Kenya


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Guide for dating in Kenya helps you to meet the best girls. This dating guide gives you tips how to date Kenyan women. You will learn rules where and how to flirt with local Kenyan girls. We advise how to move from casual dating to the relationship and find the real love. We also tell the best dating sites in Kenya. In this article below you will find more information where to meet and date girls in Kenya, Africa.

Hot Kenyan girls partying at the N club in Nairobi


Girls in Kenya:

  • Looks of girls: 3.5 / 5
  • Attitude of girls: 3 / 5
  • Loyalty of girls: 3 / 5
  • Education level of girls: 4 / 5

Dating in Kenya:

  • Chance of arranging dates: 3.5 / 5
  • Casual dating culture: 3 / 5
  • Online dating popularity: 2.5 / 5

Sex in Kenya:

  • Women's sexual activity: 3 / 5
  • One-night stands: 2.5 / 5

More about Kenya:

  • Nightlife in general: 4 / 5
  • Locals' English level: 4 / 5
  • Budget per day: US$50 - $500
  • Accommodation: US$10 - $200

Dating

Kenya is located on the East African coast. The country is bordered by Tanzania, Uganda, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia on the land side and the Indian Ocean on the waterfront. Kenya has a population of about 45 million people in an area of about 584,000 square kilometers. The local population belongs to one of 42 ethnic groups. In addition to the locals, the country has a significant population of Asians and Arabs. According to the Kenyan constitution, there is no official state religion in the country though about 80% of the population are Christians while about 13% are Muslims. The capital city and major commercial and economic center in the country is Nairobi. Other main cities include Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru.

Dating Kenyan girls is fun and quite enjoyable. There are opportunities for a one-night stand, occasional sex, and even long-term relationships. Kenyans have been generally known to be welcoming people and this will help you as you look for a partner. You may want to be careful with your selection of women as some girls may look older than they look. When you come across a girl in a club or even in the streets, use your judgment to know her age. The legal age in Kenya for consent is 18 years.

Dating Culture

There are many opportunities to date Kenyan girls. While some of the older women in the city may have some hint of their traditional demeanor, many girls in Kenya do not conform to any set norms or cultures especially in matters of dating. The girls are open to dating any type of person and their choice is usually personal. Many single Kenyan girls are waiting for the one person who will approach them and treat them right. Once you do this right, you will be ready to have a wonderful adventure.

Sugar Dating

Sugar dating is one of the best ways to find a date in 2023. Men who are willing to buy gifts for sugar babies, will get physical or emotional pleasure for a return. Take a look of the wide selection of girls from SecretBenefits.

Online Dating

Dating in Kenya can be a bit tricky due to not knowing if you have a solid connection, so your best bet is to sign up for a dating site before you venture to the night club or bar, so you can meet a few locals ahead of time. AdultFriendFinder.com lets you meet local members in Kenya and get to know them on a personal basis before you meet in person. Take advantage of site features like live chat and member to member webcams so you can begin flirting before arranging a face-to-face meeting.

Webcam Dating

Feeling lonely in Kenya? Arrange a virtual date with your favorite webcam girl right now! We have thousands of hot girls online waiting for you. Visit DatingLocalGirlsLive.com!

Women

Although small but significant gains by women have been made - including the election of Kenya’s first female senators and governors - the constitution still requires that not more than two-thirds of elective or appointed public bodies be of the same gender. This is commonly referred to as the “two-thirds gender rule”.

In 2017, just 23 women were elected to the National Assembly (from 290 contested seats) and three women were to the Senate (from 47 contested seats). Overall this means that women still make up just 21% of the National Assembly and Senate, meaning Kenya is falling far short of its constitutional requirement of 33%. The elections also saw significant levels of sexual and gender-based violence, with many female candidates reporting they faced harassment, abuse and violence during the election campaign.

There were reports of female candidates being shot at, having their houses burnt down and being held hostage to prevent their political participation. A recent report by Human Rights Watch concluded 65 women and 16 girls experienced sexual violence during the post-election period and claimed that a number of the attacks were carried out by security forces.

Even women candidates who succeed in winning office in the face of these obstacles continue to live under the threat and reality of physical violence. Evidence grows that women are targeted in gender-specific ways - often by their male counterparts - through harassment and intimidation and that complaints raised by women politicians are publicly dismissed or ridiculed - some incidents have even been turned into memes and jokes plastered onto t-shirts.

Before the 2010 constitution, space for meaningful participation by women in Kenya’s political sphere was extremely small. The constitutional reforms were a response to the past and present exclusion of women, but they were not fully implemented - a fact that haunted the previous parliament and cabinet.

The 2010 constitution put in place clear legal provisions for entrenching gender equality in Kenya and established several commissions to collectively address the challenges. Kenya has also ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, which explicitly requires countries to enforce laws prohibiting all forms of violence against women and to punish the perpetrators. And it must not be forgotten that Kenya is also a state party to the African Charter, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which also require governments to protect women against violence.

Kenyan Girls (age 18 - 29)

Every year many young girls leave their families in the villages go to the cities and towns to either join the many tertiary learning institutions in the city while some who have finished their studies elsewhere come to the city to look for jobs. For those who will be coming to further their education, they will be taking accommodation in the colleges and universities or hostels. The ones looking for jobs will most likely stay with relatives before they are stable enough to move out and stay alone. To manage the cost of living, some girls opt to share rooms with their friends.

This number coming in will add to the many girls who have been born and brought up in the urban areas. While many of those who have their families in the city will continue to stay with their families, some will seek independence by moving out and only visiting their families over the weekends or during holidays. Since these girls are just getting into adulthood, many of them are not financially dependent yet. Many still depend on their parents for support though some seek side jobs to supplement their income and better their lives. It is at this stage that girls also look to carve an identity for themselves. Those who do not come from rich families usually try to match up to their richer counterparts. They do so either by looking for additional income streams such as entrepreneurship or getting other jobs.

Kenyan girls have been known to upscale their lives is by getting what is locally known as sponsors. A sponsor is an older rich person who provides for a young girl her financial needs. In return, the girl will offer herself to meet the sexual wants of the older man. This phenomenon is most rife with girls in colleges and universities. It is not uncommon to see a university student living in an expensive apartment in a posh estate, driving a high-end vehicle, wearing designer clothes without any visible income-generating activity.

On average, Nairobi girls are generally well-endowed. At this age bracket, the girls' bodies are developing in the right places. The breasts are firm and pointed and the girls dress to accentuate their prominence. Their bums also grow round and big and they will be noticeable as most girls dress in tight dresses, skirts, and trousers to show off the form of their bodies. Nairobi girls are known for their liberal dressing and they are comfortable walking around in low-cut tops that show cleavage and miniskirts to expose their thighs. This gets better when they go out in the evenings as the clothes get shorter and tighter and more and more flesh is exposed.

Kenyan Women (age 30 - 45)

These women are getting settled in their careers and those who are not married are looking for life partners. Most women in Kenya get married between the ages of 25 and 35 years and so the average woman of this age you come across will have marriage in mind. As a result of this, most women make their plans around a family with a husband and later on with children. Kenyan girls falling into this category already have some of their friends married and they tend to look at their friends with awe at the same time wishing that they were also at that stage. That, however, is just the majority. There still exist many women aged 30-45 who are single and ready to mingle.

Most of these women are trying to establish their career paths. Some who have the time and money go back to further their studies beyond the undergraduate level. They spend their days at work and for evening and weekend classes in the many university campuses in the city. While not all of them are ready to engage in dating, there are still many who are available to meet and interact. You just need to have a more mature approach when hitting on them as they easily rebuff anyone they deem childish.

By this time, the women have fully developed bodies and are never afraid to flaunt their curves and edges. However, these women will be less adventurous than their younger counterparts in terms of dressing. They tend to don knee-length dresses and skirts and trousers suits. Their hair will be braided conservatively or simply blow-dried. In case of going out for a night of fun, casual clothes will be donned with simple shoes such as sneakers.

These women have good jobs and those in business have some level of stability and so have higher spending power. This means that they can buy expensive clothes and accessories and cosmetics.

Since most of the women here are financially independent, some of them move out and put up in their own houses. Some still cohabit with their friends as this is considered to be a temporary stage leading to marriage life. Those whose families live in towns and have conservative parents may continue staying with their parents because like the other examples above, girls usually have their future lives centered around getting married and settling in with their husbands.

Kenyan Ladies (age 45+)

Most women of such ages are usually married. This is mainly due to the traditional order of priorities that Nairobi girls are inculcated with. One is usually supposed to study, get a job, get married and settled down. Any girl who falls off this trajectory is usually considered abnormal and will be on the receiving end of many questions from family and friends on why she is single. Many suggestions will even be put to her to consider.

Every trend has its exceptions and this is no exception. There exist Kenyan women who are above 45 years of age and still single. These women, including the married ones, are good for a one-night stand. This is because, at this stage, most of them are not looking for partners in long-lasting relationships. They are simply looking for a good time with no strings attached.

While young girls fall into the hands of male sponsors, these women at times represent the female version of the sponsors. They will be ready to provide all the material needs of the young men in exchange for sexual satisfaction. Some of these women are wealthy enough to comfortably pay their bills and the bills of young men who meet their sexual desires.

Foreign Girls (tourists, expats, students, etc.)

Tourism is the second biggest foreign exchange earner in Kenya. Kenya hosts very many multinational organizations and corporations. These organizations also bring in many foreigners every year for work and exchange programs. Nairobi is one of the biggest cities in eastern and southern Africa. As a result of this prominence, many visitors from the neighboring countries come in every year seeking education, business, and employment opportunities.

Kenya has enjoyed relative peace as compared to its neighbors. Due to political and social upheaval in these countries, many people fled and came to Kenya. Many of these people settle in the country and become permanent residents albeit maintaining some identity from their countries. The above factors have seen Kenya play host to many foreigners. As a tourist seeking foreign girls, Kenya offers one of the biggest pools to choose from as these girls are in plenty.

Sex

It is relatively easy to have sex with Nairobi girls. You only need to know where and who to approach to have an opportunity. This, however, does not mean that Nairobi girls are always promiscuous and ready to drop their pants. This simply means that there is less conservativeness among Nairobi girls due to an influx of western cultures and a mixture of many other cultures which has led to a loss of the traditional values that characterized Kenyans before the modern times

Sex Culture

In the past, Kenya was a very conservative society. All this changed with the coming of modernity driven in a big way by penetration of media. What was hitherto a dreaded discussion came to the living room through television programs and later on music videos. This has greatly led to a shift in perception of sex and sex has become an increasingly casual affair with no attachment or commitment. The younger generations regard sex as a recreation activity that can be done anywhere with anyone. This has been compounded with the advancement in technology especially the internet which is now accessible on mobile phones.

One-Night Stands

One of the best places to pick a girl who is ready for a one-night stand is in the numerous night clubs within and just outside the city center. Starting on Thursday all through to Sunday, these clubs are usually packed with girls, most of them 19-25 years old who are out to enjoy a good time. At times all it takes to get to go home with a girl from a club are you buying her and her friends a few drinks of their choice and you will be on your way to a good time.

Best Places to Meet Single Girls

From the coast to the lake through the savannah grassland, the highlands and the Rift Valley, Kenya has many places of interest. Kenya is one of the most visited countries in Africa. The country attracts many foreigners who are attracted by the beauty that the country has to offer. One of the most attractive things about the country is its hospitable people who are friends with people from all over the world. As you walk around the country, you will be pleasantly surprised by the cool reception that you will be accorded as you walk around.

Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs

If you ask anyone what the people of Kenya are known for, you are sure to be told about their legendary affinity to the party. From the coast, all the way to the capital city, Nairobi onto the lakeside city of Kisumu, there are clubs everywhere. Most clubs in the country do not charge an entry fee, you only need to spend a set amount.

Klub House (K1): The different sections of the club feature four bars, each adorned in different decor to provide a range of setting from magnificent, modern to classic. Strategically located and within reach, K1 Klubhouse (Parklands Shade Hotel) is a plush, upscale nightspot located in the cool and serene suburbs of Westlands along Parklands - Ojijo road in Nairobi, about 5 km from the City Center and only 30 minutes to drive from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

  • Black Diamond: Black Diamond Bar & Grill is on Mpaka Road in Westlands and it is famed for great music, a balcony with spectacular views and affordable cocktails and beers. If you want to dance the night away, this is a place to be. Black diamond is indeed an ideal place to rave; good service, good ambiance, good music with local DJs. There is a cafe, a club and a restaurant. While in Nairobi let your night be fantastic by being here. There's ample and secure parking.
  • Tribeka: Tribeka was established at the tail-end of 2011 and has been the preferred all-night scene in the Nairobi CBD. The swanky VIP section, Beka Lounge, sitting 150-180 guests opened its doors in 2012 and is a popular choice for the urbane Nairobi professional hangout, private parties and corporate events. An iconic establishment with high standards of hospitality, good facilities, good music and clean surroundings, not forgetting their finger-licking dishes; it scores a distinction.
  • Brew Bistro: Brew Bistro is located on Piedmont Plaza along Ngong Road and it is one of the coolest nightlife spots in Nairobi. Brew Bistro is famed for its master brewers and premium brews as well as the exquisite restaurant that serves delicious local and international gourmet meals and bites. The atmosphere before nightfall is mostly laid back and the touches of coral and lavender on the decor add to the relaxing mood. The outdoor terrace and lounge are great places to hang out and you may want to book a table on busy nights if you are going in a group. There's usually a DJ or a cool band performing depending on the night so the music is great, and you are sure to have a fun-filled evening.
  • B Club: This club is sometimes referred to as the Billionaire's Club due to its exclusive nature and the fact that it is popular with the wealthy business leaders and the political class of the country. The club is located in the upmarket Kilimani area.
  • Mercury Lounge: Mercury Lounge is located off Waiyaki way at ABC place. It is quite the upmarket club if the sophisticated crowd and beer prices are anything to go by, but it makes for a great night out. It is not unusual to find expatriates here and there are enough local and exotic brands to meet the different preferences and tastes. The atmosphere is generally mellow and the music is great.
  • Z Lounge: This is one of the new baby’s in town in the string of lounges that have cropped up in Mombasa. A favorite of people from the Asian community and located on the rooftop. It has both an open-air area and a closed VIP area. Inside the VIP area, the bar is well stocked with a variety of drinks that will leave you spoiled for choice.
  • Azura: Located before the Nyali Bridge, Azura caters for all party goers’ needs. Right at the entrance, you will find the dance floor with its bar – for those who like to dance the night away. Further in is the pool area which also has seats for those who would like to relax in an open area with the deejay music not being too loud. The bar/lounge area that overlooks the Indian Ocean and also has a glimpse of the Nyali Bridge.
  • Pirates Beach Bar: If you are looking for a cool, relaxing beach vibe with great music and even better drinks, then Pirates Beach Bar is your best bet. The establishment has two fully stocked bars with a wide dancing area for party lovers. Order from a strictly Islamic menu during the day from the restaurant. There is also a children’s zone complete with a swimming pool to keep the kids busy.
  • Social Center: If you want to enjoy the best party-life in western Kenya, this is the place to be. Tucked behind the main matatu stage in Kisumu City, this club is big on Ohangla (Luo traditional music) with the odd Kiswahili hip-hop tune thrown in for good measure.
  • 64 Resort: It is located along the Eldoret - Kapsabet road on the outskirts of Eldoret town. The uniqueness of this club is space. They offer enough parking space, fine dining, cool and affordable drinks and a conducive atmosphere to spice up your party life. The security, reception of either VIP or regular people is out of this world in 64 Resort.
  • Platinum 7D Lounge: Platinum 7D Lounge is a fresh and new partying point in Nakuru. Open throughout the weekend, this club is a small corner of paradise in Nakuru. While there, you will enjoy alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails from different parts of the globe. Besides, you will be entertainment by world-class DJs. The law in Kenya prohibits clubs and bar operating before 2 pm and 5 pm on weekends and weekdays respectively. Additionally, do not drink and drive as the law is very harsh on drunk-driving with very heavy fines imposed or jail terms or both.

Shopping Malls

Kenya has seen a great surge in the real estate industry over the last three decades. One of the areas that have seen tremendous growth is in the establishment of malls. Nearly every city and town in the country boasts of numerous malls.

Some of the best malls in Kenya include:

  • Two River Mall, Nairobi
  • Garden City Mall, Nairobi
  • City Mall, Mombasa
  • Swan Centre, Kisumu
  • Zion Mall, Eldoret
  • Westside Mall, Nakuru
  • Cedar Mall, Nanyuki
  • Mega Mall, Kakamega
  • Nyali Centre, Mombasa
  • Sarit Centre, Nairobi
  • Mega City Mall, Kisumu
  • Rupa’s Mall, Eldoret
  • Juja City Mall, Juja
  • Nyeri Mall, Nyeri

Outdoors

There is so much to do in Kenya in terms of outdoor activities. Nairobi is one of the very few cities in the world that has many natural attractions within its limits. Nairobi presents one of the most outstanding extremes in terms of moving from town to bush in a matter of minutes. Nairobi is the only capital city in the world that boasts of a national wildlife park within its borders. The Nairobi National Park is located 28 kilometers from the city center and it offers the visitor with an opportunity to seen the famous Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard). The park has additional attractions such as the David Shedrick elephant orphanage and the Nairobi Safari Walk. Outside of Nairobi, you can enjoy Game drives in Masai Mara, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Tsavo National Park and Samburu National Park amongst others.

There are many spectacular coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. Manda Toto, Watamu, Kiunga Marine National Reserve and various spots in the Lamu archipelago give you a surreal glimpse into the exquisite underwater wildlife of the East African coast. You can see the octopus, parrotfish, Moorish idol and other interesting hidden gems.

Nyama Choma is Kenyan delicacy which is Swahili for roast meat. Nyama Choma, usually grilled on a charcoal stove, oven or grill depending on the eatery is served in chunks and shared with friends and family. It makes for a delicious meal and is often accompanied by Kachumbari (onions and tomatoes mixture) or greens and Ugali (cornmeal) or French fries. Carnivore in Lang’ata, Nairobi is one of the bigger restaurants that are popular for Nyama Choma but you can enjoy it in places like Kikopey on the way to Nakuru or Mawe Mbili on the Eastern Bypass, or practically any eatery selling roast meat.

Paintball is a game that simulates combat and players are armed and in teams with the goal being to complete a specific mission without being shot at. The bullets in the guns are balls of paint in the shape of a marble but they are dispelled with the speed of an ordinary gun so they can injure at close range. Protective gear is provided on purchase of the bullets sold in batches of 100 at a cost of Ksh 1000 at Paintball Fury Limited in Karen. Rolf’s place in the Rongai area also offers Paintball. The game is a lot of fun and should be on your list of group activities in Nairobi.

Paintball is a game that simulates combat and players are armed and in teams with the goal being to complete a specific mission without being shot at. The bullets in the guns are balls of paint in the shape of a marble but they are dispelled with the speed of an ordinary gun so they can injure at close range. Protective gear is provided on purchase of the bullets sold in batches of 100 at a cost of Ksh 1000 at Paintball Fury Limited in Karen. Rolf’s place in the Rongai area also offers Paintball. The game is a lot of fun and should be on your list of group activities in Nairobi.

There are plenty of lakes in Kenya as well as miles of the Indian Ocean Coast where you can take boat rides. You will spot hippos on Lake Naivasha and flamingos on Lake Nakuru while Lake Victoria in Kisumu will give you the experience of touring the largest tropical lake in the world as well as Africa’s largest lake by area. Glass Boats on the Indian Ocean will allow you to see numerous different types of fish and even feed them.

Mount Ololokwe in wild Samburu County is a holy mountain for local tribes in northern Kenya and far off the typical tourist path. The mountain is a few hours north of the town Nanyuki along the main highway to Ethiopia and reachable by a shared van or car. The hike is quite steep and gets tough at times due to the heat and the elevation, but it's worth it. The views from the top are incredible!

A favorite rafting spot in Kenya is the Tana River, with boasts powerful rapids and spectacular white water. The river provides whitewater rafting lovers with Class II to Class V rapids, as well as stretches of calm drifts where you can catch your breath and check out the incredible scenery and views. You will also see crocodiles and hippos, among other animals, as you drift along.

Maasai Ostrich Resort in Kitengela on the outskirts of Nairobi is one place where you get to ride an ostrich as well as eat fried or Char- grilled ostrich meat which is said to be a low cholesterol delicacy. There are ostrich burgers as well so do not be afraid to go all out. The resort has a swimming pool and tennis court and offers accommodation facilities as well.

Reptile viewing is quite popular, considering that a couple of establishments exclusively keep a variety of snakes, crocodiles, lizards, turtles and fish. Mamba village in Mombasa and Nairobi for crocodiles and snakes, Haller park in Mombasa for crocodiles (go in time for feeding) and Nairobi Snake Park are some cool spots

Universities and Colleges

Some of the universities and colleges found in the country include:

  • University of Nairobi
  • Moi University, Eldoret
  • Egerton University, Nakuru
  • Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja
  • Masinde Muliro University of Agriculture and Technology, Kakamega
  • United States International University, Nairobi
  • Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Nyeri
  • Daystar University, Nairobi
  • Alphax College, Eldoret
  • Kisumu National Polytechnic, Kisumu
  • Kitale Technical Training Institute, Kitale
  • Mt. Kenya University, Thika
  • Kenya Wildlife Training Institute, Naivasha
  • Technical University of Mombasa

Relationship

Kenya is one of the best countries for people to get into relationships. Kenyans are easy to get along with and their girls do not take a lot of effort to hook up with for a relationship. Like any other place, Zambia relationships are interesting as the girls like to be pampered with many things. Once a local girl likes you, she will almost immediately inform her family about you and soon you will be meeting her entire clan even before things are made formal. This is her way of showing you acceptance.

While the public display of affection is not common and many still feel uncomfortable with it, a girl who has fallen for you will go all out to show it to you even if it means breaking the social norms. The girl will not be shy to hold hands with you in public or even introduce you to her friends.

The pace of change in relationships is relentless, and full employment is increasingly uncertain. So, young people want to — and can — stand on their own two feet before they marry. They want to choose their partners for themselves. And if things don’t work out, to be able to divorce easily. Millennials are marrying very differently from their parents. They’re marrying much later because they want to be financially independent first. And they’re much more careful about choosing a partner because they’ve seen so many relationships fail. Millennials do less formal dating, instead preferring more casual relationships. They’re much more likely to be sexually inactive than previous generations.

Holiday Romance

Whether it is during the festive season or other traditional holiday periods or we want to create our own holiday moments, we all look forward to taking time away from our usual routine. World-systems create a tedious repetitive cycle that guides our adult life. Once someone gets a job, their life becomes a routine of moving from home to work every weekday morning and getting back home every evening. The weekends are used to do any pending house chores and for some, do side hustle. This trend becomes stricter once children come along.

We all look forward to getting away for the holidays. Holidays come with the added benefit because they offer the chance for one to hook up with beautiful girls. Spending the holidays in Kenya is the perfect opportunity for you to hook up with local Kenyan girls or even foreign girls who are also on holiday. While many people get into holiday romance planning to hook up just for the duration of the holiday, some of these hookups blossom into long-term dates which in turn may result in marriage. The various interesting places mentioned above will give you enough distractions and spice up your holiday romance.

Tips for Successful Relationship

By nature, human beings are social and we all long to find someone with whom we can enjoy our lives whether it is for a short time or even marriage. Good relationships require that the two of you go out of your way and offer support and love for each other at all times. There are many ways through which the two of you can work to make your relationship successful.

We all come from different backgrounds. There will be someone who will be richer than you, stronger than you or even more educated than you. On the flipside, there will be someone who will be poorer than you, weaker than you or less educated than you. It is therefore important that we learn to accept others as they are. You will not always fall in love with someone who matches all your preferences, this should not cause your relationship to end but you should embrace each other and what you perceive as their shortcomings.

Closely related to accepting others, you should be open about your life to your partner at all times even when it is hard. You will not always be financially stable and able to take your girl to the fancy restaurant that you always do or buy her that expensive gift that you had promised. If you are unable to fulfill any of what you are expected to do, you should be candid enough to admit that you are unable.

As you continue to date your girlfriend, you need to be observant enough to understand her. It will help you to know what makes her happy or sad, what she likes or dislikes. This will help you to avoid future conflict as you will know what you can and cannot do whenever you are with her. What may seem to be trivial to you may be serious to her such as a word you speak or a little habit that you may be having. Knowing this will ensure that you remain in her good books.

One way of having a successful relationship is by understanding that there will be times when you will have to sacrifice whatever makes you comfortable for the good of the relationship. While each of you must have your defining principles and traits, a time will come when you will need to let go. However, this should not be misunderstood to mean that you must always compromise but rather it is within your informed discretion to know when to say yes and when to say no.

A successful relationship is characterized by mutual respect. Whereas the position and roles of the man and woman in a relationship may vary from one culture to another, the two people must show respect and understanding to each other. This respect should not be dependent on the status and circumstances in which one is going through. Whether one is jobless or rich, the couple ought to maintain their feelings and love for each other.

Patience and self-control are important if the two people will be able to remain together. There will be times when the two parties will feel aggravated with each other. Whether this may seem deliberate or not, you will need to take a step back and handle issues without emotions or bitterness as this will only worsen things. If you feel too angry, you are better off walking away and getting back to resolve matters when your temper is better.

Love

Dating customs in Kenya have greatly changed in recent decades with the advent of technology. Since young people now do a lot of their socializing via social media and text messages, parents and clan leaders have less influence than they did in previous generations. There is a difference in dating practices between those in urban areas and those in rural areas. In the urban parts of Kenya, dating usually begins at around the age of 18. Couples usually go on dates to restaurants or the cinema. In rural areas, dating may occur at a later age and options for activities are more limited, so people usually socialize at home or while running errands.

People usually marry in their mid to late twenties after they have completed their education or have financially secured themselves. It is typical for people to choose their marriage partners as well as to marry within their ethnic group. However, Kenyans avoid marrying within their clan as members of the same clan are viewed as relatives. In some cases, marriages are arranged by families, particularly among Muslim families. Polygamy was once a common practice, but it is becoming less common today. Few men can financially support multiple wives and many children.

The dowry system, whereby payment of some form is made to the bride's family by the groom's family, is still common throughout Kenya. In rural areas, the 'bride-price' is usually livestock while in urban areas it is typically money and is paid in installments. Divorce is somewhat common in Kenya. While there is some stigma associated with divorce, most people remarry after a separation.

How to Make Sure She Is the One

We live in a fast-moving world where many things demand our attention. We move from our work to school to family and on to many other things. It is always a challenge to have time for the fine things in life as we struggle to make a living. Amid all these activities, the one who is interested in you will create time to be with you.

An indication of the one who is into you is to observe how she acts when you are with another woman. Women are territorial and so when she sees you with someone whom she considers to be even a distant competitor for your attention, she will have a spiteful look on her. While she may try to act cool so as not to betray her feeling, be on the lookout for the body language of uneasiness.

Any woman who has plans of having a future with you will want to know about your goals and ambitions in life. Women always plan with the future in mind and she will want to be sure that she commits to someone with aspirations for a stable future.

There will be times in life when you will need a shoulder to lean on. Most of the time, calamities or bad situations befall us unexpectedly. At other times, our own mistakes and actions may get us into trouble. No matter how you find yourself in a bad place, a good woman will show when you need someone and ask the questions later. She only wants the best for you.

Before she makes any major decision, the woman for you will always seek your counsel. Sometimes, the decisions may be as trivial as what way to make her hair of what dress to put on for an event. Other times, it may be as significant as a career change. If she consults you in this, she considers you an important part of her life and that is something you may want to consider.

A good woman will seek to know more about you from the moment you hook up. She will want to know not just about the seemingly important things such as your career or your age, she will want to know which soccer team you support, your favorite color or even your nicknames. This information will help her to understand you better and also to know how to plug into your life.

Marriage

Marriage in the traditional Kenyan context is defined as a rite of passage that every individual is expected to undergo in his or her lifetime, and the integral purpose of this institution is to widen the kinship network of the individual through procreation.

The legal minimum age in Kenya is 18 years. However, most girls opt to complete their education to the tertiary level before they are ready for marriage. It is recommended that if one intends to get married in any part of Kenya other than Nairobi that they visit the Registrar of Marriages office in Nairobi for proper guidance.

The Registrar of Marriages offices is also available in major towns in Kenya under the office of the Attorney General.

Same-sex marriages are not permitted in the country.

One needs to get married to obtain a marriage certificate in Kenya. There are three legal ways to get married in Kenya; a traditional customary union, a religious wedding or a civil wedding. The first step to obtaining a marriage certificate in Kenya is filing a Notice of Marriage with the Office of the Registrar General and waiting for up to 21 days. A fee of 600 Kenya Shillings is charged for filing the notice.

After the twenty-one days lapse with no objection, the couple completes an affidavit as directed by the Registrar of Marriages who also commissions the affidavit and completes a Marriage Certificate form. The payment for this service is Kshs. 2,700; the fee caters for the marriage solemnization ceremony. At this point, a marriage date is booked.

Where couples get married in a church, notice is given both in church and in the Office of the Registrar of Marriages. After the Notice period of 21 days, a Registrar's Certificate is issued by the Office of the Registrar of Marriages and taken to the Church Minister who shall officiate the ceremony. The notice is given at a fee of Ksh.200 and the Registrar's Certificate at Ksh.300.

The following documents are required:

  • Birth certificate
  • Copies of passport pages showing your photo, names, date of issue
  • A letter stating your full names, addresses & occupations and also providing the same information for your parents.
  • A search of Marriage Records to Prove Freedom to marry for foreigners
  • A certificate of no impediment sworn before a lawyer confirming you are single and free to marry.
  • Two passport-style photographs each

Wedding

Christian, Islamic, Traditional African and Hindu wedding ceremonies are all possible and recognized under Kenyan law. The Kenyan Registrar holds records of Christian ceremonies and Marriage Certificates are issued for those and Hindu and Islamic ceremonies. Affidavits are issued for traditional African wedding ceremonies.

It is important to note that many Kenyan churches use the African Christian Marriage & Divorce Act which is not suitable for non-Africans who can only get married under the Marriage Act, so ensure that you check this with your chosen church when you contact them for all their relevant terms, conditions and paperwork.

Couples wanting an Islamic, Hindu or African ceremony should contact the Registrar of Marriages in the first instance to get further information on the terms and conditions.

After that, the wedding will be held at the chosen venue. Most Christian weddings are held in churches officiated by a licensed clergy. A reception held thereafter also at a place of the couple’s choosing. Most couples thereafter proceed for a honeymoon for one to two weeks away from their friends, family, and normal lives.

Family Life

In Kenya, the family is the most important priority for an individual and is a great source of pride. Most Kenyans expect to eventually marry and raise a family. The family unit in Kenya usually includes an extended family. People will frequently interact with their aunts, uncles and cousins. In some ethnic groups, children will refer to their maternal aunts as 'younger mother' or 'older mother', depending on the aunt's age in relation to the child's mother's age.

Kenya has an extremely young population, with nearly half of the population (40%) aged between 0 and 14, while only 6.9% of the population is aged 55 or over. Raising children is typically a communal duty; the responsibility is shared among aunts, uncles, grandparents and other members of the community or village. In urban areas, the size of the family is much smaller with nuclear families becoming more common. All children are expected to honor their parents by fulfilling obligations such as providing financial support or caring for them in their old age. Indeed, the elderly are greatly respected in Kenyan society.

Extended families are considered a single unit; children are often equally close to cousins and siblings, and aunts and uncles are thought of as fathers and mothers. These large family groups often live together in small settlements. Among the Maasai, for example, ten or twelve huts are built in a circle surrounded by a thornbush fence. This is known as a boma.

Child-rearing is communal: responsibility for the children is shared among aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other members of the community. Boys and girls have fairly separate upbringings. Each is taught the duties and obligations specific to their sex: girls learn early how to carry water, cook, and care for children, while boys are schooled in the ways of herding or working in the fields.

Regions

Map of Kenya
Northern Rift Valley
Southern Rift Valley
Coastal Kenya
Eastern Kenya
Western Kenya

Cities

  • Nairobi — the capital city and economic centre of Kenya
  • Garissa — a predominantly Muslim town in the east close to Somalia
  • Kabarnet — gateway town for Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria
  • Kisumu — the major town of the west, on the shore of Lake Victoria
  • Lamu — main town of the Lamu Archipelego
  • Lodwar — in the north on the main route to South Sudan with access to Lake Turkana
  • Malindi — the landing point of Vasco Da Gama in Kenya
  • Meru — city near the base of Mount Kenya. It is the cross roads for travel to Nairobi
  • Mombasa — historic port on the Indian Ocean seafront and probably Africa's longest continuously settled town
  • Nakuru — lake Nakuru National Park and an extinct volcano (Menengai)
  • Voi — a growing town and a major gateway to Tsavo East National Park. The residents (majority are the beautiful and friendly Taita tribe)are well educated and know the area well. Found along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway

See Also