Shopping in Kenya

Some of Kenya's more creative artists, photographers, leatherworkers and other high-quality artisans and artists have come together under one roof – the result is one of Kenya's most discerning shopping...

Utamaduni is a large crafts emporium and easily one of the best places to souvenir shop in Nairobi, with more than a dozen shops selling all kinds of excellent African artworks and souvenirs. Prices start...

More than 600 wildlife bronzes by Denis Mathews (from jewellery and small lion-cub-footprint dishes to much larger pieces running into thousands of dollars) make this one of the most appealing places to shop in...

One of the city’s main souvenir businesses is concentrated in this covered market, which has dozens of stalls selling woodcarvings, drums, spears, shields, soapstone, Maasai jewellery and clothing. It’s a hectic...

This place collaborates with workshops and self-help groups around the country. It’s a bit like a handicrafts version of IKEA, with goods displayed the way they might look in a living room. There are some...

Amid the rather-less-altruistic commercialism of the Sarit Centre, Banana Box works in conjunction with community projects and refugee groups and offers modern uses for traditional objects. It’s one of the better...

On Fridays the popular Maasai craft market opens up here in the upper car park of Village Market.

Busy, popular Maasai markets move around the city according to the day of the week and are excellent shopping experiences. Sites change regularly. At the time of research, markets were held every Tuesday at the...

This cooperative employs an incredible 10,000 people from the local area. It’s also a non-profit organisation that produces fine woodcarvings, from animal shapes and polished calabash bowls to stick-thin Maasai...

Right next to the Wild Living Cafe on the southern outskirts of Kilifi, this excellent shop showcases the wares of four local, ecofriendly Fair Trade designers and cooperatives: leather bags, purses, clutches and...

This non-profit organisation produces crafts of a high standard and gives vocational training to physically disabled people. Visit the workshops and showroom to buy jewellery, leatherwork, sisal bags, carvings...

This upmarket gallery is the place to come if you're a serious Africana collector. There are pieces from all over the continent and beyond, from affordable Kenyan belts with Maasai bead embroidery to ceremonial...

Started in 1977 and now providing employment to 107 women, this craft cooperative specialises in high-quality woven woollen goods. The women will show you the process of spinning, cleaning and dyeing the wool...

We really wish it were our shop, stocked as it is with cowrie-studded Congolese and West African carvings and masks to tempt collectors. Some great affordable and unusual fashion accessories, too, in the shape of...

Stock up on baobab oil, moringa powder, charcoal briquettes for the barbecue and – why not? – hats made from soft Ugandan bark at this innovative eco-shop that's been incorporated into the namesake cafe on the...

A real treasure trove of carvings and masks, particularly from West Africa and the Congo, as well as fetishes, brass lanterns and other goodies. Some amazing Kenyan items as well, including two-faced ceremonial...

Apart from a small and largely unimaginative collection of curios, Kenya's museum shop has one of the country's best selections of books about Kenya and surrounding places. You can enter without paying the museum...

This is the place to come for locally produced foods, from home-made jams and Longonot honey to delights such as chilli chocolate cashew butter. Although it's aimed mostly at expats with room in their larder,...

This home-run design store of international reputation is located near the southern edge of Kilifi Creek. You'll find stylish leather bags adorned with Maasai-style beading (from KSh9000), clutches and purses...

You'll be welcomed by Obadiah and other male potters at this simple, friendly workshop. Watch the spinning kiln and browse the small store, where there's a range of lamps, bowls, cups and mosaic coasters for...