Driving in Nairobi: A Guide for Diaspora Returning Home

What has changed since you left

The biggest change is the Nairobi Expressway, an elevated toll road that runs from Mlolongo, past Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), over Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway to James Gichuru Road in Westlands. A drive that once meant an hour or two crawling up Mombasa Road can now take well under an hour. The toll depends on where you join and leave, and toll rates change, so check the current rate on the day. If a toll is charged to the car, we pass it on at cost with no admin fee. Most of our cars carry an electronic toll card; if you would like to use it, tell us before you arrive and we will set it up.

The Southern and Eastern bypasses also let you skirt the city centre, which is handy if you are heading from the airport to Karen or out towards Thika Road. And the cashless habit has only grown: M-Pesa is accepted almost everywhere, from fuel stations to parking, so a working Kenyan line makes day-to-day driving much simpler.

Five habits to relearn on Nairobi roads

Driving in Kenya takes a mix of patience, defensive driving and a little assertiveness. Traffic laws apply, but the flow has its own rhythm.

• Keep left. Kenya drives on the left, with the steering wheel on the right. If you have been driving in the USA or mainland Europe, give yourself a few quiet kilometres (or miles) to adjust before you hit rush hour.
• Roundabouts. Give way to traffic already on the roundabout, coming from your right, signal clearly and hold your lane. Hesitate too long and the gap disappears.
• Matatus and boda-bodas. Minibuses (matatus) stop suddenly to pick up and drop off passengers, and motorbike taxis (boda-bodas) filter through narrow gaps. Check your mirrors and blind spots twice before changing lanes.
• Rush hour. Traffic is heaviest from about 6:30 to 9:00 in the morning and 4:30 to 7:30 in the evening. Plan errands and airport runs outside those windows when you can.
• Speed bumps and potholes. Main roads are generally good, but side roads in Westlands, Kilimani and the estates often have unmarked bumps and the odd deep pothole. Slow down on roads you don't know.

Navigation and police checks

Google Maps and Waze both work well in Nairobi and are good at showing live traffic. They don't always know how rough a back road is, so stick to main roads when the app offers a "shortcut" through an estate.

Traffic police checks are routine. Stay calm and polite, have your driving licence to hand, and answer questions simply. If anything is unclear, call or WhatsApp us on the number in your rental agreement and we will help.

Documents to carry

You can drive on a valid foreign licence for up to 90 days from arrival. If it is not in English, you also need an International Driving Permit. Staying longer? Confirm with NTSA. Keep your licence, your passport (or a clear copy of the photo page) and the rental agreement in the car. Our guide to the documents you need to rent a car in Kenya goes through the full checklist, including the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) that foreign-passport family members need.

Parking in Nairobi

Malls, hotels and office blocks in Westlands, Upper Hill, Kilimani and Karen mostly have their own car parks, often paid on exit. Street parking in the city centre is paid, usually by mobile money, so check the signs or ask the attendant. Wherever you park, don't leave bags or phones on show.

Fuel

Fuel stations in Kenya are attended: an attendant fills the car for you, so just tell them the fuel type and the amount. Most stations take M-Pesa and bank cards as well as cash. Our cars are handed over with fuel in the tank, and we ask you to return them at the same level, so the next traveller can set off straight away. Ask us at handover whether your car takes petrol or diesel, and fill up in town before any long drive.

Staying safe

Most trips in Nairobi are uneventful, and a few calm, simple habits keep them that way.

• Keep the doors locked and the windows up in slow traffic.
• Keep phones and bags out of sight, and never leave them in a parked car.
• Plan long drives to arrive before dark, and avoid driving between towns at night.
• Use main roads after dark, and secure parking at malls, hotels and offices.
• At night, do not stop for strangers waving you down.
• If you think someone is following you, drive to a petrol station, mall or police station and call us.
• Every car has GPS tracking, and our 24/7 line can see where you are.
• If police stop you, stay calm, be polite and show your licence. Official fines are paid through eCitizen or a bank, never in cash. Call us and put us on speaker.

Speed cameras and fines

• Speed camera and traffic fines are sent to us, as the car's owner, sometimes weeks after your hire.
• We send you the official notice with your booking reference.
• You pay only the fine, at cost. There is no admin or handling fee.
• Fines are paid only through official channels (eCitizen, a bank or our official payment details), never in cash at the roadside.

Before you travel, read the U.S. State Department's Kenya travel advisory for the latest official advice. Our 24/7 support line is there if anything worries you on the road.

Choosing the right car for your trip

The best car for driving in Nairobi depends on where your trip takes you after the city.

• Mostly city driving, meetings and errands: the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota Harrier are comfortable, easy to park and economical in traffic.
• Family visits with luggage: the seven-seat Mazda CX-8 or the Toyota Alphard, which is built for passengers and airport runs.
• Long drives upcountry: a 4x4 such as the Toyota Prado, the Land Cruiser V8 or the Land Cruiser Safari. Our Land Cruiser V8 vs Prado guide explains the difference. Our cars stay on paved roads, so tell us your destination when you book and we will confirm the route with you.

Drive yourself, or be driven?

If you are confident on Kenyan roads, self-drive gives you complete freedom. If you would rather rest after a long flight, work on the move or avoid rush hour altogether, every car can also be booked with one of our professional chauffeurs. Our self-drive vs chauffeur guide helps you decide.

Make the first drive the easy one

We deliver your car to JKIA arrivals, your hotel or your home in Nairobi, serviced before every rental, with unlimited mileage and a 24/7 support line while you have it. If a car ever breaks down, we replace it. You can book everything before you fly: see how booking works, then choose your car from the fleet.

Coming home with family? Our sister company Urban Escape Kenya has a guide to coming home to Kenya, from eTAs for children on foreign passports to the December rush and trips upcountry.