How to get Around Nairobi: My Advice as a Local

When you arrive in Kenya for your African safari, you may have a few days to spare before starting your Safari and you might want to take a tour of the city to take in the sights and sounds Nairobi. So one thing you may have asked yourself is how to get around Nairobi. I have lived in Thika town, one hour from Nairobi’s central business district, and thought it would be helpful to share my experience and perspective as a local.

The best way to get around Nairobi as a newcomer is through Rideshare apps like Uber Lyft or Taxify which are popular and abundant in Kenya. Using this means as a newcomer is more safe and convenient than using public transport and more economical than hiring a vehicle. In this article, I will discuss the different ways of getting around Nairobi and why many may be either unsuitable or dangerous.

Don’t walk

Walking around Nairobi as a foreigner may be ok within the Central business district but can get you in trouble in any of the outskirts. 

Many of the outskirts of Nairobi and some streets within the Central business district are unsafe for you if you are new to the city.

Don’t use public transport

Public transport vehicles in Kenya, better known as Matatus are notorious for a lot of things. One of the biggest is security. I have a lot of friends who have lost phones in Matatus as a result of pickpockets. 

The biggest security risks when it comes to traveling by Matatu are:

1. Pickpocketing: Public transport in Nairobi will come with crowding which provides perfect cover for a pickpocket. If you ever have to use public transport in Nairobi, you will need to stay alert or as we put it in Swahili “kaa chonjo”. Keep your stuff (backpack, handbag, luggage) where you can see them. You will also need to stay aware of any movements on your pockets especially if you have a wallet. 
2. Road accidents: Matatus are notorious for breaking traffic rules. From overspending to overloading, Matatus put their passengers at risk and accidents happen. The majority of road accidents in Kenya happen with Matatus. (here is a WHO report I found about traffic accidents in Kenya)
3. Conmen: as a foreigner, you will be thought to be an easy target by conmen. Some of these may pose as people in need of assistance and may fool you into giving them money.

Because of their safety record, most foreigners don’t Matatus to get around Nairobi. Some use them for long-distance trips like going to the Kenyan coast.

Is all public transport in Nairobi bad?

Despite the bad reputation of the entire public transport industry, not all of them are bad. If you have to take public transport in Nairobi, use buses from the following companies:

1. KBS (Kenya Bus Service)
2. Double M 
3. City Hoppa
4. City Shuttle
5. Modern Coast. (This is a long-distance bus If you’re going to the coast )

Don’t cycle

Cycling is not for you as a foreigner. The amount of risk you expose yourself to is not worth it. The risks involved include

• Getting hit by a misbehaving matatu
• Getting mugged if you enter a risky alley
• Getting in trouble with the police for not observing traffic rules

These risks are very real in most parts of Nairobi for you as a foreigner.

Taxis may be a hustle

I would like to differentiate a regular taxi from a vehicle from a ride-sharing app. Traditional taxis in Kenya are generally unregulated and sometimes considered unsafe. The reason for this is that many of these vehicles are owned and operated by car owners who are not yet vetted inspected or insured. 

Using this kind of taxi is definitely safer than going by public transport, but they do not offer the same security and peace of mind that riding with a vehicle from ride-sharing app has. 

Hiring a car is for you if

The next alternative for getting around in Nairobi will be to hire a vehicle for the length of time that you will be staying in Nairobi. 

While this may be a really good option if you’re going to be staying in Nairobi for a long time, the hassle you have to go through to get a license in order to legally drive in Kenya may not be worth it if you will be Nairobi for just a few days. I wrote an article on whether foreigners are allowed to drive in Kenya. You can check it out and see the details on what it takes to drive on Kenyan roads as a foreigner. 

Ridesharing apps: The best way to get around Nairobi

The very best way of getting around Nairobi as a foreigner is through vehicles from ride-sharing apps like Uber Lyft or Taxify. These taxi-hailing apps are popular in Kenya and are abundant within Nairobi. 

There are a number of reasons why this is the best way to get around Nairobi and here they are: 

1. Background checks: all the taxi-hailing applications do extensive background checks for all their drivers. This helps to weed out any bad elements.
2. Lower fares: going with an uber will cost you less than a traditional taxi. It is also more economical than hiring your own vehicle.
3. Newer vehicles: You will generally be riding in newer and cleaner vehicles if you use Uber Lyft or Taxify in Nairobi. It’s one of their requirements for qualifying new drivers. 
4. Friendly drivers: since all the drivers are looking for a good rating, they have an incentive to be friendly and treat you, as their passenger, kindly.
5. Greater security: You are able to share your exact location with your family members or friends when you board one of these vehicles. This helps to keep the driver accountable and you safe.
6. Greater convenience: Since you are not responsible for the vehicle you will not have to worry about things like parking or fuelling. You only use the vehicle when you need it and don’t have to worry about it when you don’t.

Tips on staying safe when traveling around Nairobi

1. Keep your wits about you: be aware of your surroundings at all times and keep an eye on any suspicious activity near you. Just been aware reduces the chances of anything happening.
2. Do not carry more than you need: leave anything that you do not need behind at your hotel room. 
3. Carry a pocket-sized camera: if you’re going to be walking around Nairobi streets carry a camera that can fit in your pocket or use your phone for photography. Carrying a camera around your neck will alert anyone around you that you are a tourist. If you have to use a big camera like a DSLR, carry it in your camera bag and hang the bag in front of you when you’re walking.
4. Don’t be flashy: you do not want to call attention to yourself when walking in Nairobi’s Streets. For this reason, avoid any flashy jewelry. 
5. Carry a money belt: don’t carry your money and passport in a handbag or in your pockets put it on a money belt that is concealed. This will reduce the chances of you getting pickpocketed.
6. Have your valuables where you can see them: when in busy restaurants or in a place where you’re seated, place your things where you can see them. 
7. Don’t hang around street crowds: try to stay away from any crowds especially on the streets. This is because crowds that are standing are the perfect environment for pickpockets
8. Avoid sketchy neighborhoods: avoid going to any of the poorer neighborhoods in Nairobi. These include places like
   1. Kayole
   2. Githurai
   3. Kibera
   4. Mathare

Conclusion

Out of the many travel options available in Nairobi, the best one, in my opinion, is using a vehicle from a taxi-hailing app if you will be spending just a few days in the city. All the other means are either too unsafe, unreliable or expensive for a tourist. If you are coming to stay, you can use Uber for a while as you get your road license and plan to buy your own vehicle.

A Final Word

As you prepare for your trip to Africa, I would like to recommend a few products that would help make your life easier. 

1. Information About Africa: I have created a YouTube channel that focuses on things about traveling to Africa that only Africans can tell you about. Check out the channel for insights about African culture and things you can do as a traveler to optimize your trip. You should also visit TripAdvisor forum posts (Here is the Kenya Forum) and ask questions about your particular situation. There are a lot of people who are happy to help you out. 
2. Choosing a Safari Company: I have written an extensive article on how to choose a safari Company. You can. Check it out before starting the process of searching for a safari company.
3. Safari Planning Services: If you’d rather leave the planning to an expert, I offer personalized safari planning services. I handle everything from helping you choose the right safari company, creating your custom itinerary, managing bookings, and even providing a packing list and reminders for important trip details. It’s like having a personal assistant dedicated to your trip, ensuring that everything runs smoothly, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure. Learn More in this article