NAIROBI FACTS
Language
There are two main languages in Kenya. English is the official language while Swahili is the national spoken language.
Weather and Climate
Situated at a high altitude, Nairobi has a moderate climate. The rainy seasons are April to June and October to early December. Nairobi, at 1,675m has a mean annual temperature of 19°C (66°F). June to August is the coolest period of the year with temperatures dropping as low as 12°C (54°F).
Time
Nairobi is in the Central African time zone —GMT plus 3 hours all the year round.
Electricity
All regions in Kenya are supplied with 240 volts, 50 Hz. The plug in use throughout Kenya is of the three square pin, 13-amp type.
Local Laws
While in Kenya, local laws and penalties apply to you. Smoking in public places is banned in Nairobi. Offenders could be fined 2000 Kenyan shillings or jailed for six months. It is illegal to take photographs of some official buildings.
Banking and Currency
Kenya’s unit of currency is the “Kenya Shilling” (Ksh). One Kenyan Shilling is equal to 100 cents. The current exchange rate is approximately Ksh 60 to 1US$. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any bank or Forex Bureau. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm and Saturdays from 9am to 11 am. Before you leave, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas such as credit cards, travellers’ cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards.
ATMs that accept international cards are widely available in Nairobi. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.