Post Report for Nairobi (Kenya)
Updated: December 2012
Complete revision: November 2012
These notes are for the personal use of officers and their spouses. They should not be shown to people other than Government employees, nor left lying around. UNCLASSIFIED
Post Report for Nairobi (Kenya) Updated: December 2012
Table of Contents Table of Contents ...... 2 Introduction ...... 4 Country: Kenya ...... 4 People ...... 4 Language ...... 5 City: Nairobi...... 6 Mission ...... 7 Living Conditions ...... 8 Overview ...... 8 Security ...... 8 Equality and diversity ...... 9 Post hardship rating ...... 10 Health at Post ...... 11 Accommodation ...... 12 Overview ...... 12 Proximity to Schools ...... 12 Personal Statement to the Housing Committee ...... 12 Housing on Arrival/Transit Accommodation ...... 12 Consider a Recce Visit ...... 13 Family ...... 14 Unmarried Partners ...... 14 Diplomatic Service Family Association (DSFA) ...... 14 DSFA Going Abroad Adviser ...... 15 Spouse Sponsorship Scheme (FCO)...... 15 DFID Partner Sponsorship Compensation Allowance ...... 15 Spouse/Partner Working Opportunities ...... 16 Childcare ...... 16 Local Education Facilities ...... 17 Map showing location of schools ...... 17 Kindergarten Schools ...... 18 Primary/Prep Schools ...... 18 Secondary Schools ...... 18 Tertiary College ...... 18 Recreation Facilities and Options ...... 19 Official Amenities ...... 19 Clubs in Nairobi ...... 19 Societies/Activity Clubs ...... 19 Eating Out ...... 20 Nightlife ...... 20 Sporting Activities ...... 20 Photography ...... 21 Libraries ...... 21 Local travel opportunities and restrictions ...... 21 Page 2 of 43
Post Report for Nairobi (Kenya) Updated: December 2012
Media ...... 23 Newspapers, Books and Magazines ...... 23 Television and Radio ...... 23 Mobile Phones and Internet ...... 24 Annex A – The Big Picture ...... 25 Annex B – Practicalities ...... 28 Annex C - List of Approved Schools in Nairobi ...... 41
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Post Report for Nairobi (Kenya) Updated: December 2012
Introduction
Country: Kenya
The name Kenya is derived from the Kikuyu name for Mount Kenya –Kirinyaga, meaning „Mountain of Brightness‟.
Kenya, known since 1963 as the Republic of Kenya, straddles the Equator on the East Coast of Africa. It covers an area of over 225,000 square miles (slightly larger than France), encompassing considerable geographical variety, desert, jungle, mountains, moorlands, savannah and rich green farming country.
Kenya can be roughly divided into four main zones: Coastal Belt, Rift Valley and Central Highlands, Western Kenya and Northern and Eastern Kenya.
The coastal belt is a narrow strip along the Indian Ocean. It has some beautiful white sandy beaches. Directly behind the coastline, the land is low-lying and relatively fertile but it rises quickly towards the central plateau.
The Rift Valley and Central Highlands form the backbone of Kenya and provide some of its most spectacular scenery. The Rift Valley is a natural fault, bisecting Kenya roughly from North to South with numerous lakes and volcanic cones along its length. To the east of the Rift Valley the land rises to the Aberdare Mountains and then further east to Mount Kenya - Africa‟s second highest mountain standing on its own at 5,199 metres. Nairobi, the capital sits at the southern end of the Central Highlands.
Western Kenya is an undulating plateau stretching from the Rift Valley to the border with Uganda and down to the shores of Lake Victoria. Most of this area is intensively cultivated apart from the barren North and the scrubland on the Southern border with Tanzania. It is in this scrubland that Kenya‟s most popular wildlife parks, the Maasai Mara and Amboseli are situated.
North and east of Mount Kenya there is a vast tract of scrub and desert leading up to the borders with Somalia and Ethiopia. This region is sparsely populated and barely touched by the modern world. Kenya‟s main towns are Nairobi, Mombasa on the Coast, Kisumu on Lake Victoria and Eldoret in the Rift Valley.
Kenya is bordered by five countries and two bodies of water, Ethiopia and Sudan to the north, Uganda and Lake Victoria to the west, Tanzania to the south; and Somalia and the Indian Ocean to the east.
People
The famous anthropological discoveries of the Leakey family have earned the Rift Valley the title of the „Cradle of Mankind‟. Hominoid skulls found around Lake Turkana and Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania suggest the existence in this area of Homo Habilis, an early ancestor that gave rise to modern man.
The presence of a large diversity of tribal groups in Kenya is evidence that the country has been a major migratory pathway over the years. The first wave of immigrants were the tall, nomadic Cushitic speaking people of Ethiopia who moved south from present day Ethiopia in 2000 BC.
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Changing climatic conditions forced these pastoralists to follow good grazing land as far south as central Tanzania. They were followed around 1000 BC by the Eastern Cushitics who occupied most of central Kenya.
The rest of Kenya‟s ancestors arrived from all over Africa, mainly between 500 BC and 500 AD. The Bantu group (Kikuyu, Kisii, Kamba and Meru) arrived from West Africa and the Nilotic speakers (such as Maasai, Luo, Samburu and Turkana) came from the Nile valley in Southern Sudan. The migration and rivalry for land continued right up to the 20th century, and still lies behind some ethnic tension in the country today.
From 700 AD, Muslims from the Arabian peninsula began to visit the East African Coast. They developed a large trading network and began to settle and inter-marry, establishing a string of Islamic-influenced coastal towns along the entire East African coast.
Kenya‟s current population of more than 41.6 million (2011 World Bank) is divided into 42 tribal groups. There are also significant white and Asian Kenyan minorities. It is estimated that there are approx.30-34 thousand British nationals residing in Kenya. The highly populated tribes in Kenya are:-
Kikuyu: the largest tribe, representing about one fifth of the indigenous population, including the current President, Mwai Kibaki, live mostly in the Central Province.
Luhya: live mainly in Western Kenya up to and over the Ugandan border.
Luo: live mainly in the populous area near Lake Victoria.
Kamba: live east and south east of Nairobi.
Kalenjin: a grouping of various sub-tribes who all speak a similar language. This includes the Kipsigis, Nandi and Tugen sub tribes who are predominant in the Rift Valley Province.
Smaller tribes include the Kisii, Samburu, ethnic Somalis, and the well-known Masai.
The Asian Community plays a significant part in Kenya‟s economy. The European community includes British settlers under the colonial government who subsequently took Kenyan Citizenship. The majority of Kenyans live in rural areas but there is a growing urban population. This includes wealthy elite, a growing middle class and a large group of low-income earners living in shanty towns.
Language
Swahili and English are the official languages of Kenya but while English is taught in schools, not all Kenyans are fluent. Virtually all Kenyans speak their tribal language.
It is not essential to speak Swahili but it can be rewarding to learn the basics especially when visiting more rural areas and the coast. It is not a difficult language and learning it will provide a greater understanding of Kenyans and their culture.
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City: Nairobi
Nairobi lies just over 300 miles from the Indian Ocean, at an altitude of about 5,600 feet above sea level. Founded only at the turn of the 20th century, and made the capital of the territory in 1905, it now has a population of approx.4 million and is the largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg. Most of the population is African drawn from all parts of Kenya; there is also a large Asian and European community.
Nairobi is the leading commercial and shopping centre in East Africa. Long known as the Green City in the sun, it has a fast changing skyline. The business and professional area of the city is spaciously laid out with fairly modern blocks of offices and shops. Other parts of Central Nairobi are rather older.
Nairobi has attractive suburbs, some dating from the 1920's, which still have a high proportion of European and Asian residents. It also has slum areas and shanty towns. There are a growing number of housing estates for middle income earners in the industrial and commuter areas. Standard time is GMT + 3 hours
For current local time visit http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=125
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Post Report for Nairobi (Kenya) Updated: December 2012
Mission
Post Title address: British High Commission
The preferred method of Upper Hill Road communication with post PO Box 30465 is by fax or e-mail 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: 284 4000 International Dialling Code +254 20 followed by the No. required. If calling a mobile No. delete the first 0 of the mobile No. FTN Code 8300 + extension Fax: 284 4088 E-mail [email protected] Web site www.ukinkenya.fco.gov.uk Visit our blog at http://blogs.fco.gov.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/ukinkenya
Director of Corporate Services: Fran Gristock Corporate Services Manager: Gary Fisher CLO‟s: Judith Alabaster/Kalpana Thomas
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 0715 – 1600 Friday 0745– 1300 (optional flexi hours)
The High Commission is located in a modern, purpose-built building, in a secure compound on a hill close to the city centre. The Department for International Development, Kenya and Somalia offices share the building. The British Council are also our neighbours.
In November 2012, the High Commission had 100 + UK staff from approximately 14 different government departments and 200+ LE staff, including some spouses and other expatriates. There are also approximately 124 children and young adults ranging from newborn to 17 years.
The mission is continuing to grow and is expected to rise to over a total of 350 staff by April 2013.
The normal tour length is 3 years (C4 and above have an optional 4th year) – and many staff apply for extensions.
Christian Turner is the current High Commissioner, with Dave Hall as DHM external and Fran Gristock as DHM internal jointly covering the usual DHM functions. John Murton, will take over the re-instated DHC role, wef April 2013. A Senior Leadership Team, made up of senior Heads of Sections, covers wider cross-departmental issues in the mission. Matt Baugh is the non–resident Ambassador to Somalia based at the High Commission. Alistair Fernie is Head of Office for DFID Kenya and Joanna Reid is Head of Office for DFID Somalia.
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Living Conditions
Overview
Life in Nairobi can be pleasant. Staff accommodation is generally good. Shopping is straightforward. Restaurants and bars abound. There is a large expatriate community, together with many long-term residents with whom staff can mix. Kenya is an international tourist destination with many attractions in-country. It is also a travel hub so it is easy to travel within the region or to destinations further afield.
It suffers from the social problems typical of most of Africa. Unemployment and crime rates are high. Municipal services can be erratic, though they generally function reasonably well. There are periodic water shortages, power cuts and telephone breakdowns and poor internet connections. The principal streets are fairly clean, though the pavements can be an obstacle course and the condition of most roads varies from average to poor. Traffic can be horrendous, though probably no worse than many cities worldwide.
Security
Kenya has a poor reputation for security with incidents of street crime, violent robberies, kidnapping, burglary and car- jacking, especially on unlit streets. But with sensible precautions these risks can be minimised. Properties meet the FCO duty of care for staff safety and include secure keeps and alarms which are monitored 24/7. Post employs private security companies to provide static home security, a rapid response to incidents and will also provide a mobile security escort service to staff and their families. All staff and their spouses receive a security brief on arrival in Post. Having made a major investment in security, we have experienced few serious incidents in recent years. Statistically, gated compounds are safer than individual properties and the High Commission is moving staff to such compounds where possible.
There is a high terrorist threat. Kenya Defence Force is heavily involved in African efforts to stabilise neighbouring Somalia which means there is the threat of terrorist attacks within Kenya‟s borders. Post assessment is that the threat is against established infrastructure and not against individual officers or their families.
Security Awareness in Fragile Environments (SAFE) course plus CP Module: this is the merging of the Het (Hostile Environments Training) course and the Security in High Threat Posts course. It is strongly recommended for Posts where there is a real threat to the personal security of the staff therefore officers are highly recommended to undertake this course before arriving at post. Staff working on Kenya needs to take the SAFE course whereas those working on Somalia need to undertake the SAFE plus CP Module.
Security Awareness in Fragile Environments for spouses, partners and dependants (SAFE SPD) this is a two day course held in the OAB for spouses, partners and dependants (14 years old+) who will be accompanying officers to a post where there is a high crime and /or terrorism threat. This is highly recommended before arrival at post.
Overseas Security Manager – Ernest Tucker Deputy Security Officer – Lisa Pearson
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Equality and diversity
All UK departments represented at post are committed to equal opportunities and there is no visible Kenyan persecution or discrimination based on age, race, sex or religion although there is under-representation of women and minority groups in the higher echelons of government and corporations. Nairobi's population is very racially diverse and this is reflected in the High Commission's workforce.
Kenyans are by nature outgoing and welcoming people, but their culture is socially conservative and formal. While it is socially accepted that unmarried couples live together such relationships are not covered under Kenyan law. Same sex relationships are illegal, although prosecution is rare; such relationships are not generally socially tolerated and are considered taboo in the Kenyan cultural setting. The High Commission (HC) is committed to supporting LGBT officers, including by doing all it can to secure the admission of same-sex partners into the country for the duration of a posting. But anyone wishing to bring a same sex partner to Kenya should be aware of prevalent Kenyan attitudes and the legal situation and therefore the chance of encountering difficulties during their posting in Kenya. i.e. difficulty in securing full diplomatic status and permits. Please refer to the Family Section on page 12 for more details.
Gender reassigned officers will find it difficult to be open about their reassignment to local staff, and the Kenyan public, as it will be regarded in the same light as being gay. This may impact the officer operationally and privately.
Religion is very important in the Kenyan society. Kenya is a multi-faith and tolerant society. It is illegal to discriminate on grounds of religion or belief. However, being openly agnostic or atheist would make local people uncomfortable. Christianity is widespread with Anglicans, Catholics, Evangelicals and Born Again Christians living side by side with Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and traditionalists (such as witchdoctors). The HC does not have a prayer room but will accommodated religious beliefs.
Race is not likely to be a significant issue for officers living in Nairobi, either at work or socially. There are some inter-tribal and local prejudices and the current security situation has drawn out some Kenyan animosity towards on the Somali community. This is not an issue within the High Commission and in general Kenya, and particularly Nairobi, is racially diverse. Mixed race marriages are not uncommon and local attitudes to race do not impact on an officer‟s social life.
The BHC office buildings and facilities are currently not fully accessible for staff with disabilities. There are some provisions across the estate such as ramps, disabled toilets and lifts accessible to wheelchair users and there are some limited accommodation options suitable for wheelchairs. If you have a disability, which might require modifying office and/or residential accommodation, please inform Corporate Services as soon as the posting is confirmed. Disabled access is not, unfortunately, much of a consideration in most buildings in Nairobi nor throughout Kenya so it would be a difficult post for those with some disability. Most public buildings such as hotels, cinemas, restaurants and offices are not wheelchair-friendly. Public transport is also inaccessible for people with disabilities so a car is essential.
Officers with a disability are advised to contact the Disability and Support Team (DPST) as soon as their posting is agreed, so that an assessment can be made of the Reasonable Adjustments needed for the posting. Officers who have a family member with a disability should contact the DSFA Special Needs and Disability Adviser. If you have a disability that necessitates any adaptations to your accommodation, please inform the CSM as soon as your posting is agreed.
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With regards to pregnancy and maternity, this is a non confinement post as neo natal and ICU facilities are not to the same standard as the UK, however, there are some very good paediatric facilities. Most of the shopping malls and international hotels have baby changing facilities but no dedicated breastfeeding rooms.
For more information on any of these areas or with specific questions please contact Fran Gristock - Director of Corporate Services [email protected]
Post hardship rating
Nairobi qualifies for Difficult Post Allowance, mostly because of the crime and terrorist threat. Nairobi also currently qualifies for an Additional Journey to enable staff and families to take a break outside the country. Officers also receive 7 days additional leave per annum. Hardship ratings are reviewed in January each year and amended in line with post hardship scores. Changes in ratings can affect leave entitlements. Staff are advised not to add any OLA to Prism until the table for the year has been published.
For an explanation of the Additional Journey Scheme, see FCO Guidance Volume 4, Chapter 7, available on the FCONet www.fconet.fco.gov.uk or for DFID insight/people/working- overseas/travel-benefits/pages/flexible-travel
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Health at Post
The post employs a part time nurse. The Regional Medical Advisor (a UK GP) is based in the clinic as well, but travels frequently in the region. There is a panel of local GPs and specialists that staff can use. The BHC clinic is located near the main reception area of the mission and is open on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning between 7.30am am and 12.30pm.
The facility offers first line medical treatment to all UK based officers and their families. All vaccinations are available. Routine surgical procedures are performed in the UK. Confinements normally take place in the UK.
Vaccinations against Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, Diphtheria, Meningitis, Rabies, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and BCG are recommended. However, you should contact the Healthcare provider in London for up-to-date information (Healix is the current Healthcare provider). It is important to contact the Healthcare provider at least 8 weeks before departure, so that appropriate vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis can be given. Children will also require some vaccinations prior to a Posting. Yellow fever vaccination is no longer available at the BHC clinic, but can be accessed at a reliable nearby hospital.
Stomach complaints and colds can be fairly frequent.
Nairobi is free of malaria. Those travelling outside the city are advised to take prophylaxis which can be supplied by the clinic. On official travel the office will fund the cost of the medication.
Nairobi is at altitude and some people find it difficult to sleep when they arrive. Others suffer extreme tiredness or notice a difference when playing sport. These effects usually become less noticeable as you acclimatise. It is advisable to check with Medical & Welfare Unit in London if you have a medical condition which you think may be affected by the altitude.
Post holds a list of recommended doctors, dentists and specialists in Nairobi. Nairobi Hospital is situated close to the office and is well equipped to deal with most emergencies or illnesses with the advantage of the laboratory close by. Outside of Nairobi the standard of medical facilities is generally poor. There is a Flying Doctor Air Ambulance service to which the High Commission has corporate membership. It is also possible to borrow a comprehensive medical kit when travelling out of Nairobi.
Pharmacies are well stocked although it is advisable to carry three months supply of any routine medication when arriving at post. The medical panel includes several dentists including orthodontists with modern Western equipment and sterilisation equipment.
AIDS is established and spreading in Kenya. HMG‟s advice on avoiding the risk of infection in UK applies equally, if not more so. Blood used in transfusions at the Aga Khan and Nairobi Hospital is screened against AIDS and is generally described as "safe". However, blood taken from someone in the early stages of HIV positive infection may not show as "positive" when tested. They could therefore slip through the net, here as elsewhere. Post holds a list of UK based officers and spouses willing to donate blood in an emergency.
The FCO have issued a Charter of principles on HIV/AIDS, which include awareness, prevention, and management of those with HIV. If possible an awareness course on HIV/AIDS would be beneficial prior to travel. For those who want more details, copies of the full report and guidance are available from Health and Welfare in London. Page 11 of 43
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Accommodation
Overview
The High Commission owns over 40 houses mainly in the Lavington, Westlands, Loresho, Spring Valley and Riverside areas of Nairobi. This includes Gitanga Estate where the High Commission‟s Recreational Amenities, including a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis court and a small playground are located. Accommodation on the Gitanga Estate is prioritised towards families with young children, who will benefit most from these facilities.
In addition there are around 80 rented properties located in the same areas. Types of accommodation range from apartments to townhouses with small gardens to bungalows with good sized gardens on compounds.
The maintenance and upkeep of the owned and rented estate is carried out by the Technical Works Group. Residential accommodation is allocated by the Post Housing Committee (PHC).
You should not assume that you will take over your predecessor‟s accommodation. The PHC allocates accommodation based on the attached Housing Policy.
Proximity to Schools
The PHC will try to take account of the proximity of available housing to a family‟s chosen school. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to lease properties close to the International School of Kenya and Peponi School which meet our security and health and safety requirements and which are within the recommended rent ceilings or „beacons‟. Coupled with the high demand for school places in Nairobi, this means that staff will need to be flexible in their choice of school for their children or accept that their children may have longer than ideal journeys to and from school.
Personal Statement to the Housing Committee
Soon after Post receives an officer's Posting Notification, CSU will send a Personal Statement form for officers to complete. This asks for details of family circumstances, health, or any other factors which might have a bearing on the allocation of housing. It is important that officers complete and return this as quickly as possible so that the PHC has all the relevant information when allocating accommodation
Housing on Arrival/Transit Accommodation
It will not always be practicable for an officer to move into an owned or rented property immediately on arrival to Post. Until your permanent accommodation is ready you will be temporarily accommodated in transit accommodation.
This is due to the fact that our Technical Works Team will undertake general maintenance and refurbishment of properties between tenants. Allocation of transit accommodation will be dependent on what is available on arrival. The average length of stay is up to 3 months.
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Consider a Recce Visit
Many officers are now choosing to take advantage of the Hornby travel package to make a recce visit to post. (See FCONet for conditions). DFID officers are entitled to a familiarisation visit. Our accommodation team will be pleased to meet with you during your visit to discuss the allocation of housing during your visit.
In any case, a member of the team will be in touch a couple of months before your arrival to discuss your accommodation requirements in line with your personal statement.
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Family
Unmarried Partners
Heterosexual Relationships
While it is socially accepted that unmarried couples live together such relationships are not covered under Kenyan law. As a result the Kenyan authorities do not recognise partners of unmarried officers. The authority will not extend diplomatic immunity or privilege to unmarried partners. This includes duty free car/importation/etc
Unmarried partners must arrive together for the High Commission to apply for status that will enable the partner to stay in the country for the duration of the officer‟s posting. This is an informal arrangement and cannot be guaranteed to last indefinitely. If the officer and partner intend to arrive separately, then the arrangement will not work as there will be a requirement to produce a marriage certificate.
Staff wishing to bring a partner should contact Corporate Services Section as soon as possible. Unmarried partners on a joint posting will not, of course, be affected.
Same Sex Relationships
Kenya is a conservative society and same sex relationships are illegal under Kenyan Law. Urban areas tend to be more tolerant, if not accepting of same sex relationships. That situation changes outside of Nairobi where there is little tolerance.
The Gay scene in Nairobi is small but growing and an organisation called Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya was set up in 2006. There are groups that meet on a regular basis.
Currently the Kenyan authorities will not confer any privilege or status for same sex partners. Partners on a joint posting will not be affected. If officers require more information they should contact Director of Corporate Services.
Diplomatic Service Family Association (DSFA)
Before departure from the UK spouses and official registered partners may wish to contact the Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA) at: Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Room 1/95 Old Admiralty Building London SW1A 2PA
Tel: 020 7008 0286 (FTN 8008 0286) Fax: 020 7008 0280 E-mail - [email protected] or visit the DSFA Homepage via the Intranet DSFA serve the HMG community by supporting the interests and welfare of British Diplomatic Families. In the London office they provide information on conditions at all Posts, advise officers and family members on various matters of concern in DS life, and work with the FCO administration on family policy issues. At Post DSFA are represented by a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) who provides welfare support to the mission's UK based staff and families.
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DSFA Going Abroad Adviser
Di Sinclair is the DSFA adviser dedicated to the needs of DSFA members going abroad and spouses/partners of Heads of Mission and Heads of Post and is their independent link with the Office. She runs a Going Abroad Course which aims to give practical tips and information for spouses and partners going on an overseas posting, especially for those going on a first posting. Spouses/partners from other government departments may attend the course, subject to the course fee. Some OGDs have a Service Level Agreement which means participants may be able to claim the fee back from their home department‟s HR department.
For more information contact [email protected] Phone: 020 7008 0281 (FTN 8008 0281)
Spouse Sponsorship Scheme (FCO)
The DSFA administers the Spouse Sponsorship Scheme whose aim is to help spouses enhance their careers and employment opportunities through re-training, and to help new foreign-born spouses/partners learn or improve their English.
Only spouses/partners of mobile career members of the Diplomatic Service, or HCS (FCO) officers likely to be posted overseas, qualify for the scheme. Spouses of contracted officers or those from Other Government Departments and Agencies temporarily attached to the DS do not qualify. Career spouses on Special Unpaid Leave (SUPL) may apply but priority will be given to spouses seeking a portable career. Application forms are available from the CLO office.
DFID Partner Sponsorship Compensation Allowance It compensates the employee, on behalf of their partner for contributions towards a basic pension. You are eligible for the allowance if you are a DFID Home Civil Service (HCS) employee or are on secondment to DFID on a DFID posting overseas with DFID allowances and benefits, and:
you will be on an overseas posting for 12 months or more,
your partner accompanies you for more than six months of each year from the date the posting starts,
your accompanying partner was in paid employment prior to accompanying you overseas, and
your accompanying partner cannot find employment or earns less than £1,500 net (or equivalent) per calendar month.
The allowance will cease when the employee leaves permanent accommodation immediately before their departure at the end of the posting.
Spouses and partners of UK-based members of staff of other Government Departments or the private sector whilst attached to UK Diplomatic Missions aboard can become temporary members of the DSFA.
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Spouse/Partner Working Opportunities
All locally engaged jobs in the High Commission are also open to spouses/partners, however, the salaries paid within the mission are set according to the local market and may appear quite low in comparison to salary levels in the UK.
Unemployment in Kenya is high and the government is protective of its nationals. Job opportunities outside the Mission are limited, including voluntary work. Where outside employment can be obtained salaries are low compared to the UK.
The High Commission and the Kenyan authorities have a bilateral agreement to issue work permits to spouses of UK Based staff for which it is a requirement that the spouse will need to be qualified for the job that they are applying. Once a spouse has been offered a job, the prospective employer will apply for a work permit and the High Commission assist by issuing a letter to support the application. Work permits are not issued without an offer of a job.
Unmarried partners are not afforded the same privileges as spouses due to the fact that they are not recognised by the authorities. Therefore work permits outside the Mission are not guaranteed. However, they could secure employment where employers are willing to obtain a work permit for them.
Spouses need to understand that while they are working on office premises outside the High Commission, they have no diplomatic immunity should they be subject to disciplinary action for gross misconduct.
Childcare Ayahs (nannies) are readily available at reasonable cost enabling spouses/partners to work or enjoy a good social life. They are also available for baby sitting in the evening. Most properties owned or rented by the mission have staff quarters allowing live in staff, if required.
The cost factor, local availability of ayahs and the requirement for a work permit, dictate against bringing a nanny from the UK or elsewhere.
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Local Education Facilities
Map showing location of schools
Expatriates generally look to local private schools for their children‟s education. They are of high standard and evenly spread throughout Nairobi. The choice of school is usually governed by where you live in order to reduce travel time during the heavy rush hour traffic. The Post Housing Committee (PHC) will try to take account of the proximity of available housing to a family‟s chosen school but this is not always possible. Please refer to the accommodation section above and the Nairobi Housing Policy.
Majority of the schools on the approved list (see Annexe C) offer the British Curriculum, however, the International School of Kenya (ISK) offers the American system. Many offer some „special needs‟ facilities which can be discussed with the Head Teacher when emailing/visiting the school.
The demand for places is high. Officers are advised to apply immediately to several schools in different locations once they have confirmation of their posting. Waiting lists are become the norm at most schools, particularly for the younger age group. The majority of schools will admit pupils throughout the school year, if they have places. The CLO will send guidance on schools once notified of your posting.
Day-school fees are paid for children over 3 years old attending schools on the post's authorised list, however there are regulations with regard to the number of hours for children age 3 and 4. Provision for children under 5 varies for different home departments – please check your home HR department. HR will also pay fees for children attending boarding school overseas but will not pay for the boarding element at post if you choose to send your child to a boarding school at post.
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Most schools offer school transport for their pupils with specific pick up/drop off points on the various routes. Some schools do a door to door service too. Details of the routes and timetables are available from the school or from the CLO. The High Commission cannot provide official transport for school runs to those schools which do not provide school transport. However, they will provide for the first 3 months of arrival allowing time for staff to import/purchase a vehicle.
List of Approved Schools (see Annex C) When dialling from the UK please use +254 20 before landline No.s (L) and +254, then remove the first 0 for mobile No.s.
Kindergarten Schools
There are several to choose from in different locations. Ages range from 18 months – 6years. Some require pupils to wear school uniform. Those in the nursery classes are asked to bring a change of clothing and shoes. Some of the nurseries are happy to accept children who are not fully toilet trained (parents are also asked to provide nappies, wipes etc).
A few kindergartens offer school transport at an extra cost, however, not all areas are covered. Details of the routes, timetables and costs are available from the school or from the CLO.
Primary/Prep Schools
Most preparatory schools start from Year 2 and continue to Year 8. Pupils have be 6 years old by the 1st Sept to start school in Year 2. However, Braeburn and ISK have an Early Years Unit for children to progress into the Primary/Elementary School. Many children below the age of 6 may have to attend a kindergarten before acquiring a place for Year 2 as the demand for Braeburn and ISK Early Learning Years are very high.
Secondary Schools
Age range from 13 –18 years old. There is less of a choice for secondary schools but they all have an excellent variety of departments and prepare children for IGCSE/GCSE and A levels. However, ISK prepare for IB. The schools offer an alternative to parents who do not wish to send children to boarding school in the UK or elsewhere.
Tertiary College
Braeburn Schools in partnership with several well renowned universities both local and international, offers several teacher training courses. The Braeburn Tertiary programme is practical and has proven to be very successful, as a number of the graduates from these courses are now senior staff in several schools.
The Braeburn Tertiary programme includes the Bachelor of Philosophy in International Teacher Education B.Phil.(Ed.) and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (International) - PGCEi. All courses comprise face to face sessions (residential), on-line distance learning, along with classroom experience coupled with tutor support aimed at established teachers and graduate teachers pursuing a teaching career.
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Recreation Facilities and Options
Nairobi has an excellent climate for most of the year so most people tend to indulge in outdoor activities.
Official Amenities
The High Commission has limited recreational amenities. These consist of a small swimming pool at the office compound and a tennis court, small pool and a baby pool at the BHC owned housing estate (Gitanga). There is also a toddler‟s play area with a sand pit, climbing frame, swings, slides etc.
The amenities at the office compound are open to all members of staff and are supplemented by a restaurant. There is also a bar run by the BHC Club Committee which offers free membership. At present the bar/catering facilities are not available during the weekend. The facilities at Gitanga are only available to UK staff and guests and include a small events room which is used occasionally for quiz nights, private functions, children‟s parties etc.
Clubs in Nairobi
There are four main social clubs in Nairobi, the Muthaiga Club, Nairobi Club, Windsor Golf and Country Club and Karen Country Club. All are multi-racial, and offer sports facilities including swimming pool, gym, tennis, squash etc as well as bars, dining rooms and libraries. Karen Country Club and Windsor Golf and Country Club also have a golf course.The Muthaiga Golf Club is a separate club to the social club with its own separate membership. All have waiting lists but High Commission staff are usually given priority when joining. There are several other golf clubs in and around Nairobi.
These clubs are usually expensive to join as subscriptions have traditionally been based on life- time membership. Some now offer reduced rates for short-term residents. COLA contains provision for membership at one of the clubs which offers golf as well as other social amenities.
Societies/Activity Clubs
The East African Women‟s League and American Women‟s Association are both large organisations based in Nairobi. Web sites: http://eawl.org/index.html www.awakenya.org
There is an active Nairobi Music Society as well as one or two smaller choral groups, Nairobi Orchestra and Youth Orchestra and various other musical activities. New members are always welcome. Email: [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/NairobiOrchestra
Amateur Dramatics is fairly low key except around Christmas during the Pantomime season. However, Phoenix Players perform regularly at the Phoenix Theatre whilst Nairobi Players and Braeburn Theatre Group perform periodically. www.phoenixtheatre.co.ke www.braeburn.com
Nairobi Sailing and Sub-Aqua Club (Dive Club) offers dive courses (Padi and BSAC), dive trips to the coast, socials etc No sailing since Nairobi Dam became covered in Water Hyacinth. Web site: www.diveclubkenya.com
Mountain Club of Kenya (MCK) organises trips including rock climbing and walking, monthly lectures, socials etc. Web site: www.mck.or.ke Page 19 of 43
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Kenya Museum Society become a member and get free admission to all museums in Kenya and Historical sites etc. Organise day and weekend trips, lectures, Know Kenya Course, etc www.kenyamuseumsociety.org
Naivasha Yacht Club (NYC) about an hour‟s drive from Nairobi. Mainly lasers and fireballs, organise race meets, sailing courses, socials etc. www.sailingkenya.org
Kenyan Cycling is a site where you can find all the mountain bike races in Kenya, ranging from family races to major competitions, easy to extreme hardcore. www.kenyacycling.org
Eating Out
Nairobi has a wide range of reasonably priced restaurants with English, French, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, as well as African cuisine. Although there are no McDonalds fast food outlets yet, Wimpy and Steers (South African) operate similar burger outlets. Debonairs Pizza which is part of the Steers chain from South Africa also have outlets and offer free delivery. Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn is another take away/fast food outlet at various locations in Nairobi who also deliver free.
Outside Nairobi, the food is generally plain unless staying at one of the better hotels on the coast or in the game parks.
Tusker, the local beer, is popular and reasonably priced, although charges vary according to location (retail outlet, hotels, restaurants and bars). Selections of other local beer are also available in most locations.
Wine, purchased by the glass or the bottle is expensive, relative to the price in the shops. Some restaurants allow you to take your own wine and pay corkage which can be as high as 50%.
There is no general scale of tipping. General practice ranges from as much as 10% on a small bill and 5%, or less, on a large bill. In some restaurants there is a cover charge, service charge and staff training charge.
Nightlife
Nairobi has a wide range of bars plus a number of night-clubs and casinos. It also has several cinemas which show most new releases. Renting DVDs are a popular alternative.
Nairobi has a semi professional repertory company, the Phoenix Players. Plays change approximately every three weeks. There is a very active French Cultural Centre.
The Kenya National Theatre is used for various types of entertainment, including plays by local amateur groups and concerts by visiting artists. Braeburn Theatre is also host to numerous plays, pantomimes, classical concerts and entertainment throughout the year.
Sporting Activities
Nairobi offers the usual range of sports, including golf, tennis, hockey, cricket, football, rugby, squash, badminton, bowls, athletics, motor sport, riding, polo and swimming. Equipment can be purchased locally but quality may be inferior and price expensive.
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Horse racing is popular with regular meetings at The Jockey Club of Kenya, Ngong Racecourse on the edge of town.
Golf is popular. There are many clubs spread around Nairobi. Players can take out membership or pay daily green fees. New golf balls are expensive but caddies can be relied on for a supply of second-hand balls.
Scuba diving, sailing and windsurfing are also popular at the coast. Scuba diving lessons are available at the Nairobi Sailing and Sub-Aqua Club in Nairobi and sailing is possible on Lake Naivasha.
There is excellent wet fly trout fishing, in several rivers not too far from Nairobi, and also fishing in lakes and dams. There is large game fishing available at the coast, although this can be expensive.
The East African Safari motor rally, held every Easter, is a major international event in the Nairobi calendar. There is also a fund raising annual „Rhino Charge‟ for the real off road 4x4 enthusiast.
There is a selection of Gyms (at health centres or hotels) but they can be expensive (£60 - £70 per month). The UN gym is much cheaper and available to all Diplomats. You could bring a set of weights or fitness equipment with you. Lots of gyms have regular aerobics, yoga, pilates, zumba, spin etc classes.
Photography
There are fantastic photo opportunities (especially for wildlife photography). A 300mm telephoto lens is essential for game photography. A sunlight filter can be useful. A video camera with zoom can yield some worthwhile results. Bring spare batteries for your Video Camera.
A car charger unit may be useful for trips under canvas. All photography and video camera accessories are expensive locally. Digital SLR cameras with telephoto lens are also a good option.
Libraries
There are public libraries. Some of the clubs described above have good libraries with a wide selection of titles. Within the CLO office there is a large selection of books for both adults and children to borrow.
Local travel opportunities and restrictions
While there is a great deal to do in Nairobi, much of the attraction of Kenya lies in getting away from it all, either on the coast, in the game parks, or camping off the beaten track. Around half a million tourists visit Kenya each year and the vast majority manage to enjoy their holidays without mishap. Please note that walking safaris can be dangerous and there have been fatalities, so you do so at your own risk.
There is a range of accommodation to suit every budget. The High Commission has a local travel implant on the premises whose staff can advise and make reservations.
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There are several National Parks and Reserves in Kenya. Check the Kenya Wildlife Service web site kws.go.ke. Some have comfortable lodges and tented camps equipped with most amenities Prices vary from reasonable to expensive. There are also camping sites and self catering accommodation which are much cheaper. It is always advisable to check beforehand whether young children are welcome. The Parks are often accessible only by 4WD vehicle or by air.
Camping/picnic equipment should be brought with you though more and more equipment is becoming available locally, at a price. Bottled Gas is available locally. Cool boxes are useful for day trips. A cotton sleeping bag may be another useful item to bring or a thicker one if you want to climb Mt Kenya. Campsites in Kenya are often very basic compared with Europe. There is usually a long drop toilet. Water may not always be readily available.
Staff should, of course, consult the current consular advice to travellers to Kenya before venturing away from the main tourist areas. Travelling in groups or convoys can provide extra security.
You may wish to refer to the Lonely Planet website http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/ Please also read the FCO Travel Advice, accessible from the Internet home page or directly at FCO Travel Advice
Full details of the current FCO Travel Advice can be found at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel- and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/sub-saharan-africa/kenya1.
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Media
Newspapers, Books and Magazines
British newspapers are available in Nairobi within a day or two of publication, but prices are high. International magazines are also available but at a cost. Most staff prefer to take out annual subscriptions in the UK and have them mailed to post through the Bag or now, more commonly, access UK newspapers and other publications online.
There are three leading daily Kenyan newspapers: The Nation, The Standard and the Star, plus a regional weekly called the East African, and the Business Daily covering business. All are English language. There are various other smaller or regional newspapers. A monthly magazine called Nairobi Law Monthly is a good way to keep up with Kenyan political issues.
There is a fairly wide selection of paperbacks available, both new and second-hand. Children, both young and older, are well catered for.
Television and Radio
Nairobi has five main television stations that can be received free of charge. Citizen TV and NTV (Nation TV) are the two with the widest reach in Kenya. Others are KTN, KBC (Kenya Broadcasting Station) and K24. All have programming in both English and Swahili, including local news and some local production, as well as imported soap operas (many from Mexico), pop videos, and rebroadcasts of CNN, BBC and Sky News.
DSTV, the South African satellite provider, is available on subscription and installation of a satellite dish. Over 100 main channels give coverage of sport (including UK and European football, world-wide cricket, American sports), movies, general channels (including BBC Entertainment and Lifestyle) and news (BBC World, Sky News and CNN). It also offers a range of radio programmes (http://www.dstv.com/channels/).
Zuku, an East African company, provides satellite and cable network home entertainment and communication services. Their package vary depending on need and include pay-TV, broadband and telephony service (www.zuku.co.ke).
A multi-system TV is required to receive the local TV stations. Multi-system televisions, videos and DVDs are available locally though more expensive.
BBC World Service radio broadcasts on FM in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu and on short wave in other areas.
There are a number of FM radio stations in Nairobi, including Capital FM and Kiss 100 that broadcast a mixture of popular music and news.
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Mobile Phones and Internet Officers are provided with a phone on arrival and pay for personal calls. The Department/Line Manager needs to liaise with Corporate Services to arrange. Spouses/partners/children have to provide their own.
There are 3 main mobile phone companies,
Safaricom: web site www.safaricom.co.ke
Airtel: web site www.africa.airtel.com/kenya
Orange Kenya: www.orange.co.ke
Their connection and call prices are similar to each other. Calls and SMS‟s are very cheap compared to the UK. They continually bring out special offers. If bringing a phone from the UK it must be unlocked, to be able to work with the local Sim Card. Phones are cheaper in the UK. There are options for pre paid and post paid service.
Mobile Internet Dongles
These are probably the quickest way to get internet service when you first arrive. There are 3 companies that provide this service Safaricom, Airtel and Orange, see above.
There are several Internet Services Providers (ISP‟s) in Nairobi and Mombasa, but the service is variable and expensive. New Fibre connections have arrived and improved the service and speed. However, response speeds can be generally slow, and it can be frustrating when connections time out without any notice. The connectivity is continually improving as a number of new cable and providers enter the market. The bottom line is you pay more here for access than a lot of places and you get less service. It works but don‟t expect to be downloading huge files quickly. Please note that the BHC provides Home Broadband for staff who have an operational need to work from home. All other staff are expected to meet the initial installation costs of home broadband and monthly subscription costs.
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Annex A – The Big Picture
Government & Administration
The former British East African Protectorate was renamed Kenya in 1920 and parliamentary institutions were developed soon afterwards. Political development in Kenya was largely, though not wholly, confined to the European and Asian Communities until after the end of the Second World War.
The growing African Nationalist movement in Kenya spawned a violent uprising, known as Mau Mau, against British rule from October 1952 to January 1960.The authorities declared an „Emergency‟ and imposed security measures to contain it. Though the revolt was eventually defeated, it is widely believed that the movement hastened the process of independence.
Internal self-government, in Swahili "Madaraka", was achieved in June 1963, and independence, "Uhuru", came six months later on 12th December 1963, under the leadership of Jomo Kenyatta. Kenyatta, leader of the Kenya Africa National Union (KANU), the largest pro-independence party, was initially Prime Minister but became the first Kenyan President when the country was declared a republic in December 1964.
In 1969 other political parties were banned, thus making Kenya a one party state, enshrined in law in 1982, with KANU the sole party. In August 1978, Daniel Arap Moi, who had been Vice President, became President, despite opposition by some groups, particularly the Kikuyu, following the death in office of Kenyatta. Kenya became multi-party again in 1991 after Moi, bowing to internal and external pressure, allowed the formation of opposition parties.
Lack of opposition unity allowed Moi and KANU to win elections in 1992 and 1997 (although there were serious doubts about the fairness of both polls). However with Moi constitutionally bound to stand down in 2002, opposition parties and members of a KANU breakaway group united to form the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) with Mwai Kibaki as its presidential candidate. A huge wave of popular support saw KANU swept out of power and Kibaki sworn in as Kenya‟s third President.
The disputed election in December 2007 resulted in serious ethnic violence with over 1100 reported deaths and over 600,000 Kenyans displaced. A Kofi Annan brokered political settlement in February 2008 which paved the way for the appointment of a Grand Coalition Government with Mwai Kibaki as President and Raila Odinga as Prime Minister, a new position. Pledges were made to tackle the underlying conflict issues (land, poverty, inequality, impunity, corruption (Kenya is ranked 146th out of the180 countries included in the TI Corruption Perception Index) and institutional reform). Commissions were put in place to look into the post election violence and electoral process, following which a series of reforms (including to the judiciary, to the police and the appointments process) were introduced. Progress in implementing these reforms has been patchy and many of the underlying grievances and ethnic tensions that led to the 2007/8 PEV remain extant.
Splits in the Coalition are emerging as the struggle for political one-upmanship is played out. The fragile Coalition could be under serious threat if the two sides are unable to show some political goodwill to work together. The next election, due in 2013, depends on implementation of the reform process in order to stave off violence as witnessed in 2007. However, for that process to move forward the two sides must work together.
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Economy
Whilst agriculture dominates the economy, only 15% of land in Kenya has sufficient fertility and rainfall to be productive. In 2006, over 70% of working Kenyans made their living on the land. Horticulture overtook tourism as the biggest foreign exchange earner in 2007, with Tea exports in third place.
Poverty is a major issue in Kenya with over 63% of the population living on less than USD$2 per day and since the post election violence in January 2008, it is estimated that 1 million more Kenyans have been pushed beneath the poverty line. Political section is focussed on prevention and resolution of conflict as one of its main objectives; the post election crisis has put this issue at the top of the agenda.
The link below gives further information on Kenya in general and the organisation of the Government http://www.kenya.go.ke/
The desk officer in London produces a Country Profile including recent history, recent political developments, relations with the international community and bilateral political and commercial relations with the UK. This profile also includes links to other relevant pages on the FCO website. It can be accessed from the FCO Net home page by clicking on the following link: http://www.fconet.fco.gov.uk/Human+Resources/Jobs/Bidding+and+Boarding/ECA+Country+Pro files/_documents/Kenya.pdf “
Officers taking up a political job may also wish to contact the African Research Group on +44 (20) 7008 4222 Climate
Given the diverse geography, the climate varies widely. The Coastal Belt and Western Kenya around Lake Victoria are hot and humid. The Rift Valley is dry and hot. The Central Highlands and any area of significant altitude tend to be cooler and wet. Nairobi sits in the middle with pleasant sunny days but cooler nights (not normally more than 30 degrees centigrade during the day or lower than 10 degrees centigrade at night).
There are normally two rainy seasons, “the Long Rains” from mid March to May and “the Short Rains” from mid October to mid November. July and August can be dull and overcast. December, January and February are usually hot and dry. Weather patterns have been less regular in Kenya in recent years. For current information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/travel/index.shtml
Religion
Churches are well attended by Kenyans and some staff have found them a good way of getting to know others. Many of the churches arrange various activities and have group meetings.
The Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches are well established in Kenya. There are also Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist churches as well as the Salvation Army, the Society of Friends, Christian Scientists, an inter denominational Free Church and Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh houses of worship. Services are conducted in Kiswahili, English, French etc depending on the church attending. Page 26 of 43
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Local customs
Kenyans are very friendly people with a strong sense of humour, so social interactions at all levels tend to be fairly relaxed and congenial. There are no strict rules for entertaining, except for Muslims, especially Somalis. Otherwise, alcohol is freely served on most occasions and there is certainly no requirement to segregate men and women, though Muslims of either sex may be reluctant to shake hands with or even sit next to strangers of the opposite sex. However, Kenyans in Nairobi often prefer to give or receive official/business hospitality at breakfast or lunchtime in restaurants rather than in the evening at home. Indeed, many officers report that it is rare to be invited to a meal or reception at a Kenyan home in the city.
Similarly, Kenyan attendance at evening events hosted by officers can be limited, though experiences vary. Moreover, no particular importance is attached to punctuality at social events, so no offence is implied or should be taken by a late arrival. For introductions to contacts, an exchange of business cards is the norm (but Kenyans will understand if you do not have one on you!)
When travelling “up-country” (i.e. outside Nairobi) on duty visits, officers are perhaps more likely to be invited to home functions. Guests are often encouraged (and expected!) to join in “impromptu” African dancing, often led by local women expressly invited to the event for this purpose! As a token of your appreciation it would be courteous to bring the host a small gift.
In Nairobi and other cities, Kenyans prefer to dress formally for business meetings/functions, usually in Western attire (i.e. suits for men, dresses/longer skirts/smart slacks for women). On the Coast, where the weather is always hotter, jackets and ties tend to be more optional, especially at evening events. At a more general level, Kenyans are themselves stylish about their own turnout but relaxed about modes of dress worn by foreigners; even so, they look askance at sloppiness. More modest dress may be advisable, and probably practicable, especially for women, when visiting conservative rural localities and predominantly Muslim areas, such as parts of the Coast and especially the North. But even in mainly Muslim areas, there is no expectation that Western women should cover their hair.
The right hand is the honourable one for greeting, eating and handing over. The Kenyan handshake is a double handshake: people like giving and receiving one. Shaking hands is de rigueur whenever you meet someone after an interval of more than an hour.
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Annex B – Practicalities
The Approved Route is direct by air on Kenya Airways (KQ), approximately 8 1/2 hours flying time from London. There are many other airlines flying to Nairobi, including British Airways, KLM, Swissair, Sabena and Emirates. Approved Routes (FCO Guidance Volume 4, Chapter 4) are set by TMS to maximise the savings to be made from the FCO's confidential Route Deals (discounted deals) with our preferred airlines.
Visas
In Kenya, visitor‟s visas are usually issued for a period of up to three months. These visas are issued as a temporary short stay visa and are intended for those who wish to spend a holiday in Kenya and will be returning to their country if residence afterwards. All members of her Majesty Government staff and their families arriving on a posting in Kenya should arrive on this visa.
A visitor visa does not provide the right to work in Kenya.
Visas can also be obtained on arrival at the airport for officers that are British Nationals. Non- British Nationals should check on the Kenya Immigration website www.immigration.go.ke if they require visa. Arriving without visa mean queuing especially it there are many flights arriving at the same time.
FCO and dependants can obtain their visa through the FCO Travel Unit.
Children visiting parents should obtain a visa from the Kenyan High Commission in London or pay for one on arrival (currently US$50 for single entry and only payable in US Dollars). The address is: Kenya High Commission, 45 Portland Place, London W1N 4AS. Telephone: 0207 636 2371/5. E-mail [email protected]
Yellow Fever Certificate
This certificate is occasionally requested on arrival. It is therefore advisable to carry it along with the passport.
Arrival Formalities
New members of staff should meet with the Protocol Manager (PM) on the first day in office for briefing on local protocol issues which includes baggage, vehicle, completion of various forms and residence paper work.
Officers should bring with them a copy of marriage certificate for married officers and a copy of birth certificate for each child accompanying, 10 passport photographs for officer, 10 for spouse and 2 for each child.
Once forms are completed and the officer has handed over passports with entry stamp, photographs, etc. to the Protocol Manager, the following paperwork will start:
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Diplomatic Identity (ID) Card
Protocol Section will inform Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the officer‟s arrival and apply for the officer and spouse‟s diplomatic identity card on the second day after arrival. This takes two to three weeks to be issued. The notification allows the High Commission to commence import applications for personal effects.
Spouse of unmarried officers do not get diplomatic ID cards nor do they get any diplomatic, duty free, importation privileges from the Kenya Government. They will need to use their passports to identify themselves.
Driving Licences
All Commonwealth countries‟ driving licences are recognised by the Kenyan Government and can be exchanged for a Kenyan licence. Non-Commonwealth countries licences are not recognised and holders of these licences may have to undergo a driving test unless they are holders of an International Driving Licence. Minimum age limit for driving is 18.
Commonwealth Licences above can be used in Kenya for a period of three months, by when an officer is expected to have acquired Kenya Licence.
Visiting and Invitation Cards
Cards can be printed on a desktop publishing system in the High Commission. Staff requiring visiting cards on or before arrival should inform their Head of Section.
Getting your possessions to Post
UK based staff posted to Nairobi enjoy diplomatic privileges, which includes exemption from Kenyan Customs import duties and verification of personal effects and cars imported into the country. It is important that new arrivals import their personal effects and car within three months of their arrival in the country. Unmarried partner‟s baggage should arrive in the officer‟s name otherwise the partner may be required to pay customs duty.
Unaccompanied Air Freight (UAF)
Clearance of UAF cannot start until after arrival at Post and production of a passport with valid entry stamp. Delivery normally takes around three weeks. This is dependent on when the contractor provides waybill and packing list.
It is advisable to use trunk boxes or hard cases with firm locks fitted for sending UAF. Flimsier packaging, e.g. zip suitcases, can easily be cut open and items pilfered. Officers should ensure that individual units are clearly labelled with their names and addressed care of (c/o) “British High Commission, Upper Hill Road, Nairobi”.
Processing of duty exemption for UAF through MFA will commence once the officer arrives at Post. If waybill has not yet been received, Protocol will follow up with Allied Pickfords or Crown Relocation. Documents at MFA take about seven (7) working days. While the application for exemption process is ongoing, the baggage remains in the UK until approval is granted. After the approval is received, a call forward is sent to the forwarding agent. Freighting, clearance and delivery take two to three weeks.
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Heavy Baggage
Nairobi is an airfreight post for consignments originating from the UK. For post-to-post moves the most economic means is used (either sea or air). The UK contractor will advise on the acceptable mode of freighting the personal effects. BHC has no authority to change the contractor‟s decision on mode of freighting.
Documentation and clearance of heavy baggage consignments cannot start until after officer‟s arrival at Post and production of a passport with valid entry stamp. MFA approval, call forward and delivery normally takes three weeks. This period is dependent on how soon the shipper provides a waybill and inventory.
During this period, the baggage remains in the UK or the officer‟s former post until approval is received. If the officer is still in temporary accommodation, the heavy baggage remains in the UK or the officer‟s former post until the date of moving to permanent accommodation is known. Exceptions for lengthy periods in temporary accommodation will be considered on a case by case basis.
Insurance of Baggage
FCO and other Government officers are advised to insure all consignments through a policy such as Marsh. Login account provided by CSC as a part of pre-posting briefing. Details are available on FCO Net or from your home HR Dept.
Pickfords, who currently hold the heavy baggage contract for the FCO, has a web site. Officers will be able to access details of the shipment with a password supplied by Pickfords.
Full guidance on heavy baggage can be found on: http://www.fconet.fco.gov.uk/doing+my+job/staff+guidance/HR/Vol4/Ch9+heavy+baggage+UAF. htm DFID officers contracts over 4 months, DFID will meet the cost of insuring the employee‟s furniture while in store and in transit to and from storage. DFID will also pay the cost of insuring their personal effects that the employee takes to an overseas posting, up to a maximum of £15,000. DFID also uses the services of Pickfords.
Importation of Pets
There is no quarantine requirement for dogs or cats in Kenya. Officers must avoid bringing a pet over a weekend as the cargo point is closed. The officer should arrive first before they import a pet. Clearance of pets is handled by clearing agents who can process customs documentation at the airport.
The High Commission advises the use of Bollore Africa Logistics, an agent that is very conversant with the importation and clearance procedures. The company will provide a quotation of services to be rendered which could amount to US$800. Bollore‟s contact person is [email protected].
Bollore will also provide a list of the documents that will be required and at what point. But basically the pet should be in perfect health and have the following documents:
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Import permit (Obtainable from a Kenya Mission abroad) Valid Rabies vaccination certificate. Health Certificate from a veterinary surgeon in the UK signed not more than five days prior to the date of departure from the country of origin, certifying that the animal is free from clinical symptoms of any contagious or infectious disease.
Experience has also proved that the officer can clear the pets themselves which could be cheaper by as much as half of what the agent would charge. The officer must however be prepared to spend time at the cargo centre.
Once a dog is cleared, the officer must licence it. Licences are issued by the Nairobi City Council. Failure to licence a dog, could risk the dog being taken away by the Council. Local Vet in Nairobi may help to obtain the licence on behalf of the officer. A licence cost Ksh.500/- per dog per year. Cats do not require a licence.
Rabies is endemic in Kenya and, even if quarantine regulations change in the UK, animals arriving from Kenya and other African countries are likely to be handled under current regulations.
Apart from Rabies staffs are advised to have domestic animals vaccinated according to advice given by a veterinary surgeon. They are also advised to spray animals regularly with an insecticidal solution to prevent tick-borne disease, which can be fatal.
Imported dog foods are available but expensive. Most owners feed a home-made diet of meat, meal or rice, and vegetables.
There are some good veterinary surgeons in Nairobi.
Staff should note that if they are taking an animal to the UK at the end of posting the animal does not have to go into quarantine. Please contact [email protected] for more info on exporting pets.
Vehicles
Importing a vehicle into Kenya
Married officers may import two duty free vehicles and single officers one. However, only one vehicle may be shipped at public expense. Married officers importing two vehicles, or purchasing locally, should note that only one vehicle can be registered in the officer‟s name and the other has to be in the spouse‟s name. It is important to ensure that vehicle documents reflect this. Unmarried partners have no entitlement to a duty free vehicle whether imported or purchased locally.
Only permanent UK based staff coming for over one year posting can import a vehicle duty free.
It would be useful to purchase a GPS Satellite Voice Guided Navigation for Kenya. You will need a Garmin GPS which allows you to upload maps.
There are two maps available: http://www.garmap.co.za “East Africa Street Maps” excellent for in city details and Points of interest. Not cheap and you need to order a DVD from South Africa.
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http://tracks4africa.co.za/ “Tracks for Africa Maps” excellent for “Upcountry” off roads as it‟s from the Geo-caching community. Cheap and easy download. (Also covers major POI in Nairobi and has a Google earth interface..)
Vehicles are despatched by sea, via Mombasa to Nairobi (Inland Container Depot). But vehicles that originate from Japan are consigned for clearance in Mombasa. These are then brought to Nairobi on car carrier. Bills of lading and copies of invoices are sent by the forwarding agent to the officer. The vehicle should be consigned in the name of the registered owner, c/o the British High Commission, Upper Hill Road, P O Box 30465, 00100, Nairobi.
Clearance documentation cannot start until after officer‟s arrival as the MFA insists that the officer should be accredited to the Mission before any exemption application is submitted to the Ministry. In normal circumstances approval takes five to ten working days.
It takes two to three weeks for a vehicle to arrive in Nairobi from Mombasa due to constant container port congestion. Once the vehicle arrives at the Inland Container Depot, Embakasi Nairobi, clearance takes only five working days. The vehicle is then collected from the clearing agent‟s warehouse. Vehicles that are cleared in Mombasa take ten working days to clear and are brought to Nairobi on car carrier.
Registration of the vehicle can only begin after the vehicle has been cleared and collected as the documents that clear the vehicle are required for the registration process. Registration takes two weeks. During the registration process, the vehicle cannot be driven.
Import Restrictions on Vehicles
Vehicles to be imported into Kenya must be Right Hand Drive.
The Kenya Government, has a requirement through the Kenya Bureau of Standards, that used vehicles must be less than eight (8) years old, require pre-shipment inspection and the issuance of a Certificate of Roadworthiness. The inspection can only be done by JEVIC, the Kenya Bureau of Standards appointed agent. To book for the inspection you will need to contact the following address for those arriving from the UK:
JEVIC UK Ltd, Unit F West Quay Industrial Estate, Southampton. Tel: +44 023 8020 5666, Fax: +44 023 8020 5655, Email: [email protected]
If an officer is coming from other countries and wishes to import a car from that country, they will need to check with the Kenya Bureau of Standards how to go about having their vehicle inspected for roadworthiness. Email: [email protected]
If the vehicle is forwarded without the Certificate of Roadworthiness, a penalty of 15% of the value of the car will be payable by the officer before the vehicle is Customs cleared. This will still be subjected to local inspection in Kenya and a further fee will be payable for the inspection. This means that officers will have to get the vehicles inspected before shipping.
Brand new vehicles do not require inspection.
Officers should bring with them the original registration document for a registered vehicle, supplier‟s invoice and the original JEVIC certificate. For new vehicles they need only bring the supplier‟s invoice.
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Purchasing Vehicles
Most members of staff prefer to import/purchase 4X4 vehicles to make maximum use of their vehicle for recreation as well as day to day use. Saloon vehicles are suitable mainly for home to office runs but not for recreational use out of Nairobi e.g. Game Parks.
An officer should buy a vehicle which can be serviced locally and for which parts are readily available. It is also important to bear in mind that some vehicles are easier to dispose of at end of tour than others. An officer may wish to get more details from vehicle dealers through the websites provided below:
Popular vehicles in Kenya:
Toyota vehicles are very common, are easy to dispose of and have a good resale value. Website: www.toyotaea.com
Land Rovers come second on popularity and ease of disposal. Website: www.cmcmotors.com
Nissans come third in line. Website: www.dtdobie.co.ke
Other popular vehicles in Kenya which can be serviced but are not too common with the High Commission staff are:
Mitsubishi brands. Website: www.simbacolt.com Volkswagen brands. Website : www.cmcmotors.com Suzuki brands. Website: www.cmcmotors.com
For officers who would like to import a used vehicle from Japan, below are websites of reliable companies that have been used by members of staff. www.ibcjapnan.co.jp email: [email protected] www.japanesevehicles.com email: [email protected]
Purchasing used vehicles from other staff members:
Buying used vehicles from departing High Commission staff has ensures that the arriving officer has available private transport upon arrival. Officers can check with the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) whether there are vehicles coming up for sale. Once a purchase has been made and insurance arranged the vehicle can be used immediately.
If the vehicle is from another Mission, the diplomatic plates are removed and the vehicle will not have plates until all documentation has been processed through the MFA, Customs and KRA. The vehicle cannot be driven until new plates have been obtained. The process of transferring a vehicle from diplomat to diplomat takes at least six weeks.
Beware that while it may be convenient to purchase a vehicle from another diplomat, it is important that the purchaser enquires fully the condition of the vehicle to ensure they make an informed decision on what they are buying once purchase they will be expected to keep the vehicle until the end of their tour even if the officer realises later that they have bought the wrong vehicle. It would be worth having a vehicle professional inspected before decision is made.
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Insurance
Third party insurance is compulsory for all vehicles driven on Kenyan roads. Once the vehicle clearance begins, Protocol will ask the officer to provide the premium and the team will arrange insurance through a local insurance company used for official vehicles. This only covers third party claims.
Officers are advised to take out comprehensive insurance with UK insurer such as Clements Europe (www.clements.com) or Forbes (www.priceforbes.com) This covers all vehicle risks.
NB Comprehensive insurance is compulsory for all vehicles for which FCO has given an advance of salary.
Servicing, spares and tyres
Spares are generally available for all vehicles on the approved list. Labour costs are lower than in the UK but so is the standard of workmanship. All spares and parts are expensive. It is worth considering bringing standard service replacement items with you.
Firestone tyres are produced locally both tube & tubeless are available. For those cars fitted with alloy rims, tubeless tyres are now being imported and can be repaired satisfactorily. Low profile tyres are not recommended.
Tyres may be imported from the UK at a considerable saving.
Optional Extras
For those cars not already fitted with them as standard the following are worthwhile extras:
Heavy duty suspension Under sealing Sump shield Anti-theft devices/alarms (Theft from, and of, cars is common; these can help reduce insurance premiums) Locking petrol caps Locking nuts for all wheels, including spares Air conditioning, strongly advised (Useful when sitting in traffic on a hot day or to avoid driving with the windows open) Sun blinds (Useful when the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight) Two spare wheels (Advantageous when travelling in remote areas because of the condition of the roads) A high lift jack (Essential for Land Rovers - can be purchased locally)
Please also be aware that traffic rules in Kenya require that the windscreen and windows give a full view of the road and traffic ahead and be free from any material which has reflective properties. There is no prohibition on tinted glass if it was an original feature in the manufacture of the car.
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Fuel
Unleaded petrol and diesel is available Most new vehicles will take unleaded. Duty free petrol and low sulphur diesel can be purchased from the fuel pump in the High Commission. Low sulphur diesel is also available at some petrol stations. Fuel stations are generally found in towns and larger villages but can be few and far between in some areas (e.g. Maasai Mara) and jerry cans can be useful, brought with you, (provided they have not previously held any fuel) or purchased locally.
Firearms
It is theoretically possible to import firearms and ammunition. However, on the last occasion someone tried to do so (in 1996), the Central Firearms Bureau declined to issue a licence although permission to import two shot guns (for bird shooting) had already been granted. In the event the guns had to be deposited at a firearm‟s agent until shipped out the end of tour.
Anyone wishing to test the water should inform the in Protocol Manager in advance, giving type of weapon, manufacturer, calibre, serial number and purpose of import so she can make enquiries on current practice. You must also gain the High Commissioner‟s permission to import firearms. I
Cost of living and allowances
At the time of writing, the local Cost of Living index is 97.71 – 99.58, against a base of 100 for London. An independent company, Employment Conditions Abroad (ECA), provides this information and it is updated every six months. This means allowances may change from time to time, either upwards or downwards. Overseas allowances are paid to compensate for the necessary additional costs associated with living and working abroad. The Cost of Living index is therefore only one of the inputs from which allowances are calculated.
Details of the allowances paid at Post and how they are calculated can be found on the FCO Net http://www.fconet.fco.gov.uk/human+resources/workingAtPost/Allowances/COLA.htm
FCO staffs on a substantive posting are paid Cost of Living Addition and Diplomatic Service Compensation Allowance from the date of taking up duty at Post, to the day before final departure, or up to and including the last day at Post if going on pre-departure leave. You should check details of the level of your allowances prior to your departure to Post.
Banking
The local currency is Kenyan shillings (Ksh) which presently changes at Ksh 135 = £1.
The High Commission has negotiated a virtually free banking facility for UK staff with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), which holds the official account. There is an initial fee for cheque book and ATM card. Thereafter the only charges are nominal fees for cheque and ATM withdrawals. Local currency can be credited almost instantaneously, without charge, to a SCB local bank account on presentation of a Sterling cheque.
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All staff are expected to open a bank account on arrival as all payments to staff from the High Commission account are paid by electronic transfer. No payments to staff can be made in cash except during the period when your bank account application is being processed. Staffs are also encouraged to pay all monies due to the BHC by online transfers.
As in other Posts, it is no longer possible to cash a Sterling cheque through the Post Account. However, most local banks accept UK ATM cards, and you should be prepared to use this facility on arrival to obtain cash until your bank account has been set-up. You will be able to claim reasonable bank charges for these transactions.
Transport General Driving at night, on mainly unlit roads, is hazardous. Oncoming cars often keep headlights on main beam; some have only one and often no lights at all. Bicycles usually do not have lights; pedestrians are almost invisible as they walk in the road, as are potholes or broken/missing manhole covers. Staffs are advised not to drive outside the city centre or suburbs at night because of the high incidence of accidents.
Most roads in Nairobi and the main trunk roads have a tarmac surface. However, most roads throughout Kenya are in a bad state of repair. The tarmac is often cracked, quickly leading to large potholes, exposing the "murram" (dirt) beneath. During the rains, tarred main roads in the city are liable to flood and murram roads can quickly become impassable. During the dry season murram roads are very dusty. This can be irritating when following other vehicles with your windows open.
Some public buses can be used but generally public transport is unsuitable, if not downright dangerous. There are a number of reputable taxi companies in Nairobi, the BHC recommends two in particular. Hire cars are available but expensive compared to the UK. Official vehicles can be hired by new UKB staff awaiting arrival of their imported car but there is no guarantee of availability since official needs always take precedence. It is therefore advisable to obtain a personal vehicle as soon as possible, either by importing or purchasing locally. It is probably cheaper to import but local purchase usually means you are mobile much sooner – though formalities do take time so it is best to start procedures early. It is worth bearing in mind that local second-hand vehicles have been used much harder than in the UK and are expensive.
A standard saloon car can cope with main roads. However, a 4-wheel drive is needed to make full use of the opportunities to visit game parks and/or off road exploring. Altitude can reduce engine output which in turn can affect fuel consumption.
Domestic help
Officers normally employ domestic help to carry out general household work. Those with children normally also employ an ayah (nanny) to look after the children, or try to find a house help/ayah to look after both the housework and the care of the children. Gardeners and drivers are also employed by officers, if required
Representational Officers who entertain a lot at home usually employ a cook as well as domestic help. A good cook is capable of preparing main meals in a European style to a very high standard, but others with less experience will need help. It can be quite difficult to find a good cook. A simple cookbook with good illustrative photographs of the finished product can be useful.
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Representational officers who entertain regularly at home may claim part of domestic staff salary from public funds. Representational staff may also claim baby-sitting costs when attending official functions.
Staff Quarters are provided in almost all properties, though not all staff lives in.
Most officers keep their predecessors‟ domestic staff though this is not obligatory. Where they do, they are advised to have a three months trial period before confirming the contracts. Salaries are usually set within parameters which are reviewed annually.
Clothing requirements
General
Shopping has improved enormously in the last few years. Nairobi has several shopping centres (usually a cluster of shops within a compound) with ample and secure parking. Virtually everything is available. Locally produced goods are often the same price or cheaper than similar goods in the UK. Imported goods are available but are expensive.
Staffs are advised to bring (UK) Spring/Summer wardrobes and some warmer clothes for the cooler months. It is a good idea to bring outfits that can be layered as mornings and evenings can be cool, while day temperatures are high. Sun hats, sunglasses and umbrellas are all likely to prove useful. A lightweight waterproof jacket is a plus during the rainy seasons.
Anyone who enjoys camping or intends to visit the Coast or Game Parks is advised to bring clothes to protect arms, legs and feet against mosquitoes which are a nuisance after dusk. Khaki coloured clothing is useful for 'game drives'.
Frequent washing, combined with sun bleaching when drying outside, wears clothes out quickly. In particular, seams split, buttons fall off and colours fade fairly rapidly. Swimming costumes are used often so are more prone to wearing out. During the rainy season it can get very wet and muddy, red mud which stains. Dry cleaning is readily available, often up to UK standard. But disasters have been known to happen.
There are a few good dressmakers in Nairobi and fabrics, zips, thread and other needlework items are available for the DIY enthusiast. But they can be of poor quality or expensive. It is worth bringing patterns from the UK. A reasonable selection of knitting wool is available.
Court Mourning sometimes surprises new members of the Service and their spouses without even a basic minimum of mourning attire. Officers would therefore be wise to provide themselves and their families with clothing suitable for such occasions.
Women
Office wear in Nairobi is similar to that in London. For official functions (e.g. The Queen‟s Birthday Party) some smart outfits will be useful. For other occasions women normally wear what they feel comfortable in. Evening functions, even those described as casual, require relatively smart casual wear. It can get quite chilly in the evenings and a shawl can be useful (ideal pashmina country!). Hats are occasionally worn at formal daytime functions but they are certainly not compulsory.
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It is advisable to bring plenty of shoes and sandals, although there are some reasonable shoe shops in town. Dark coloured shoes do not show the mud stains so much during the rainy seasons.
There are a couple of Woolworth stores (the South Africa equivalent to Marks and Spencer) but clothes prices are more expensive. Women should bring a supply of favourite tights or stockings for formal evening functions if desired. Underwear is best bought in the UK.
It is possible to order goods from the UK via the internet or from catalogue companies for delivery via BFPO.
Men
Office wear in Nairobi is similar to that in London. Medium to lightweight suits are recommended. Short sleeved shirts can be more comfortable than long sleeved. There are some good tailors in Nairobi but generally expensive. Black tie/Dinner jackets are worn occasionally. There are a few shops in town where these can be hired but it may be worth purchasing one before arrival.
It is advisable to bring all shoes, though locally made „safari boots‟ are quite popular for casual wear. Also bring shirts, ties, trousers, casual wear (shorts), underwear and socks
Children Children‟s clothes are more expensive than the UK, so bring as much as possible from the UK. Bata produce fairly good quality children‟s shoes locally at reasonable prices but they do not do width fittings and the quality is not as good. School shoes and trainers should be brought from UK. Wellingtons and waterproof jackets are essential in the rainy season.
Most schools have their own uniforms which can be purchased locally. But quality is not good and they wear out quickly. Anyone wishing to purchase school uniform in the UK should check with the CLO on the school colours and if it is possible as most school now have logos embroidered on each item.
Clothes can be imported through the internet or from catalogue companies.
For babies the best advice is to bring as much as possible of what you would need in UK (allowing for the different climate). A sunshade and insect net is an essential pushchair accessory.
It is advisable to bring a selection of various sizes and age range to cover growth of your child/ children.
Electrical Appliances
Nairobi has an electricity supply of 220 volts/ 50 cycles AC as in UK. Power points are of the 3 pin 13 amp UK variety. Power surges, fluctuations and power cuts occur fairly frequently. Limiter plugs and power surge resistant plugs are recommended for sensitive electrical equipment. Microwaves may not work at times when the power is low. A UPS is recommended for use with computers and televisions and can easily be purchased locally. Check housing policy to confirm electrical items supplied by post.
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Mail Facilities
Airmail is fairly quick and usually reliable, though duty-free clearance procedures for parcels and packages can be lengthy. Sea mail is also reasonably reliable but slow. There are no house deliveries in Kenya. All mail is delivered to a specified PO Box number. Mail sent through the open post should be addressed as follows:
Individual‟s name British High Commission P O Box 30465 00100 NAIROBI Kenya
Most staff receive their mail through the more reliable BFPO Bag – please check with your HR Dept for restrictions on what you are able to send through this system. There are annual limits on the amount of mail that can be received, 75kg media and 20kg parcels per officer. Mail should be addressed to:
Name (PF Number) BFPO 5315 HA4 6EP
Availability of British (or equivalent) goods
Food
Most major food items are available. Imported goods are more expensive. Meat and fish are good and cheaper than in the UK, while chicken is more expensive. Eggs, milk, yoghurt, local cheese and cream are available. Imported cheese is expensive. Local fruit and vegetables are abundant. Imported fruit, like apples, oranges, plums, grapes, pears are more expensive. There are many bakeries selling excellent bread, pastries and cakes.
Anyone who has food allergies or special dietary needs should seek advice from the CLO on what is or is not available with a view to bringing in a supply.
Alcohol and Tobacco
A wide selection of wines, beers, spirits and tobacco goods is available. Diplomats are able to purchase duty free items from Camp Supplies, which is run by the British Army, who deliver to individual‟s houses. More information is available from the CLO.
Household Goods
Most household goods are available locally. Imported items are more expensive.
Bedding
The measurement for single and double beds here at post are single- 100cm x 200 cm and double - 150cm x 200cm.
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Toiletries
Practically everything is available but more expensive than UK. Products for sensitive skin are rare. Tampons and sanitary towels are very expensive and not of the same quality as UK. Suntan lotions and after-sun preparations are also expensive. High sun protection factor lotions are recommended. Supplies of cosmetics should be brought from the UK.
Baby foods & Nursery Supplies
Staffs are advised to bring as much as possible from the UK. Milupa dried baby foods are available in many shops and supermarkets but at more than double the UK price. A liquidiser or baby sieve is useful as local fruits, vegetables, meat and fish are of excellent quality and offer the best solution for baby foods.
Post will provide a cot size 1250x670x970 and a mattress which conforms to British Safety standards, (size 1200x600x100) but you will need to bring with you any cot bedding, sheets, pillows, quilts etc you may need at post as they are not provided by furnishings section at all for hygiene reasons (not even as float items).
Disposable nappies can be purchased locally in most chemists and supermarkets but are not of the same quality as the UK and are more than double the UK price.
Music, Videos, DVDs
The cost of CDs and DVDs is higher than in the UK and selection is limited although increasing. Items can be obtained by mail order from the UK.
Toys
Christmas and Birthday presents should be bought in the UK. Toys are available here but are expensive, e.g. Lego is twice - three times the UK price. Bring all the toys you think your children will need particularly bicycles, outdoor toys, trampoline, climbing frame, slide etc
Stationary
There is a reasonable range of stationery but quality is not too good. Imported brands are expensive. Local charities produce good Christmas cards. Arts and Craft items are few and far between for both adults and children
Picture hooks
Although available here (but much cheaper at home) it is advisable to bring some masonry picture hooks to post as the ordinary single/double pin type will not penetrate the walls.
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Annex C - List of Approved Schools in Nairobi Phone Name Physical Address Postal Address Contact Person Numbers Mobile Email/Web adress
KINDERGARTENS Headteacher Braeburn Early Learning Gitanga Road, PO Box 45112, Mrs Charlotte 0722685575 [email protected]
Unit Lavington Nairobi 00100 Hilton 020 5018000 0738685575 www.braeburn.com Issac Gathanju Early Learning Road, Off James Montessori Centre- Gichuru Road, PO Box 9279, Headteacher 0722790949 [email protected] Lavington Lavington Nairobi 00100 Miss Wendy 020 3000093 0737074274 www.elmc.co.ke International French Argwings Kodhek PO Box 47525 Director [email protected] School Rd Hurlingham 00100 Nairobi Mr Alexis Holtz 020 2437714 0770137472 www.diderot.ac.ke PO Box 24282 Headteacher Langata Road, Karen 00502 Ms Caroline 0202662139 0724256173 [email protected]
Hillcrest Early Years Karen Nairobi Gammon 0208070827 0736256173 www.hillcrest.ac.ke PO Box 23232 Kabete International Lower Kabete Lower Kabete Headteacher 020 4180831 [email protected]
School Road 00604 Nairobi Mrs Ailsa Wood 4180231 0716639282 www.kabete.net Farasi Lane, off PO Box 23058, Headteacher Kabete Junior Academy Lower Kabete Lower Kabete Mrs Michelle 020 2331291 [email protected]
(KJA) Road 00604 Nairobi Barlow 4180142 0722517462 [email protected] Othaya Road, Off 0712380840 Kensington Gitanga Road, PO Box 41138 Headteacher 0718020470 Kindergarten Lavington 00100 Nairobi Mrs Sheila Lobo No 0726971835 [email protected] PO Box 772 Headteacher Kyuna Road, Village Market Mrs Sarah 0722946258 [email protected]
Kyuna Kindergarten Westlands 00621 Nairobi Ichihashi No 0733750454 [email protected]
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Apple Cross Rd off Mbabane Rd PO Box 811 Lavington Montessori off James Gichuru Sarit Centre Headteacher 020 4348532 [email protected] Kindergarten Rd Lavington 00606 Nairobi Mr Martin Uhuru 2089894 0721601390 www.lavingtonmontessori.co.ke Headteacher Kingara Rd PO Box 25439 Mrs Carol [email protected]
Lavington Kindergarten Lavington Nairobi 00603 Hetimier 020 3867857 0733700145 www.lavingokindergarten.com
PO Box 24722 Headteacher 020 3547828 Pegasus Pre Prep Magadi Rd Karen 00502 Mr Andrew 8891220 0726439909 [email protected] (The Banda School) Langata Nairobi Bentley 8891260 0737563438 www.bandaschool.com
PRIMARY Braeburn Primary PO Box 16944 Headteacher 0732672839 [email protected]
Garden Estate Garden Estate Nairobi 00620 Mr Tim Richards 5018000 0710649301 www.braeburn.com Headteacher Braeburn Primary Gitanga Road, PO Box 45112 Mrs Charlotte 0722685575 [email protected] School Gitanga Lavington Nairobi 00100 Hilton 5018000 0738685575 www.braeburn.com PO Box 24282 Hillcrest Preparatory Langata Road Karen 00502 Headteacher 0202662139 0724256173 [email protected]
School Karen Nairobi Ms Karen Morey 0208070827 0736256173 www.hillcrest.ac.ke Principal- Elementary and [email protected] Pre K Miss [email protected] Patricia Salleh [email protected] End of Peponi Rd Mattah 0202091308/9 [email protected] International School of Kirawa Rd PO Box 14103 Principal - Middle 0720639343/63 [email protected] Kenya - (ISK) Spring Valley Nairobi 00800 Mr Craig Baker 4183622 0733639343/63 www.isk.ac.ke Headteacher Kenton College Gichugu Rd PO Box 30017 Mrs Maureen 0722205038 [email protected] Preparatory Kilileshwa Nairobi Nairobi 00100 Cussans 020 3541513 0733687077 www.kentonschoolnairobi.com
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Headteacher PO Box 31 Deborah Boyd- 020 0734480439 [email protected] Pembroke House Gilgil Gilgil 20116 Moss 2312323 0722526374 www.pembrokehouse.sc.ke Farasi Lane 020 [email protected] Peponi House Off Lower Kabete PO Box 23203 Headteacher 2585710/11/12 0734881255 [email protected] Preparatory Rd, Spring Valley Nairobi 00604 Mr Robert Blake 2385330 0722202947 www.peponihouseschool.co.ke PO Box 24722 Headteacher 020 Magadi Rd Karen 00502 Mr Andrew 8891220 0726439909 [email protected] The Banda School Langata Nairobi Bentley 8891260 0737563438 www.bandaschool.com
SECONDARY Braeburn Garden Estate PO Box 16944 Headteacher 0734600029 [email protected]
Secondary School Garden Estate Nairobi 00620 Mr John Herbert 5018000 0720667622 www.braeburn.com Headteacher Braeburn High School Gitanga Road, PO Box 45112, Miss Virginia 0721499951 [email protected] Gitanga Lavington Nairobi 00100 Catlin 5018000 0734777471 www.braeburn.com
[email protected] Hillcrest International Langata Road, PO Box 24819 Headteacher 0724255444 [email protected] School Karen Karen, 00502 Mr Ian Stamp 8067783/4 0733255442 www.hillcrest.ac.ke
[email protected] End of Peponi Rd [email protected] International School of Kirawa Rd PO Box 14103 Principal [email protected] Kenya - (ISK) Spring Valley Nairobi 00800 Dr Rob Blanchard 4183622 0733639342 www.isk.ac.ke
Sukari Ranch PO Box 236 Headteacher 0722287248 [email protected] Peponi School Ruiru Ruiru 00232 Mr Mark Durstan 020 3546456 0733615193 www.peponischool.org TERTIARY PO Box Headteacher Braeburn High School 45112, Nairobi Miss Virginia 0721499951 [email protected] Gitanga Braeburn Gitanga 00100 Catlin 5018000 0734777471 www.braeburn.com
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