So by now, most of you know that I’ve often travel to Kenya. I love Kenya and its people, and it’s now like my second home. What most of you may not know, especially if you have not stepped foot there, is the huge cultural difference. Which is what I’m going to take you through in this post, in my own words.
And for anyone who may not know, Kenya is a beautiful country in East Africa, the only country with a national park in its capital city, home to the 8th wonder of the world: the wildebeest migration, home to the world’s best athletes like Eliud Kipchoge, who in 2019 made history by being the first person to break the 2-hour marathon barrier.
Kenya is also the paternal home to Barrack Obama, and Rishi Sunak’s roots, who is Britain’s prime minister.
I can go on and on, you just have to visit this beautiful country to experience it.
Now, on to my culture shock experiences.
Polite Disclaimer: This is just my experience, and I do not mean any disrespect to Kenyans and their diverse unique culture.
1. Matatu culture
Kenya has these vibrant artistic public transport vehicles called ‘matatu’. They have graffiti and images of famous people worldwide, and most of them play loud pop music. Young Kenyans like them, I guess it’s the style, the music, the graffiti art, and the speed that attracts them. I wanted to ride in one, but I was not sure if they would agree to have the volume of the music down until I alighted.
2. Burning old innerwear
So, apparently in Kenya, if you want to throw away used innerwear that you no longer need, you don’t just toss them in the trash can, like most people there, you would have them in one hip and set them on fire. I asked Terry why not just throw them in the trash, She first gave me this surprised look, then told me …” Rob these things are too personal, I’m comfortable knowing that I burnt them… you will not understand…” she was right, I didn’t understand.
3. Wash your own underwear
Kenya has this amazing weather, so laundry is mostly done by hand and air-dried outside, and if like me you hire someone to do your laundry by hand, you better remove your innerwear from the laundry pile, as it is deemed uncouth for someone else who is not your spouse to wash your innerwear.
4. Eating with fingers
Kenya’s staple food is Ugali, nyama choma, and greens. One thing that I noticed and was consistent was that most Kenyans eat this favorite meal by hand, Terry asked me several times, …” will you eat with your hands?”… and I would retort …” jeez, only God knows where my fingers have been to, …hell-to-the-no…” and she would just laugh as she handed me cutlery to use.
5. Motobikes(boda boda) that ferry anything
Kenya has these passenger motorbikes known as boda bodas, which are very convenient and help ease transportation by far. Now, these boda bodas carry anything and everything including sofas, beds, lumber, long steel rods, goats, and sheep, etc.
The riders skillfully tie their luggage to the carrier part of the bike, and you should see how they maneuver the busy city roads carrying 7-foot-long sofas. The first time I saw the, I was just dumbfounded.
What culture shocks have you experienced while on your travels away from home?
I would like to hear them.
