16/06/2017
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE RELOCATING TO KENYA
Jambo! — Welcome to Kenya!
If you are planning to relocate to Kenya, you must be wondering what an expat life in Kenya is like?
Kenya is a country which boasts beautiful beaches, cosmopolitan cities, diverse cultures, Hospitable and friendly communities, and a fantastic wildlife.
With its rich multi-cultural background and tribal influences, Kenya is full of things to do and places to see and it’s no wonder that the expat community is constantly growing and thriving boasting a strong economy and plenty of opportunities for both families and professionals.
Before you rush to book your ticket, however, here are a few things that you need to consider before coming over, especially if it’s your first time in the country.
• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.
Prior to your relocation make sure you contact a Relocation agency to assist make your relocation seamlessly successful. It really works to your benefit.
The agency will guide you on every relocation aspect including: Immigration documentation, acquisition & furnishing of your home, Airport Pick up, orientation process, Choice of a School for Your Children, Recruitment of Domestic Staff, acquisition of a means of Transport for your family members and how to get employment or successfully start a business, just to mention but a few.
There are many such reputable agencies but I strongly recommend one that I know called Expatriate Desk whose website is www.expatriatedesk.com.
They are very professional, honest, hands on and committed to serving their clients. You will Thank me later!
• PLACE OF RESIDENCE
Most expats end up in either Nairobi or the Tourist attraction Coastal Region (Mombasa, Diani, Malindi, Mtwapa).
There are main areas in Nairobi which are the favourite choices of the expat community, and they are: Lavington, Westlands, Karen, Kitsuru, Kiuna, Muthaiga, Runda, Ridgeways, Windsor, Karen, Lower Kabete, Nyari, Runda, Gigiri just to mention but a few .
• IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS
Make sure you get all your documentations right from the onset. It may help to engage a relocation agency to guide on this process.
• CHILDREN’S SCHOOL
Where you choose to send your child to school in Kenya is determined by your preferred education Curricula, which part of Nairobi or Coast you will end up living in and which social circles you enter into. Now this depends completely on where you are coming from and what type of education you wish your child to have.
If you are following the European systems, Western or Canadian there are good international schools spread across Kenya, which teach ALL the education systems.
• SECURITY
Kenya is a generally Safe place to be in. But that being said, Many families also choose to hire or pay for an askari (guard) who will be on watch during the night.
• TRANSPORTATION.
Most Expat families buy cars for family use or hire or use Uber and other Local Taxi service providers. Others, however, get cars provided by their employers.
Also, Kenya is the home of safaris, an experience that every expat loves. So a car with which you can drive off-road and into the wild is absolutely essential.
If you have the above areas covered, then you might as well jump on the next plane to Kenya and start to enjoy the experience.
Kenya is a fantastic country, which boasts one of the best climates all year round, ensuring you get that tan and constant supply of vitamin D!
It’s a country where you learn to expect the unexpected and you have to have a great sense of humor while out there. Although the list of things to look into may seem slightly daunting, I promise it will be worth it and all the hassle will seem like a distant memory while you are sipping a Tusker (East African beer), Biting into your Nyama Choma (Roast Meat) and on a Safari watching a herd of elephants in the distance.
Ahsante Sana.
Feel Free to contact me at [email protected]
is registered and domiciled in Nairobi Kenya- Africa with strategic partnerships and branches across the region. We offer expatriate advisory and assistance services across the world – services that meet the demands of relocating families in today’s hectic business climate.
