Kenyađź•Ł
Country in East Africa. Official name – the Republic of Kenya. Population – 55.9 million (as of 2020). Capital – Nairobi. Official languages - English and Swahili. Kenya is a unitary presidential republic. Main religion - Christianity.
Kenya
Greeting
The traditional greeting is a handshake, and how long it lasts usually depends on how well the people know each other. At the same time, asking questions about health, family, and so on is common. In general, the greeting is not rushed.
At the start of a meeting, it’s important to shake hands with everyone present—skipping someone is considered rude. So if there are 10 people in the room, as a guest, you’re expected to shake hands and say hello to each one.
Handshakes are exchanged both among men and among women. However, between genders, this does not always happen. A man should wait for a woman to initiate the handshake before extending his hand to greet her.
When greeting someone older, it’s important to show as much respect as possible. Direct (especially prolonged) eye contact should be avoided—it’s better to look down. As a sign of respect, people sometimes place their left hand on the right wrist of the person they’re shaking hands with.
Men who’ve known each other for a long time might give each other a quick hug. Women usually greet each other with a handshake, too, but if they’re close friends, they might exchange light kisses on the cheek.
Introduction
All possible titles and honors that distinguish a person are taken seriously in Kenyan business culture, especially those that reflect one’s status within an organization or society. Hierarchy is respected in Kenya.
In formal, official, or business settings, always use your counterpart’s professional title, academic degree, or rank—if applicable—when ...
Exchange of Business Cards
Business cards are important. They are typically exchanged either at the beginning or end of a first meeting—there’s no strict rule about the exact timing.
A business card usually includes the holder’s professional qualifications, job title, and academic degrees. Standard contact details such as phone numbers, website, and email address are also inclu...
Small Talk: Overview
When taking the first steps toward a joint project, Kenyans make an effort to get to know their potential partner better, as building relationships is at the heart of any business. Choose positive or neutral topics.
Observe how people communicate and how conversations are structured. Later, as you gain more experience, you’ll be able to manage the communication process ...
Preferred Topics
Economy and Politics. In Kenya, people enjoy discussing various economic and political topics important to the country, such as those related to its future growth opportunities. It is advisable to support such conversations by first familiarizing yourself with the latest local news.
Family. Kenyans speak quite openly about their families, especially whe...
Taboo Topics
It’s best not to bring up ethnic group issues, even if you already know your Kenyan colleague or friend.
Asking about someone’s ethnic background can be a sensitive topic and may not be well received, especially in Nairobi, where there are many mixed marriages.
Corruption is another subject to steer clear of, since people can ha...
Personal Space
Kenyans are generally comfortable standing closer during conversations than people in places like Northern Europe or North America. Stepping back to create more distance might come across as unfriendly.
Physical contact is usually minimal and mostly happens between people who know each other well. A light pat on the shoulder or back is ...
Communication Specifics
For Kenyans, communication isn’t just about the words themselves. They often assume that some things go unspoken because they’re understood from the context or are part of the shared cultural background.
Sometimes, nonverbal cues carry more meaning than the actual spoken words. If something seems unclear or ambiguous, it’s a good idea f...
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