Kenya drives on the left. Nairobi driving is assertive, roundabouts are contested, and matatus and boda bodas follow their own logic. Give yourself a few weeks as a passenger before taking the wheel.

Your licence

The full process is in Getting a Kenyan driving licence.

  • Visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence for a limited period. Carry an International Driving Permit with it.
  • Residents should get a Kenyan driving licence. Licences are handled by NTSA through eCitizen. Holders of licences from many countries can apply to have them recognised; otherwise it means driving school and a test. Start early, because it takes time.

Kenyan licences are now smart DLs, issued as cards.

Insurance and documents

Third-party insurance is compulsory; comprehensive cover is sensible. Insurance certificates are digital, and police can check them against the registration number. Keep your licence with you, and make sure the car’s inspection is current if it is a commercial or older vehicle.

Rules and police

  • The speed limit in built-up areas is generally 50 km/h, and lower near schools. Watch for signs on the highways.
  • Seatbelts are compulsory for everyone, phones are not allowed while driving, and police run breathalyser checks, especially at night and over holidays.
  • Traffic police stop cars at roadblocks. Be polite, show your documents, and if you are told you have committed an offence, ask for the formal notice rather than settling on the spot.

Parking

Parking in the CBD and most county streets is paid, through Nairobi City County’s system by M-Pesa, and enforced by kanjo officers who clamp cars. Malls and office buildings have their own paid parking. At night, park somewhere guarded.

Buying a car

Importing one yourself is covered in Importing a car to Kenya.

Most cars on Kenyan roads are imported used from Japan and the UK. When buying second-hand:

  • Run a search of the registration number on the NTSA system to check the owner and whether the car has a loan against it.
  • Have a mechanic you trust inspect it.
  • Complete the transfer of ownership on the NTSA system and get the logbook in your name. Do not pay in full until that is under way.

Security in the car

Keep doors locked and windows up in slow traffic, with bags and phones out of sight. Smash-and-grab theft through an open window is the most common crime against drivers.

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