Most international flights into Nairobi come through Addis, Doha, Dubai, or Amsterdam, which means by the time you clear JKIA customs and collect your bags you’ve been in transit for a while. Here’s what to set up in the first 48 hours, in order of priority.
Order groceries to be delivered
Since COVID-19, delivery has become much easier in Nairobi and this includes groceries. Honestly, nowadays I mostly order my groceries delivered since I get so overwhelmed by in-person grocery shopping and I hate waiting in queues. Conveniently for new arrivals to Nairobi, grocery delivery doesn’t require local cash or M-Pesa since all the main apps take credit cards. The most straightforward is the Carrefour app (MAF Carrefour), which has good coverage across Nairobi and a wide enough range that you can stock a kitchen without much effort. If you want better quality produce, Greenspoon is worth it (a bit pricier, but genuinely good). Naivas also delivers now, though I haven’t tried their delivery service personally yet. Just download their apps on the app store, add your credit card and you can deliver!
Get a Safaricom SIM card
If you’re only here for a few days, an e-SIM through Airalo gets you data without queuing, though it gets expensive fast in Kenya for some reason. For anything longer than a week, just go to a Safaricom shop and get a physical SIM. The cost is low, and it gives you access to M-Pesa, which is the mobile payment system that runs basically everything in Kenya: paying rent, splitting a bill at a restaurant, buying curios at a local vendor, etc.
Bring your passport since you can’t get a SIM without it.
RE: which branch to go to: the Junction Mall and Yaya Centre Safaricom shops regularly have super long queues out the door. The one I always recommend is inside Lavington Mall (Lavington Green), which I think consistently has the shortest wait. Go during the workday, not at 5pm.
Getting around
Uber is ubiquitous here, affordable, and you can pay by credit card, so download it before you land and you’re set. Bolt also works and is useful as a backup when Uber surges. The drivers I talk to tend to prefer Uber (the pay is marginally better they say), but both are fine.
Worth knowing: Uber fares in Kenya are low, and what the platform pays drivers alone isn’t much. If someone drives you well, tip them.
If you’d rather have a fixed price and a driver holding your name when you land, there are companies that do pre-booked airport transfers well. If you’re comfortable with Uber, just use Uber. But for a first arrival, a driver holding your name is a genuinely better start.
Quick answers
Do I need M-Pesa right away?
Not immediately. Uber and the grocery apps take credit cards, so you can manage the first day without it. But you’ll want to get a SIM early to be able to use data on the go and register for M-Pesa while you’re at the Safaricom shop.
Can I get a Safaricom SIM at the airport?
Yes, there are kiosks at JKIA arrivals. The lines can be long and the experience isn’t always smooth (and you’ll probably be SO tired). I recommend going to Lavington Mall during the workday.
Do I need Kenyan shillings when I arrive?
While it’s helpful to have a bit of cash (there are ATMs at the airport that you can use), you can get further than you’d expect without cash. Uber, grocery delivery, and most larger restaurants and cafes all take credit cards. You’ll want shillings for markets and street food eventually, but it’s not urgent on day one.
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