Expect to bargain as everything is marked up for tourists. For serious bargains go to the City Market in Nairobi. Biashara Street in Nairobi is good for fabric shops. Karen has a selection unique items from all over Kenya.
There are big malls are at Westlands "The Sarit Centre"; the "Village Market" near the UN complex and "Yaya Centre" in Hurlingham. A recent addition to Nairobi shopping is the "The Junction" which features designer boutiques and found on Ngong Road. The main city market is on Koinage Street.
Kenyan products include traditional artefacts, jewelry, coffee, cloth and art. Baskets are always popular and they vary in design throughout Kenya. The carvings you see use different styles around Kenya. Lamu is famous for furniture carving. Wood carvings of animals are found in Wakamba in the Eastern part of the country. The dark ebony carvings called Makonde were traditionally coastal products but now produced in many locations. The stone carvings are from Western Kenya. Well known is the beaded jewellery produced by the Maasai. Drums are also a popular buy.
Book Shops
Looking for Kenya guide books and Kenya souvenir books then try Book Villa on Standard Street; Text Book Centre in the Sarit Mall in Westlands or Bookstop on the top floor of the Yaya Centre in Hurlingham. Magazines are found everywhere and you can support street vendors by buying the Economist direct form vendors on the street. House of Treasures
Collections from Bali, Sri Lanka, India at 70 Dagoretti Road, Karen (020 8883224).
Kazuri Beads and Pottery
Beads and pottery made and designed by local women as an employment creating project. Retail outlets are in the Village Market and in Viking house in Westlands. The factory and shop is in Karen.
Kitengela Hot Glass Limited
Studio is on the Magadi Road at Kitengela uses recycled glass to produce a full rang e of glass ware (045 24181)
Kerongerlou Workshops
Candles and rustic furniture displayed a 10 Langata South Road (020 891331)
Maasai Markets
The Maasai Market is held every Tuesday near the roundabout on Murang'a Road and Kijabe Street in Nairobi. On Fridays the Maasai market is held at at the Village Market shopping mall and on Sundays at the Safari Park Hotel on the Thika Road. Prices are good of you bargain hard and the selection of jewellery, baskets,carving and other artefacts is excellent.
Matbronze Wildlife Art
Bronze sculptures made using the "lost wax" process. The foundry and gallery is on Langata South Road (020 891251)
Nairobi City Market
The City Market is at Muindi Mbingu Street has drums, carvings, jewellery. Do bargain hard and expect a crowded area and watch your pockets.
Nairobi Post Office
The main post office is in Kenyatta Avenue close to Uhuru Park. Sandstorm Africa
Leather and canvas bags made by local craftsmen using camel and calf hide with a strong Kenyan style located at Lenana Forest Centre on the Ngong Road (020 567568).
The African Art Shoppe
Located in the Nairobi Hilton Arcade and collection of carvings,antiques, fabrics, furniture,paintings and more. (020 222074) Triangle Curios Market, Nairobi
A group of stalls in Westlands with a good range of artefacts where good bargains can be found.
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