Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya (Swahili: Jamhuri ya Kenya), is a country in Eastern Africa. At 580,367 square kilometres (224,081 sq mi), Kenya is the world’s 48th largest country by total area. Kenya’s capital and largest city is Nairobi, while its oldest city and first capital is the coastal city of Mombasa. Kisumu City is the third largest city and also an inland port on Lake Victoria. Other important urban centres include Nakuru and Eldoret. As of 2020, Kenya is the third largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and South Africa. Kenya is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast.
Kenya is a presidential representative democratic republic, in which elected officials represent the people and the president is the head of state and government. Kenya is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, COMESA, International Criminal Court, and other international organisations. Africa is Kenya’s largest export market, followed by the European Union.
Kenya provides an array of housing types for residents to choose from, including free-standing (detached) homes, townhomes, duplexes, apartments, and, as is popular with expats, homes inside gated estates. Homes do not often come with white goods included, though many apartment complexes have laundry facilities on site. Rental properties are often in high demand in major cities.
1-bedroom apartments are very few and are not particularly popular with expats anyway. Most apartment complexes are 2- and 3-bedroom. 3-bedroom houses are very few. Most houses are 4-bedrooms and above. furnished houses are quite hard to come by. If the expat is not bringing their own household goods, there are rental furniture companies in Nairobi. Most expats find suitable properties quite easily, it all depends on budget, location, size and personal preference Most rental payments are required on a monthly or quarterly basis. This will come down to negotiations with the landlord. The market has remained stagnated for a long time and there is a lot of construction and developments coming up.
Housing Facts
Popular Expat Areas
Westlands
Gigiri
Lavington
Riverside
Rosslyn Estate
Langata
Indicative Pricing (Unfurnished)
2-bedroom apartment: USD 500 – 1,000 p.m.
3-bedroom house: USD 1,300 – 2,000 p.m.
4-bedroom house: USD 1,600 – 3,200 p.m.
Indicative Pricing (Furnished)
2-bedroom apartment: USD 500 – 1,000 p.m.
3-bedroom apartment: USD 1,600 – 2,300 p.m.
3-bedroom house: USD 1,300 – 2,000 p.m.
General Knowledge
The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern Kenya
General Knowledge
Kenya’s Lamu Island, located off the northeast coast, is car-free
Kenya offers good quality schooling, with a variety of government, private, and international (foreign language) schools on offer. Foreign countries represented with international schools include the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Kenyan universities include University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Strathmore University.
Expat children generally attend private or international schools. A large number follow the British curriculum. Gaining admission to these schools will vary and some wait lists may be in place. The Rosslyn Academy for example is very difficult. Most school applications can be submitted online and there may be tests and interviews required. School fees will also vary depending on the year the child is to be enrolled for. Most school fees are to be paid in Kenyan shillings. With only the American school requiring USD. The German School also requires their fees to be paid in EUR. On top of the basic school fees, expat parents will need to budget for extra expenses such as textbooks, school uniforms and field trips.
Education Facts
Curricula
The school year runs from January to November. The schooling system operates on the basis of 8 years spent in Primary School, and 4 years in Secondary School.
Work or residents’ permits are issued to any non-Kenyan wishing to engage in employment in Kenya whether in gainful employment or voluntary service.
Work permits include, Class A, for persons who intend to engage in perspective for minerals or mining.
Class B: for persons wishing to invest in agriculture
Class C for professional’s
Class D for specific employment by specific employer and who is in possession of skills or qualifications that are not available in Kenya
Class F for applicants in a specific manufacturing business in Kenya
Class G for investors in specific trade
Class I members of a missionary Society
Class K for persons not under the age of 35 who have a guaranteed annual income of $24,000.
Passes
The following passes allow foreigners to remain for a certain purpose
A: Student Pass, this document is issued to persons seeking to enter and remain in the country for the purpose of receiving education or training at an educational or training establishment.
B: Dependent Pass, this document is issued to applicants to allow their dependents to enter and remain in the country
C: Special Pass, this document is issued to persons given specific employment by a particular employer for short duration not exceeding three months in which they are receiving educational training and educational or training establishment within the country where he or she has been accepted as a student.
D: Visitors pass, this document is issued to persons who wish to enter Kenya for the purpose of a holiday or visit for not exceeding six months.
Please note, dependents must apply for reentry passes, which will be included in their passports. The reentry visas are issued to dependence to avoid having to obtain a new visa every time they reenter Kenya.
Alien Card
Registration of foreign Nationals is governed by the Kenya citizenship and immigration act. The law requires that all foreigners wish to reside in Kenya for a period exceeding 90 days must be registered.
Renewal
Applications for renewals of long-term work permits are subject to the same requirements as the initial application. Every work permit may be renewed for further periods upon payment of the renewal fee, but it shall not be renewed for more than five years from the date of issue or renewal. The overall duration of a work permit is 5 years.
Departure and Deregistration
The registration in Kenya is only required if the applicant wants to start employment with another company and therefore wants to apply for a new work permit. If the applicant is leaving the country for good within the period of validity of the current work permit, no de registration or departure notification is required.
Visa Facts
Immigration Services
We are able to assist with a wide variety of visas across Africa, including Family, Study, Spousal, Short-term work, Long-term work, and Temporary Visitor visas.
Outbound
We offer outbound immigration services to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as Migration Through Investment programs for Grenada, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, and the United States.
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