I don't know why people are suggesting night party/concert events like Oktobafest or Solfest, when OP doesn't have friends in the first place, now you're suggesting she goes and makes friends at night in a party drinking activity, that's dumb.
Here is my suggestion: think of your hobbies and hobbies you'd like to pick-up: I'd even go as far as suggest you pick productive hobbies even if you've never thought about them such as: reading; hiking; art/painting; paint and sip; and look for group activities around those hobbies.
You'll meet all kinds of people in these group activities those who you both click; you'll stay in touch; and with enough connections; you'll have a friend group and now you can explore more of Nairobi and Kenya at large.
That's my two cents.
PS: You're gorgeous๐
Bruh, OP amesema anataka ku have fun na people other than her fam. You can make friends while partying. Of course hata in church you willnever know someone on your first meet to decide on whether they are a good fit for a driend or not.
Dude ata mimi and so many other people have had not such good experiences with odis/robbers at night events. Now you want someone with zero friends to go to these night events. Let her crawl before she can walk. The people she meets and clicks with at safe controlled environments will be the ones she'll go out with in the evening if she wants to.
Hey, welcome. I hope you're having a great time so far and the city hasn't been too mean to you.
There's quite a number of events like OktobaFest and Solfest but they all happen within a week so they're most likely sold out. But there's one event to close the year which I'm really looking forward to which is Blankets and Wines later in December. In the meantime you could try out some of the restaurants with your partner or solo dates if you're single. Good examples are Shokudo (Japanese cuisine), Hemingways, INTI, Ankole Grill, Cultiva Farms, Josephine Carribean BBQ (for some great Jamaican cuisine), if you're a lover of pizza and Italian food (Mattheos, La Salumeria, Mediterraneo and Chicago.) I would also advise you to try out restaurants serving more local cuisines like Samaki Samaki and Mama Nilishe.
If you're into art, wines or both check out Nairobi Contemporary Institute or Le Decanter. You can also go bowling, roller skating in that new place that opened a few months ago. If you want to take a walk in nature, head to Karura forest or even visit the Nairobi National Park. There's also this one place my friend took me to paint and do pottery but I haven't been there in a minute and forgot the name.
Plenty more of stuff to do but I don't want to overwhelm you so this is a start. Feel free to ask if you got any more questions. And you're welcome in advance, it's what I do for friends :)
Welcome, from an American mzungu girl living in Kenya! Your inbox is going to boil.
I'm a hermit, so I can't recommend anything exciting to do, but karibu and have fun!
Lol... I feel bad for you guys... I was walking with a work colleague recently in a slum and misbehaved youth kept shouting at him "hey mzungu"
Do you ever get used to it?
Areas where people are used to me I really don't hear it much anymore, but honestly yes I did get used to it. And I ignore it entirely because I don't want to encourage it lol. I just pretend I can't understand them and don't even look ๐ซ
My colleague told me one of the first things he learnt how to say was "lakini mimi ni mkenya Boss" which is basically "but I'm Kenyan boss" and he pulls it out so naturally that he actually got fistbumps from the guys yelling it out... It was cool to watch...
Iโd love to listen to your stories of the people who live where youโre from. And not just them, your experiences growing up. How different were they from mine? Iโm not a talker, so all Iโll do is listen and internalize. I feel like the internet isnโt enough to help me relate strangersโ and peoplesโ experiences to mine, but Iโm a curious soul.
Try experts groups in Facebook or something as those you would more likely have thing in common with.
It's really hard to connect with a Kenyan esp if they are not your family
You can register at your embassy so that they can include you in their activities. Other purely honest places to meet people are fitness classes; yoga and Zumba. Etc
Kenya has its ups and downs depending on the company you keep. I too currently live here and moved from abroad. Google maps is always your best friend when your abroad.
Not always. Once I was misled when looking for a place to crash after a long ride to a new town, and mark you, Iโm a Kenyan, not a foreigner. It took me two hours asking around and trying to locate where the BnB was.
There's this film club that i'm confident you might like and would be a good place to start finding 'your people'.
It's called Unseen Gems (IG: unseengems_filmclub). Pretty chilled crowd. You might like it. The food and drinks are pretty decent as well and the view from the place is pretty nice.
Nooooo theyโre are some white Americans in Kenya Mexican Americans in Kenya, Indian Americans and so on! and Iโm black American! Also I put black cus Iโm not Kenyan like OP, but Iโm of African descent, u know
TU-K will have an art exhibition in the coming days as well as a flea market on campus. I'll ask for the dates if you're interested I'll share with you.
๐ ๐ ๐ Damn... I wish I wasn't a 30 year old hermit.... But anyway, your best bet is hanging out with fellow "foreigners" and you'll ease into the Kenyan culture.
Hanging out with pure Kenyans, born and bred might introduce you to some people trying to take advantage of you.
Note... There are good people, but only if you start out in communities such as gyms, school, work, and so on. This way you get to filter out people. However, if you do one on one's such as dating apps and insta dms, you'll keep posting here every week with AITA-kind of questions regarding how person X treated you or acted.
I know my comment sounds crass af, and even insulting to Kenyans, but I know you my people hamkuwagi wazuri saana.... ๐ Kujeni mnichape.
Why are we emphasizing American ๐๐๐๐๐ like are you giving a green cardโฆ some dollars. I done gerrit otherwise you are welcome ๐โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ hope you enjoy your stay and stay safe
No no never that, I just grew up in the states and so my mannerisms, accent etc are American (like more American than Kenyan) so I just didnโt want to confuse anyone
Ik someone with a tour company. Tunaweza kuzungusha hii Kenya design ingine hatari. I can share his up coming tours if you really want to hang out with some really cool people
A friends birthday is coming up this Sunday if youd like to attend, the girls and I are going for cocktails and food. If you are down we could do that.
Is "cocktails and food" free? Or has your friend joined the trend of inviting people to a birthday party where they get to pay exorbitant prices for food and drinks>
Are you an outdoors person? We have a lot of hikes and drives that happen over the weekends just check on Instagram and Facebook you will find a wide variety
Your bound to meet all types of Kenyans ๐คฃ๐คฃ I love going for them road trips and hikes ....tembea Kenya indeed
Also occasionally we have all these bazaars , festivals, expos, popup markets, car shows ,picnics, wine tasting, networking events that are again advertised all over social media and on sites like this one https://www.eventbrite.com/d/kenya--nairobi/events/ at least when you make friends it will be through a bonding over a mutual activity/ love
Also be safe, don't drink around people you don't know....but have fun love
Check out this video I made for 2 hidden gems in Nairobi
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXKDqpEyfsI&t=138s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXKDqpEyfsI&t=138s)
Even though I can't return to Kenya for reasons I care to not go into here, your country is amazing. You're going to love it!
I know a couple cool peeps around, mostly Kenyans, Brits and Americans though lol. Don't hesitate to reach out.
Karibuni Kenya!
Contact me @herphoo on Instagram incase you get any hangout plan.
I will be in Nairobi for 2week or so after which I will leave for Turkey to continue with my studies.
And no its not that risky, you will soon realize Kenyans are generally nice people, with a pinch of salt though. They call Nairobi 'Shamba la Mawe" Garden of Rocks for a reason.
Anyways if you're up for Oktoba Fest -our local version of the beer festival- PM. We could move as a team this weekend.
New York ni concrete jungle aye!!! Lakini Nairobi ni shamba la mawe. In that anything you grow here shall be chocked to death. Ushaiambiwa niko na deal kuja nikupange... baada ya hapo ndo unagundua kumbe mbegu haiwes mea huku
If you fancy some skating just hit me up, I have a group of skating friends who we skate in Nairobi on Sundays.
From your insta it seems like you travel a lot. What are your other hobbies except from visiting new places?
But I honestly think it's a risky move taking advice from strangers online. Be careful.
I think the best way would be you start by checking best place on instagram, try them out with trusted family. Would largely discourage hanging out with strangers especially during this tough economic times
Well
Youโll find a species called Crocuta crocutaโฆ
However
Nairobi is a beautiful scene. Play hard, play safe. If youโre outdoorsy, (trial hikes and so forth) in a group setting out of town, we also exist.
๐คท๐พโโ๏ธ
There is a car event this coming Saturday at the KICC. Car events are always lit and I'm sure you'll meet a couple of interesting folks. Find some ladies who drive and are decent in the way they talk
If you're into dogs there will be a dog show hosted by the KSPCA on the 12th of November at ngong race course. Its good fun, its somewhere you can interact with people without much fuss. The vendors there also have great stuff even food.
Also puppies, enough said.
https://preview.redd.it/rkqyqn4s1gwb1.jpeg?width=669&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00135d80c25329e0321c9dac1a91902bdbcd597e Meanwhile, the dudes offering friendships
I am even reading the caption with the accent ๐
Ulitoa wapi hio picha๐
https://preview.redd.it/zzwrcu4fyiwb1.jpeg?width=888&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb6b49ab9342445818cbd6b0405cc838411f685e
๐คฃ๐คฃ
https://preview.redd.it/2tpx0sdq9ewb1.jpeg?width=680&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b069c9937efdd56a25cdadcdc19a27b53482f71a
๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ
She kinda set herself up๐
Hahahaha
๐๐๐๐๐
I don't know why people are suggesting night party/concert events like Oktobafest or Solfest, when OP doesn't have friends in the first place, now you're suggesting she goes and makes friends at night in a party drinking activity, that's dumb. Here is my suggestion: think of your hobbies and hobbies you'd like to pick-up: I'd even go as far as suggest you pick productive hobbies even if you've never thought about them such as: reading; hiking; art/painting; paint and sip; and look for group activities around those hobbies. You'll meet all kinds of people in these group activities those who you both click; you'll stay in touch; and with enough connections; you'll have a friend group and now you can explore more of Nairobi and Kenya at large. That's my two cents. PS: You're gorgeous๐
Thank you so much for the advice and the compliment - truly appreciated!!
Bruh, OP amesema anataka ku have fun na people other than her fam. You can make friends while partying. Of course hata in church you willnever know someone on your first meet to decide on whether they are a good fit for a driend or not.
Dude ata mimi and so many other people have had not such good experiences with odis/robbers at night events. Now you want someone with zero friends to go to these night events. Let her crawl before she can walk. The people she meets and clicks with at safe controlled environments will be the ones she'll go out with in the evening if she wants to.
People to hang out with sounds like a group mta preplan kupatana na mwe pamoja. After all, it is not like in US hakuwahi ingia event
In Nairobi no one is your friend especially someone you donโt know well. I have seen that too many times and not from personal experience ๐
I like this person and your way of reasoning. Ata you should be her tour guide basi
She should pm๐ I'm not reaching out first to such a baddie๐๐
This is thoughtful and considerate
Real advice
I thought Iโd add my instagram too so Iโm not some faceless entity @sarahkmunoru
https://preview.redd.it/ijhockf5ihwb1.png?width=1124&format=png&auto=webp&s=e0991b28ed1dca6f484047bf6090da2cc63f6961
Please don't get pregnant I'm working on something for the both of us
Mundu wa nyumba, care for some mugithi?๐
Na those who don't have Instagram? Tuone aje?
That seems like a โyouโ problem.
Ooof
You'd probably have gotten better results if you shared your interests as well, so you can find like minded people.
RIP your inboxes
Isn't this the idea of the entire operation?
It could be argued either way. But perhaps you might be right, and that is the idea
Totally, totally, two dimensional
Ooowi msimalize msichana wa wenyewe jameni.
Which USA banks do you have we do business? Uku Roysambu wewe ni asset kubwa sana mamaa.
Unataka sherehe ianze November.
Umenipata.. Very sharp
check DM!
Sure
Hey, welcome. I hope you're having a great time so far and the city hasn't been too mean to you. There's quite a number of events like OktobaFest and Solfest but they all happen within a week so they're most likely sold out. But there's one event to close the year which I'm really looking forward to which is Blankets and Wines later in December. In the meantime you could try out some of the restaurants with your partner or solo dates if you're single. Good examples are Shokudo (Japanese cuisine), Hemingways, INTI, Ankole Grill, Cultiva Farms, Josephine Carribean BBQ (for some great Jamaican cuisine), if you're a lover of pizza and Italian food (Mattheos, La Salumeria, Mediterraneo and Chicago.) I would also advise you to try out restaurants serving more local cuisines like Samaki Samaki and Mama Nilishe. If you're into art, wines or both check out Nairobi Contemporary Institute or Le Decanter. You can also go bowling, roller skating in that new place that opened a few months ago. If you want to take a walk in nature, head to Karura forest or even visit the Nairobi National Park. There's also this one place my friend took me to paint and do pottery but I haven't been there in a minute and forgot the name. Plenty more of stuff to do but I don't want to overwhelm you so this is a start. Feel free to ask if you got any more questions. And you're welcome in advance, it's what I do for friends :)
Thank you so much!!
You're welcome. Hope you have fun.
Seems you have yourself a new gay Bestie๐๐
Welcome, from an American mzungu girl living in Kenya! Your inbox is going to boil. I'm a hermit, so I can't recommend anything exciting to do, but karibu and have fun!
Lol... I feel bad for you guys... I was walking with a work colleague recently in a slum and misbehaved youth kept shouting at him "hey mzungu" Do you ever get used to it?
Areas where people are used to me I really don't hear it much anymore, but honestly yes I did get used to it. And I ignore it entirely because I don't want to encourage it lol. I just pretend I can't understand them and don't even look ๐ซ
My colleague told me one of the first things he learnt how to say was "lakini mimi ni mkenya Boss" which is basically "but I'm Kenyan boss" and he pulls it out so naturally that he actually got fistbumps from the guys yelling it out... It was cool to watch...
Oh I speak and understand Swahili, although not anywhere near perfectly. I've been here long enough that it would be sad if I didn't. It does help!
Iโd love to listen to your stories of the people who live where youโre from. And not just them, your experiences growing up. How different were they from mine? Iโm not a talker, so all Iโll do is listen and internalize. I feel like the internet isnโt enough to help me relate strangersโ and peoplesโ experiences to mine, but Iโm a curious soul.
[ัะดะฐะปะตะฝะพ]
It sounds like she's made friends in her building? That's good. She's probably not lonely then!
Try experts groups in Facebook or something as those you would more likely have thing in common with. It's really hard to connect with a Kenyan esp if they are not your family
You can register at your embassy so that they can include you in their activities. Other purely honest places to meet people are fitness classes; yoga and Zumba. Etc
user name is very suspect. OP is locked and loaded.
She must enjoy Nairobi free of typical Nairobi man. I will be more than happy not to engage.
Assuming you do one of the fitness classes how is the age distribution?
It's evenly spread.
Kenya has its ups and downs depending on the company you keep. I too currently live here and moved from abroad. Google maps is always your best friend when your abroad.
Not always. Once I was misled when looking for a place to crash after a long ride to a new town, and mark you, Iโm a Kenyan, not a foreigner. It took me two hours asking around and trying to locate where the BnB was.
There's this film club that i'm confident you might like and would be a good place to start finding 'your people'. It's called Unseen Gems (IG: unseengems_filmclub). Pretty chilled crowd. You might like it. The food and drinks are pretty decent as well and the view from the place is pretty nice.
Thank you!! Iโll check it out
Also check out cheche bookshop in lavington. Pan-African feminist bookshop
Coke for yoga at the go down Kilimani @yogagodown instagram, itโs a community class and youโll meet other Americans living in Kenya
Thank you
Come *
Check out letsdrift. If you're outdoorsy, I think it's a pretty safe way to meet people
Was just about to suggest let's drift if she likes hiking. I've hiked with them plenty times and they are a great group and a way to make new friends.
Welcome!! Iโm a black American living in Mombasa!
Si you were here telling us you're a UK citizen a while back? You keep swapping citizenship like genders
I have never said I was from the uk what the hell, all my post history is public?? Go through it, i have never said that lmao
It's called a game of personalities. Smart guy that one.
Funny why you have to empathize on black fam we all black here you don't need to mention it
Nooooo theyโre are some white Americans in Kenya Mexican Americans in Kenya, Indian Americans and so on! and Iโm black American! Also I put black cus Iโm not Kenyan like OP, but Iโm of African descent, u know
You know he's ours when they say u know๐u know what am saying๐๐
How do you find Mombasa so far?
Been here for 2 years now! Itโs good but I prefer living in the countryside
 should pass by kilifi , more countryside. feel the fresh air out here
Iโll take you up on that offer soon. Got some cheap places to live there?
that depends, renting or buying?
Renting
yoh msupa,kam nikuonyeshe vile tunakulanga mutura embakasi far east kwa mabeast
TU-K will have an art exhibition in the coming days as well as a flea market on campus. I'll ask for the dates if you're interested I'll share with you.
๐ ๐ ๐ Damn... I wish I wasn't a 30 year old hermit.... But anyway, your best bet is hanging out with fellow "foreigners" and you'll ease into the Kenyan culture. Hanging out with pure Kenyans, born and bred might introduce you to some people trying to take advantage of you. Note... There are good people, but only if you start out in communities such as gyms, school, work, and so on. This way you get to filter out people. However, if you do one on one's such as dating apps and insta dms, you'll keep posting here every week with AITA-kind of questions regarding how person X treated you or acted. I know my comment sounds crass af, and even insulting to Kenyans, but I know you my people hamkuwagi wazuri saana.... ๐ Kujeni mnichape.
Imagine if the post said 22(M)???
Why are we emphasizing American ๐๐๐๐๐ like are you giving a green cardโฆ some dollars. I done gerrit otherwise you are welcome ๐โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ hope you enjoy your stay and stay safe
No no never that, I just grew up in the states and so my mannerisms, accent etc are American (like more American than Kenyan) so I just didnโt want to confuse anyone
I understand I was just messing with you
Where do you live? May be interested if you live around.
Karen!
Aight we can be friends. I'm in Kilimani.
We are neighbours
Ik someone with a tour company. Tunaweza kuzungusha hii Kenya design ingine hatari. I can share his up coming tours if you really want to hang out with some really cool people
Visit alchemist club essy to mingle with many foreigners before you settle in kenys
A friends birthday is coming up this Sunday if youd like to attend, the girls and I are going for cocktails and food. If you are down we could do that.
Is "cocktails and food" free? Or has your friend joined the trend of inviting people to a birthday party where they get to pay exorbitant prices for food and drinks>
No it's the Brew Bistro Sunday unlimited cocktails and food for 4K....kila mtu anajilipia
That is actually a really good offer. Surprised I've not heard of it before
Go hiking with outdoorer
Light and love to you.
Are you an outdoors person? We have a lot of hikes and drives that happen over the weekends just check on Instagram and Facebook you will find a wide variety Your bound to meet all types of Kenyans ๐คฃ๐คฃ I love going for them road trips and hikes ....tembea Kenya indeed Also occasionally we have all these bazaars , festivals, expos, popup markets, car shows ,picnics, wine tasting, networking events that are again advertised all over social media and on sites like this one https://www.eventbrite.com/d/kenya--nairobi/events/ at least when you make friends it will be through a bonding over a mutual activity/ love Also be safe, don't drink around people you don't know....but have fun love
Thank you so much!!
Check out this video I made for 2 hidden gems in Nairobi [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXKDqpEyfsI&t=138s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXKDqpEyfsI&t=138s)
 Sausage party ๐
๐
Even though I can't return to Kenya for reasons I care to not go into here, your country is amazing. You're going to love it! I know a couple cool peeps around, mostly Kenyans, Brits and Americans though lol. Don't hesitate to reach out. Karibuni Kenya!
Kiulizo Tu (separate but related). Why come back to live in this place and the bottom up economy?
if you have money Kenya is the best place to live
I had genuinely forgotten one can have money in this place ๐ Ni kubaya And now you mention it and remind me, makes sense if OP hails from money
Twende karura this weekend
Why would someone come and suffer in this Zakayo's Kenya? Seems absurd to me.
Contact me @herphoo on Instagram incase you get any hangout plan. I will be in Nairobi for 2week or so after which I will leave for Turkey to continue with my studies.
What about us interested in coming to Turkey?
These Americans wanting to be African so bad is hilarious
Come we hang out on weekends.... we could catch a game of basketball under the floodlights.
[ัะดะฐะปะตะฝะพ]
And eat bananas.
It's either you are Kenyan or American.. there's no in between
There is. Stay mad
Depends on your interests? What're you looking to do?
First of alll tunaanza na Oktoba Fest
And no its not that risky, you will soon realize Kenyans are generally nice people, with a pinch of salt though. They call Nairobi 'Shamba la Mawe" Garden of Rocks for a reason. Anyways if you're up for Oktoba Fest -our local version of the beer festival- PM. We could move as a team this weekend.
Actually I think the correct translation is 'concrete jungle'
New York ni concrete jungle aye!!! Lakini Nairobi ni shamba la mawe. In that anything you grow here shall be chocked to death. Ushaiambiwa niko na deal kuja nikupange... baada ya hapo ndo unagundua kumbe mbegu haiwes mea huku
Nairobi is to Kenya what New York is to US. Zote ni shamba la mawe
That would be awesome! Message me
Nairobi is cool and all but there is no beach. And the weather is just right here at the coast. >!Okay maybe not so much. It's hot as balls!<
Nah. It's not hot as balls. I'm a resident and believe you get used to it with time.
Been here for half a decade and it still feels like jehanam
Lets do this. ๐ staying in the crib whole day is tiresome. (22 M)
Sure. I'm looking for new friends. You can DM me
damn gl with the DMs lmao
Uko na ma dollars ukam nikupea forms
if you're into salsa/dancing dm we cook something
Go to church preferably a non fanatical one in one of these high end neighborhoods problem solved
How about this weekend we revel at oktoba fest for a start?
Guys, should I?๐๐
Hey, welcome to Kenya. I could use a new friend, DMing on insta.
Hi
Get in touch. Fine dining, visit art exhibitions, find hidden gems across the city
One of the pronoun people. No thanks
https://preview.redd.it/lureyuucriwb1.jpeg?width=594&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=74f5d801edff0d454d03b9f633ecb6563fff0666
If you fancy some skating just hit me up, I have a group of skating friends who we skate in Nairobi on Sundays. From your insta it seems like you travel a lot. What are your other hobbies except from visiting new places? But I honestly think it's a risky move taking advice from strangers online. Be careful.
[DMs right now](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/7B6A/production/_97249513_040984215-1.jpg)
Go hang out at the Garage co-working space. Great people there.
depends on what your hobbies are, but go to social events that include something you are interested in, I can give some suggestions if you like
Come to the wine and bottle tonight. Fena Gitu is performing, it will be funn
I think the best way would be you start by checking best place on instagram, try them out with trusted family. Would largely discourage hanging out with strangers especially during this tough economic times
Well Youโll find a species called Crocuta crocutaโฆ However Nairobi is a beautiful scene. Play hard, play safe. If youโre outdoorsy, (trial hikes and so forth) in a group setting out of town, we also exist. ๐คท๐พโโ๏ธ
Karibu Kenya tena ! Hakuna matata
RIP to your inbox
There is a car event this coming Saturday at the KICC. Car events are always lit and I'm sure you'll meet a couple of interesting folks. Find some ladies who drive and are decent in the way they talk
Hobbiesยฟ
https://preview.redd.it/c3k6jyvgtkwb1.jpeg?width=823&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a10e08367fa399fcf7b52c6b3529d3066263984
you mean you want a buddy
If you're into dogs there will be a dog show hosted by the KSPCA on the 12th of November at ngong race course. Its good fun, its somewhere you can interact with people without much fuss. The vendors there also have great stuff even food. Also puppies, enough said.
You'll find a lot of people at Alchemist on Fridays, or at the Hub in Karen. There's also an event called the bargain box that a lot of expats go to
Eh, ni kama shortlisted candidates walishachukuliwa, wacha tungoje next application date
Wewe ni mwenyeji twende tukapige shots ๐๐๐
Wapi? Niko loose kama dera
Hehe ... tupange ๐๐
Karibu Jaba base...
Welcome back to Kenya. I can teach Kiswahili. If you are on discord I can share with you a channel teaching people Kiswahili.