Most Nairobi rentals come unfurnished, often without a fridge or cooker. This is how people furnish a flat without overpaying.
Furniture
- Made to order. Roadside furniture makers - many along Ngong Road and in the estates - make beds, sofas, tables and wardrobes to your design, usually for less than a shop. Agree the wood, the finish, the price and the delivery date in writing, pay a deposit, and check the work before paying the rest.
- Shops and malls for ready-made furniture, at higher prices.
- Second-hand. People leaving Nairobi sell whole households. Watch expatriate groups, Facebook Marketplace and Jiji.
A fundi can also make curtains, fit shelves and fix almost anything.
Appliances
Fridges, cookers, washing machines and water dispensers are sold in supermarkets such as Carrefour and Naivas, specialist appliance shops, and online. Ask about the warranty and whether delivery and installation are included. A voltage stabiliser or surge protector protects expensive appliances from power fluctuations.
Water, power and gas
- Drinking water: a dispenser with refillable bottles, or a filter.
- Tokens: know how to buy electricity tokens on your first day.
- Gas: buy a cylinder and a burner or cooker. See Utilities in Nairobi.
- Backup: a rechargeable lamp and a power bank for outages.
Security
- Check the locks and grilles, and change the locks if you are unsure who has keys.
- Many households add an alarm linked to a security response company for a monthly fee.
- Get to know the askari at the gate.