What to buy in Kenya

There are many categories of things that you may want to consider buying while in Kenya.

Maasai Mara tribal items

If you go to the Maasai Mara area, you can buy this on-site (while haggling with a Maasai man writing on his arm with a twig), otherwise, you can get these items at stores around the country. The Maasai Mara are famous for their masks, spears, blankets, and beadwork.

The masks are generally made of wood (and some can be separated into pieces to make taking them home easier). Spears are popular tourist purchases as well as their cured hide shields. There are also wood carvings of all sorts.

The Maasai also have extensive beadwork for sale. This varies from ceramic beads that are used to make Kazuri necklaces, bracelets, and earrings (many made by single mothers, to learn a skill to be self-sufficient), to beadwork with small beads to make plates, bowls, and other large decorative items.

The Maasai are also famous for their blankets (also called shuka), which usually are predominantly red and made of cotton or wool. These are great all-purpose gifts or for you to take home to your own home. For standard one at a regular tourist stop, these should be between $5 and $15 US. Finer quality ones go higher.

Clothing and textiles

In addition to the Maasai Mara’s blankets, Kenya has many stores selling locally made fabrics. Batiks and the local sarong-like wrap that are called kikois and Tangas (depending on if they are for men or women) are abundant and very colorful, although much of what you find in Kenya was made in Indonesia, etc.

Food and drink

Most people I traveled with in Africa really enjoyed their ginger drinks, particularly Tangawizi, which I truly wish was easier to get in the US. Strong like ginger beer but smoother “kick”.

Artwork

Kenya is the home to many artists, from glass to wood to stone.

One of the most popular types of artwork brought back from Kenya is carvings. There are two main types made by Kenyans: soapstone (called Kisii) and wood. The wood carvings can be made of ebony (an expensive and heavy, dark wood with an amazing sheen), or the lighter and cheaper mango or neem woods. Popular shapes are animals (especially giraffes) and carved African scenes. I also saw many things carved (or assembled) out of malachite which looks really cool when the rings and lines combine in fun ways.

Baskets (also called kiondos) of various types (from shopping bags to expensive display items) made of sisal and held together with cotton are sold throughout the country. With various patterns and colors, there’s something for everyone on your gift list.

Finally, there is the well-known glassworks called Kitengela Hot Glass with 3 locations in the Nairobi area. It is a glass workshop where disabled people make various artworks from recycled glass. They sell everything from suncatchers, to large stained glass hangings, to vases, tables, and figurines.