Nairobi works well as a remote-work base: good fibre in the main areas, a convenient time zone for Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and a busy startup and coworking scene.
The permit
Working in Kenya, even for a company abroad, needs the right status. Kenya’s Class N permit is aimed at digital nomads: people working remotely for employers or clients outside Kenya.
- It requires an income from outside Kenya, reported in 2026 as at least about USD 24,000 a year.
- Holders may not take work or earn income from the Kenyan market.
- It is applied for online through the Directorate of Immigration Services’ foreign nationals services, with proof of income, a passport, and a police clearance from home.
Rules and fees change, so check the Directorate’s current requirements before you apply. Working on a visitor’s entry is not allowed.
Internet
- Home fibre - Safaricom, Zuku and Faiba cover most of the main residential areas. Ask which providers serve a building before you rent.
- A backup - a mobile data bundle on a second network, or a mobile hotspot, for when the fibre goes down.
- Starlink is available for places without fibre.
See Utilities in Nairobi.
Power
Outages happen, usually for a few hours. For calls that matter:
- A UPS for the router, and a laptop with a good battery.
- A building with a backup generator that covers the flats, not just the lifts and lights.
- A coworking space as a fallback on bad days.
Coworking
Coworking spaces are spread across Westlands, Kilimani, Upper Hill and along the main roads, with day passes and monthly desks. Many have their own generators and backup internet, which is often the main reason to pay for one.
Time zones
Nairobi is on East Africa Time (UTC+3) all year, with no daylight saving. That puts it two or three hours ahead of the UK, one or two ahead of central Europe, and seven or eight hours ahead of the US east coast - late-afternoon calls with New York are normal.
Tax
Where you pay tax depends on your residence and where the work is done. Kenya treats someone living here for 183 days or more in a year as resident. Get advice from a tax adviser who knows both countries before you arrive.