Kenya Info
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 15
Home Country: kenya
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 Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:25 am Post subject: SHOPPING IN KENYA / KENYA SHOPPING GUIDE |
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SHOPPING IN KENYA
Khanga, kitenge and kikoi cloths may be bought in markets and the Bishara Streets of Nairobi, Mombasa and the Masai market held in Nairobi city centre on Tuesdays. There is a particularly good cooperative shop in Machakos which sells kiondos, bags stained with natural dyes and with strong leather straps. Makonde woodcarvings are sold throughout the country, and young Kamba and Masai men sell carvings and necklaces on the beaches of the south coast.
Shopping hours
Mon-Sat 0830-1230 and 1400-1730.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1500; 0900-1100 on the first and last Saturday of each month. National and international banks have branches in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Thika, Eldoret, Kericho, Nyeri and in most other major towns. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier. Many of the banks and bureaux de change at the international airports open 24 hours every day.
Note: The sale of souvenirs made of wildlife skins (this includes reptiles) and shells is forbidden.
Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KES1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of KES20, 10 and 5.
Currency exchange
Currency can be exchanged at the major banks, bureaux de change or authorised hotels. The bank at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport have 24 hour exchange services. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros. There are over 140 ATMs.
Credit & debit cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted. Major hotels now also accept payment by credit card, as do major safari companies, travel agencies and restaurants. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Traveller's cheques
These can be changed at banks, and are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions
There is no restriction on the import and export of local or foreign currency. However, authorization from the Central Bank is required for amounts of 500,000 KES and above. |
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