Kenya lies to the east of the African continent with its coast on the Indian Ocean. The country straddles two of the most famous lakes in Africa: Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria. At its heart is Mount Kenya from which the country takes its name.
Kenya Today
The Kenyan population is heterogeneous, comprising seven major ethnic groups as well as tens of smaller ones and non-Kenyan communities. There is a religious mix with a Christian majority and Muslim and indigenous religious minorities. Formerly a British colony, Kenya achieved independence in 1963. Understanding the various cultural norms and ethnic and religious groups is essential when doing business in Kenya.
Kenyan Culture - Key Concepts and Values
Group-Relations – Kenyans have strong affiliations to their ethnic group or tribe and sometimes place them in front of the ‘nation’. The family is at the heart of Kenyan life and is given priority over everything else. Several generations will live together in one house with all family members taking care of one another. Absenteeism from work or delays in performing tasks due to family obligations is frequently experienced in Kenya and is viewed as perfectly acceptable.
Religion – The majority of the population is Christian (Protestant and Catholic) but there is also a substantial Muslim (Sunni) minority. Animism and ancestor worship also remain widespread. Both Christians and Muslims have managed to incorporate traditional practices into their respective religions creating unique blends to suit their particular needs.
Time – In general, Kenyans have a more relaxed approach towards time and live at a slower pace. It is not unusual to wait half an hour for someone to arrive for an appointment and this is seen as perfectly acceptable. Taking care of personal affairs first is regarded as more important than arriving on time. This said, today particularly in the private sector there is a growing trend of punctuality and observing deadlines.
Doing Business in Kenya
Kenya is one of Africa’s more affluent nations and is seen as a business hub for East Africa. The country’s economy has been hampered though by corruption and a reliance on certain goods whose prices have failed to rise sufficiently. Kenya has also been affected by the global economic downturn and in 2008 saw a 7% drop in its GDP growth from the previous year. Despite this, tourism, manufacturing and investment have predominated in the Kenyan economy over the last four decades giving Kenya a prized position within Africa. Oil has recently been discovered in Kenya which provides great opportunities for future developments. Understanding how Kenya’s economy and politics impact its business culture will help you when doing business in Kenya.
Part 1 – Working in Kenya: Working practices in Kenya
Structure and hierarchy in Kenyan companies
Working relationships in Kenya
Part 2 – Doing Business in Kenya: Business practices in Kenya
Kenyan business etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO shake hands with your colleague or guest before starting a discussion or meeting.
DO look people in the eyes when conversing. It shows interest in the subject and creates an atmosphere of trust.
DO invite your Kenyan colleagues to dinner. This can be a good way to network and forge links.
DON’T raise your voice unnecessarily as this can be perceived as rude.
DON’T confront a colleague directly about a problem. Kenyans prefer to go through an intermediary peer to address any problems.
DON’T show too much emotion when in a public environment. Demonstrations of emotion can be seen as a sign of weakness in Kenya.
Kenya Culture Quiz - True or False
1. Arriving half an hour late to a meeting might be viewed as extremely rude.
2. If you have a problem with a colleague, you should confront them directlty about it.
3. Women should keep their shoulders covered and refrain from wearing revealing clothing.
4. Rigid sticking to a schedule is of the utmost importance.
5. Inviting your Kenyan colleagues out to dinner or drinks is a good way to network.
Kenya Culture Quiz - Answers
1. False. Kenyans will put familial repsonsabilities before arriving on time to a meeting.
2. False. Attempt to get a fellow colleague to mediate between you and the colleague in question.
3. True. Women must dress in a modest manner and not reveal too much of their bodies.
4. False. Kenyans view getting a task done properly more important than sticking to the clock.
5. True. Unofficial meetings outside of the office are a good way to network and forge lasting ties.
Kenya Today
The Kenyan population is heterogeneous, comprising seven major ethnic groups as well as tens of smaller ones and non-Kenyan communities. There is a religious mix with a Christian majority and Muslim and indigenous religious minorities. Formerly a British colony, Kenya achieved independence in 1963. Understanding the various cultural norms and ethnic and religious groups is essential when doing business in Kenya.
Kenyan Culture - Key Concepts and Values
Group-Relations – Kenyans have strong affiliations to their ethnic group or tribe and sometimes place them in front of the ‘nation’. The family is at the heart of Kenyan life and is given priority over everything else. Several generations will live together in one house with all family members taking care of one another. Absenteeism from work or delays in performing tasks due to family obligations is frequently experienced in Kenya and is viewed as perfectly acceptable.
Religion – The majority of the population is Christian (Protestant and Catholic) but there is also a substantial Muslim (Sunni) minority. Animism and ancestor worship also remain widespread. Both Christians and Muslims have managed to incorporate traditional practices into their respective religions creating unique blends to suit their particular needs.
Time – In general, Kenyans have a more relaxed approach towards time and live at a slower pace. It is not unusual to wait half an hour for someone to arrive for an appointment and this is seen as perfectly acceptable. Taking care of personal affairs first is regarded as more important than arriving on time. This said, today particularly in the private sector there is a growing trend of punctuality and observing deadlines.
Doing Business in Kenya
Kenya is one of Africa’s more affluent nations and is seen as a business hub for East Africa. The country’s economy has been hampered though by corruption and a reliance on certain goods whose prices have failed to rise sufficiently. Kenya has also been affected by the global economic downturn and in 2008 saw a 7% drop in its GDP growth from the previous year. Despite this, tourism, manufacturing and investment have predominated in the Kenyan economy over the last four decades giving Kenya a prized position within Africa. Oil has recently been discovered in Kenya which provides great opportunities for future developments. Understanding how Kenya’s economy and politics impact its business culture will help you when doing business in Kenya.
Part 1 – Working in Kenya: Working practices in Kenya
Structure and hierarchy in Kenyan companies
Working relationships in Kenya
Part 2 – Doing Business in Kenya: Business practices in Kenya
Kenyan business etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO shake hands with your colleague or guest before starting a discussion or meeting.
DO look people in the eyes when conversing. It shows interest in the subject and creates an atmosphere of trust.
DO invite your Kenyan colleagues to dinner. This can be a good way to network and forge links.
DON’T raise your voice unnecessarily as this can be perceived as rude.
DON’T confront a colleague directly about a problem. Kenyans prefer to go through an intermediary peer to address any problems.
DON’T show too much emotion when in a public environment. Demonstrations of emotion can be seen as a sign of weakness in Kenya.
Kenya Culture Quiz - True or False
1. Arriving half an hour late to a meeting might be viewed as extremely rude.
2. If you have a problem with a colleague, you should confront them directlty about it.
3. Women should keep their shoulders covered and refrain from wearing revealing clothing.
4. Rigid sticking to a schedule is of the utmost importance.
5. Inviting your Kenyan colleagues out to dinner or drinks is a good way to network.
Kenya Culture Quiz - Answers
1. False. Kenyans will put familial repsonsabilities before arriving on time to a meeting.
2. False. Attempt to get a fellow colleague to mediate between you and the colleague in question.
3. True. Women must dress in a modest manner and not reveal too much of their bodies.
4. False. Kenyans view getting a task done properly more important than sticking to the clock.
5. True. Unofficial meetings outside of the office are a good way to network and forge lasting ties.
