Guide to Driving In Kenya - Drive Safe in Kenya

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Kenya and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

110 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

110 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 80mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Kenya on the Left side  
urban
The currency in Kenya is KES
urban
To rent a car is  23 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Kenya 1.21 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Kenya

Driving in Kenya
Pocket guide to driving in Kenya
Profile:
Kenya
Nairobi
KES
Driving in Kenya
SPEED: (kph)
50
110
110
Speed limit in Kenya
Holiday:
Rush hour in Kenya
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Kenya
FUEL:
1.21
1.17
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Kenya
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
23
Min driving age in Kenya
DRINK:
80mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Kenya
EMERGENCY:
999
Emergency phone number in Kenya
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Kenya
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Kenya
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Kenya
See here for current child seats law in Kenya

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Kenya?

As a former colonial country, you'll find that Kenya drives on the left of the road. Currently there are several areas near the coast where it's inadvisable to drive, especially near the border with Somalia. You'll find that road quality is good in and around the towns and cities although regularly jammed with traffic. Out of town, the road conditions gradually worsen.

The most popular reason for driving in Kenya is to enjoy a safari. Because of the dangers inherent in this activity, make sure you have a reliable vehicle, preferably a 4x4, take plenty of water, food and spare fuel with you and leave details of your route with someone before you set off.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112 or 999 or 911

Police Fire: 112 or 999 or 911

Police Ambulance: 112 or 999 or 911

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.33

€ 1.37

Feb , 2024

€ 1.17

€ 1.21

Jan , 2024

€ 1.20

€ 1.24

Dec , 2023

€ 1.26

€ 1.32

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking Regulations

In smaller towns you can park sensibly just about anywhere without charge. In the cities you'll need to buy an all day parking permit to park anywhere in the city's car parks. Without it you will be clamped.
 

Paid parking
 

Paid parking is only prevalent in the cities but you may find people will try it on wherever you park saying they own the land etc. You must buy an all day parking permit to park in municipal car parks in the cities and major towns.
 

Enforcement
 

Enforcement of parking is done by the police or by owners of private parking areas. There are no traffic wardens and there seems to be a prevalence of 'freelance' parking attendants who earn a commission from clamping and towing companies.
 

Disabled parking
 

There are no specific parking spaces for disabled drivers in Kenyan car parks.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112 or 999 or 911

Police Fire: 112 or 999 or 911

Police Ambulance: 112 or 999 or 911

The emergency numbers in Kenya are 112 for the police and 999 for fire and ambulance.

What to do in an emergency

In an emergency, you are likely to be surrounded by a small crowd. If possible, call the police as soon as possible as others will try to 'sort out' the problem, usually in favour of a local. Insist that none of the vehicles are moved and if possible, photograph the scene as the police may take some time to arrive by which time some of those involved are likely to have driven off.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

I have broken down - Mimi kuvunjwa chini
Where is the police station? - Kituo cha polisi kiko wapi?
I have a puncture - Nina puncture
I have been in an accident - Nimekuwa katika ajali
Where is? - Ni wapi?
Where can I buy petrol? - Ambapo naweza kununua petrol?

Kenya Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.33

€ 1.37

Feb , 2024

€ 1.17

€ 1.21

Jan , 2024

€ 1.20

€ 1.24

Dec , 2023

€ 1.26

€ 1.32

Nov , 2023

€ 1.24

€ 1.30

Oct , 2023

€ 1.31

€ 1.37

Sep , 2023

€ 1.29

€ 1.36

Aug , 2023

€ 1.16

€ 1.25

Jul , 2023

€ 1.09

€ 1.18

Jun , 2023

€ 1.15

€ 1.24

May , 2023

€ 1.15

€ 1.24

Apr , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.24

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Mar , 2024 1.33 1.37
Feb , 2024 1.17 1.21
Jan , 2024 1.20 1.24
Dec , 2023 1.26 1.32
Nov , 2023 1.24 1.30
Oct , 2023 1.31 1.37
Sep , 2023 1.29 1.36
Aug , 2023 1.16 1.25
Jul , 2023 1.09 1.18
Jun , 2023 1.15 1.24
May , 2023 1.15 1.24
Apr , 2023 1.13 1.24

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Kenya and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

Visitor Comments

  • 12/02/2019

    Mash

    Your translation of "I have broken down" to "mimi kuvunjwa chini" is actually meaningless in Swahili. Just say "gari limeharibika" to mean "the vehicle has a problem" rather than "broken down". In addition, asking for a towing vehicle is much harder these shores. Just tell them to get you a break down and a towing vehicle guy will come
  • 29/10/2018

    Mnw

    I have broken down - Mimi kuvunjwa chini ---gari limeharibika Where is the police station? - Ni kituo cha Polisi ni wapi? ---kituo cha polisi kiko wapi? I have a flat tyre - Mimi na tairi gorofa ---gurudumu langu limetoboka Emegency number for police is 112
  • 29/10/2018

    Dan Sitati

    Your Swahili translation for 'I have a flat tyre' is wrong. "Mimi natairi gorofa" translates to ' I'm circumsised storied building'. You are better of using sign language instead. The most common used word for a flat tyre in Kenya us "puncture". You mention that and everyone will know what you mean.
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