Transportation
In Kenya, traffic is on the left hand side. And that’s the only rule that counts…
You rarely need the 4wd, but if you also plan to visit the National Parks on your own, you definitely need the high clearance! Just driving around town it is nice to be seated high so you can overlook the road, and better push your way forward in the peak hours of traffic.

You can drive all around Nairobi, but certain areas should be avoided if you really don’t have any business in the area. Especially at night it is advised to be careful.
Bikes
Getting around town on a bicycle or motorbike is (of course) possible, but not recommended! – You will find yourself squeezed out onto the curb on the narrow roads or having difficulty keeping your balance when flying over the many pothole s.

Public transportation
The public transportation in the major cities is based on buses, and the popular are mini-buses, called matatus. Both kind of buses have numbers and follow certain routes around. Buses come around approx. every 20-30 minutes and stop at designated bus stops, whereas matatus go when they are full of passengers and will stop to pick you up/drop you off wherever you like along the route. In town, buses and matatus are cheap – Kshs. 5 to 50 depending of the distance you are going, and time of day (most expensive during peak hours morning and afternoon).

Taxi
There are several taxi companies around Nairobi, as well as a lot of small one-car enterprises (any car parked with a wooden sign on the roof saying "taxi"). The private cars are cheapest, but in some areas of town and especially in the dark hours, it is recommended to use one of the major companies:
To go from Nairobi international airport to somewhere in town is around Ksh. 1,400.
A place to stay
When you arrive in Kenya, you will probably stay in a hotel for the first few days. To get some more privacy you can consider a furnished apartment for the next few months. You will find a lot of possibilities around Nairobi. For a one-bedroom apartment or a small two-bedroom apartment it is usually around Ksh 60,000 per month. If you are going to stay longer, you might want to find a bigger apartment or a house.to get such information read the daily Nation or Standard newspapers, Focus on Property (Ksh 60), the weekly ADmag (free, every Friday), notice boards in shopping centres/organisations, or go to some of the real estate agencies.

Remember to ask for availability of water, electricity and phone. These resources are scarce in some areas. The waiting lists are long for getting a telephone line, and it is best to make sure that it is already connected to your proposed home. Also, if possible try to talk to a prior tenant, in order to know some more about the place, area and landlord.

As a matter of precaution it is advised not to sign any documents before any work that is to be done by the landlord has been dealt with.

Real Estate Agencies
There are several real estate agencies around who are of great help in the search for a home. Usually, they are good at helping out with all the practical things.

Prices for housing
Apartments with 3 bedrooms are around Ksh 40,000 to 60,000 per month including 24h security of the compound. Maisonettes (or town houses) usually have a small garden and parking within the compound and go for around 40,000 to 80,000 per month. Houses with 3 to 5 bedrooms are around Ksh 60,000 to 150,000 per month, depending on location, size of garden, etc. For houses, the price does not include security. In Kenya it is advised to have 24h security. So you should add around 15,000 per month. for 24h security through one of the major companies.
Important numbers
Emergency
Police/ambulance/fire department 999
Central Police Nairobi 22 22 22
Central Police Mombasa (011) 22 55 01
UN Security Control Room (24h) 21 20 00

Ambulances
St. John (24h) 22 40 66
AAR 71 53 19
EARS Group Ltd. 56 29 96

Hospitals
Nairobi Hospital 72 21 60
Aga Khan Nairobi 74 25 31 / 74 76 76
Gertrude’s Children Hospital 76 34 74-7
Aga Khan Mombasa (011) 31 42 01
Coast General 011 31 42 01

Complaints
Water – Nairobi 22 52 22 / 22 42 91
Electricity – Nairobi 21 42 14
Nairobi City Council 22 42 81

Water – Mombasa 22 06 43
Electricity – Mombasa 22 45 33

Telephone
Operator (local) 900
Operator (international) 0195 / 0196
Telegrams 990

Embassies
In case of problems or loss of passport, you should contact your embassy.

Housing

Kenya Building Society (KBS) is wholly owned subsidiary of Housing Finance, and its core business is the development of residential houses. Currently KBS is involved in the sale of Houses in Komarock Phase IV with 550 units, raging from two to four bedrooms. 13 units are still available. A special interest rate of 9.9% is given for the first two years of the mortgage life and the rates are changed to rack rate (prevailing market rates) in the third year. Komarock Phase IV has good infrastructure – paved roads, telephone services, water and other social amenities. Each house is well built, has it’s own plot and car park. Contact Rehani House, Housing Finance, 2nd floor, room 231. Telephone: 333910 Ext. 319/320, 250809/220240 E-mail address: [email protected]

Living Accommodations
The St. Lawrence University Study Center is located on 5 1/2 acres in the Nairobi suburb of Karen, eight miles from the city center. Transportation to and from the city is also provided by program vehicles. For the brief periods during which all students are together, they live in a large dormitory. The program director, two assistant directors, and their families live on the property and are easily accessible. Linens, blankets and morning and evening meals are provided, as are weekly lunch stipends. Students pay a $25 fee during the first week in Kenya that covers laundry services throughout the semester.