Nairobi Shopping

Biashara Street in Nairobi´s city center is where budget-conscious tourists as well as locals go for fabrics and textiles. Most of the shopowners are members of the thriving Indian community - fourth generation Kenyans whose ancestors were once brought to East Africa by the British to build the railroad. Some of the shops, like Haria´s, are mainly targeting tourists and also selling curio articles like carved animals or beaded bracelets, others are doing the tourists as an extra business. What you can get in all of them, are kangas (the tradional colorful fabric with many different patterns worn by women), kitenges (simlila like kangas, but different patterns and slightly thinner fabric) and kikoys (worn by men in the coastal area, made of cotton with some stripes) and shukas (the massai style blankets) You will find a bigger selection and lower proces than in the tourist shops.

What to buy: What you can get in all of these shops, are kangas (the tradional colorful fabric with many different patterns worn by women), kitenges (simlila like kangas, but different patterns and slightly thinner fabric) and kikoys (worn by men in the coastal area, made of cotton with some stripes) and shukas (the massai style blankets) You will find a bigger selection and lower proces than in the tourist shops.

What to pay: you will pay about 300 - 350 KES for simple kangas and kikoys, about 450 KES for shukas. In some of the shops you can also get kikoy-inspired bedspreads or shower towels which are more expensive

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Inside the old city boxing stadium there is now a market that caters to both locals and tourists alike. Vendors sell tourist items such as wooden sculptures, T-shirts, and various other odds and ends. Some of the vendors sell flowers, fruit and vegetables, newspapers, and various other items that are mostly of interest to locals.

The sellers can be very agressive, but make sure that you bargain for what you are getting. If your skin color gives you away as not being from Africa, then expect to pay more, but don't let them cheat you either. Try to be just as agressive in your bargaining tactics as they are in trying to sell things. If you name a price and they insist on something much higher, be prepared to walk away. If they chase you down and lower their price continue bargaining.

In the main photo, look in the lower right corner: you will notice fruit for sale there. On the balcony above, you will notice various items of interest to locals and tourists such as clothing and women's accessories. The same type of thing can be seen in the second photo.

What to buy: There is a wide assortment of stuff here. Look for toys and sculpture made from twisted wire, or Masai spears, or a wide assortment of other such items.

Or local newspapers, or food items, or leather goods, carved wood.....

The basket made from twisted wire seen in the 4th photo was purchased at this market, as was the wall hanging seen in the 5th photo. The wall hanging appears to have been made from the remains of a burlap sack, plus various grass and possibly some banana leaves. The frame was purchased at I've Been Framed in Portland, Oregon.

What to pay: Whatever you are able to get them to bargain down to. If possible, find a Kenyan friend that you trust to help you bargain in their own language, and who knows the fair price for items.

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For an interesting African shopping experience, visit the market at Ring Road and Ngong Road. Here, the Ring Road stops, and on the south side of Ring Road is an open area where the road has not been finished. People use it as a major pedestrian throughfare, and thus the occupation by various locals selling all manner of items.

NONE of these items are intended for the tourist market. It is ALL aimed at the local market. Therefore, you will not find your standard tourist items here. This could be a very interesting and useful experience for some, and one that is of no interest at all to others. It all depends on your level of interest in exploring the local culture.

Be VERY CAREFUL when taking photos here, as most of the people you will find here do not appreciate having their photo taken. Some will ask for money to have their photo taken. Others don't mind if you photograph your group going through the area, so your best bet is probably to photograph your group as Brian F. did of our group.

Photo 4 is from the Kaster family collection. It's OK to get people, but just be careful who and how you take your photos, as some people don't like it at all.

What to buy: Fruits
Vegetables
Fish (including anchovies)
assorted local crafts that are aimed to serve local needs (no tourist type items)
assorted local foods (street vendors)
Whatever people can find or make to sell.

What to pay: Whatever you can get them to sell it to you for. Bargain hard! or not, for those of us who are useless at doing that.

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Appologies for the photos! This particular camera does really poor in these low light conditions.

While the main store for Kazuri is located in the UK, their workshop and office facility here in Nairobi also has a small store where they sell their fair trade goods. These items are all made here locally, and help provide income for those who badly need it.

Kazuri is primarily known as a ceramic bead maker, and in fact their UK web site only talks about that aspect of their business. However, here in Nairobi their store sells a wide variety of plates, cups, trays, and various other ceramic pieces. There are also other odds and ends, but primarily what is here are ceramics.

Photo 2 (again appologies for the quality of the photos due to the camera I was using not being good in interior and low level light conditions) shows some of the larger ceramic items, such as plates and trays, that are not distributed outside Kenya as part of the Kazuri line of beads. Photo 3 shows some of the work they are best known for: ceramic beads.

The website given below is aimed at those in the UK and others outside Kenya, and does not mention (at least not yet) their little store here in Nairobi. For much better photos of their beads, as well as it visit their on-line store, it is best to go there. However, only the beads are distributed there, and the rest of the delicate items sold in their store in Nairobi are only available there.

What to pay: You are not allowed to bargain over price here!

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It was saturday morning and I was strolling around the city area with no particular interest. Have bought a couple of video cd's with traditional Kenyan music and there in the shop the guy reminds me on saturday Maasai Market which I missed to see in my previous visits........
TO BE CONTINUED

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take your time. look around. there are crafts, antiques that are not only east african but west african, north african, south african and much cheaper than you would get in mall stores.

What to buy: jewellery, decor

What to pay: the less of a hurry you are in, the more of a conversationalist you can be, the better the price you'll find. talk about politics, your own family/country/meagre earnings and sometimes the price can drop down to more than 90% its original.

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The covered City Market is situated in the Muindi Mbingu Street, right in the centre of the town. The building was originally built as an aircraft hangar. It offers cheap and fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. On the rear side of it there is small corridor where one can buy attractive handicraft made souvenirs, but remember, burgain first before buying them.

Located right downtown on Tubman Road, near the Jamia Mosque, City Market sells everything from pots and pans to Kenyan tribal art and carvings. Though not as large as some other markets in the region, this market is WELL worth a visit, particularly for those interested in buying Kenyan souvenirs.

Three words to the wise: Bargain, bargain, bargain.

Keep an eye on your valuables, as the market, like many others, is a bit sketchy.

What to buy: Tribal masks;
Tik wood carvings;
Batiques;
etc.

What to pay: Less than $20 for most items.