Surplus Kenya currency should be changed into foreign currency prior to
departure. Credit cards are accepted in many establishments.
Electricity
Electricity in Kenya is 220/240 volts. Sockets are usually 3 pins square.
For appliances operating on another voltage please bring
an adaptor.
Departure
Formalities
On departure, an International Airport departure
tax is payable for both domestic and international flights
but is usually added to the fare when purchasing your air
ticket unless otherwise specified. There are duty
free shops at International airports but purchases are made
only in convertible currencies. Customs officials
may require the inspection of outgoing baggage. All
baggage is weighed and subjected to x-ray inspection before
loading.
Language
English is the official language and is mainly spoken
in the urban centers while Kiswahili is the national language
and is spoken countrywide.
