12 Things That Shocked Me in Kenya
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Grace had her turn last week, so now it's mine! I'm not someone who gets shocked by things easily, but I will say that these 12 things definitely caught me off-guard when I first went to Nairobi.
Let us know in the comments what your Kenyan/Nairobi culture shocks are/were!
THE STORYS are Grace Odengo Story and Kevin F. Story.
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Thanks for watching! S1 Ep.8
#TheStorys #KenyanVsAmerican #InternationalCouple
I just got back from Kenya and just stumbled across your channel and everything you said is so true haha. It had been a while since I was last there.
I can't wait to go back, hope you had a good trip
And you didn't say hi to me
I just stumbled upon your channel, and very glad I did. I enjoyed the topic. I just had my dowry ceremony in January with my beautiful Kenyan Queen. Kevin, I also had the same thought in the back of my head while shopping in Narobi. About the security in every building, absolutely everywhere. But I fell in love with my bride, her country, her family and just about all the Kenyans I came across. Going back in September, and cant't wait!!!
Great!
Wow! From where?
@@irenedavo3768 Juja......we had our dowry ceremony near Kakamega @ her mothers village.
@@ronaldbarnes2613 I am from kakamega and it's very pleasing to hear this.You are our inlaw now and welcome.Am from Lurambi-just near kakamega town
Aww this is so sweet. Wish you loads of happiness in your marriage
As someone married to an American woman, I can say that your observations are spot on 😂. We love to tease each other about our contexts too!
Youre married to an mzungu woman. I bet pesa on it.
Steve Harvey on his Family Feud Africa version also comments on how Africans speak a very formal version of English. And how our English is good. The words we use in our everyday language is impressive. That's what we get for having the British Empire control and influence our education system - very very good English. And he hasn't even met The Hon. Orengo yet, and God forbid, PLO Lumumba. They would blow Steve Harvey's mind off with their mastery of the Queen's English!
Oh yes PLO is a linguistic in english
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
What they did is nothing to be proud of mkubwa. People, tribes, villages were ravaged, and brutalized by colonists. Is it worth speaking the English language then? How much do the lives of the innocent elderly, and those who fought to defend their lives mean.
Please wake up from your subjugated mindset
🤣😂
@@bmwof-texas3923 That part of history is sad and shameful... but living in it at the expense of everything else is giving the perpetrators more power that they should never have. Learning different languages and being good at those languages should never be connected to the evil of slavery in this day and age when people actually pay dearly for education.
Good observations. The security in most buildings where they do the scanning was taken more serious after the terrorist attack at Westgate mall in 2013 and became really escalated after the DusitD2 terrorist attack in 2019.
Grace has a calm and humble spirit.Barikiweni
Thank you 😊
I noticed that.
Hey guys!
Very impressive. Am so in love with this . That culture shock analysis is soo great. Kwaherini. 😁
The cows are brought into the city by Maasai pastoralistso during dry months to graze. Nairobi was originally theirs but they got pushed out by settlers so that's why we don't harass them. In fact the name Nairobi is derived from the Maasai word for 'place of cool waters'. Maasais used to roam the entire country, and a lot of towns are derived from Maasais names for them.
Interesting!
@@KevinStory To the Maasais, every green space or pasture is God given and good for their cows,city limits not withstanding! In fact they believe all cattle in the world belongs to them and as such, every field is deservedly for grazing cattle. You must have visited during dry season where Maasai herdsmen roam all over for pasture
Maasai would have benefited greatly if they had settled in central kenya. There's fresh grass everywhere all year long for their cattle
@@cybertroy2 noo their animals would have died ...it's too cold for them .. especially since they animals they keep are indigenous only exotic cattle thrive in cool areas
We are the settlers now
Thank you so much for putting everything as it is....i love kenya..
Well done! You two look so beautiful! And that was so accurate of a description. Cnt wait to share it with my American wife who has not been to Kenya yet
What is so 'beautiful' looking about them??
@@bintiyangu uko na ufala😂😂😂
I’ve recently had a gentleman from Kenya introduce himself to me. I am in awe of him. I am indeed intrigued by him and getting to know him. Who knows where this would lead?!?!? Patience……..
I pray he represents our country 🇰🇪well😊.
I agree about our English being more formal, a guy from California came to our company and commented about the same several times. You guys are making good videos, you just got one more subscriber.
I remember when I first landed in NYC, had to put my Nairobi cap on and I was fine
"looks like a temporary building as if a real building would be build someday" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣 😂😂🤣
That wooden structure was built by TWO mzungus. By themselves. I dont mean two contractors, I mean two men. Built wakamaliza.
@@foy41gmail6 😄😄😂 C'mon
@@BensonNyasae ask anyone else who has worked in JKIA long enough. They only saw two guys on site every day. Go ahead and investigate
Dude, what has "getting off the plane ON TO THE TARMAC got to do with CULTURE?
or the arrival TERMINAL looking TEMPORARY?
Only the aeroplanes made it look like an airfield otherwise, it's like landing at the backyard of an elementary school.
I was raised in Louisiana and we were taught to wash hands before and after meals…..Breakfast lunch and dinner. At 42, I still do it today. I rarely go to Restaurants but I will still wash my hands before the food is on the table I will wash my hands and after I eat
I have never understood why we Kenyans use the word "kindly" so often. As for the tea, yes we love our tea in a huge flask and a huge mug. The washing of hands before a meal is because most of our meals include Ugali which we love eating with our hands. #proudKenyan,
At first, when I visited Kenya I could not see the importance of such words as KINDLY but after 10 years and 5 visits I LOVE to hear this AMAZING word: KINDLY. Despite the challenges KENYANS are so KIND in many ways and I do HOPE they will be INSPIRING other nations.
We use it too often it sounds fake to me. Not genuine at all.
Uko sure wewe si mluhya
Jk 😂😂
@@nightmareblack8674 lol!
I love your content. Its so real and interesting. Among things that may have shocked you is the public transport. Did you board any of the decorated 'matatus' with the loud music?
I haven't yet, but I will
Will never forget my first trip to NYC. I usually trusting so I got into the one of those black taxis. The driver was 'kind' and chatty. Ended up charging me $200 to lower manhattan. A trip that cost me $45 at a later trip. Lesson learnt 🙂
An expensive lesson!
Ati 200, I will just die immediately,
Lucky for me it was an uber that I tried to book, so I could immediately see the crazy price it was charging.. I took about 3 subways instead lol. All by myself at night 😳
- Most people that arrive using the old terminal (1B) think that's all there is to the JKIA airport. However those that use the SkyTeam alliance airlines get to use terminal 1A, which is more like what you would expect thus they would have a different view on you saying the airport seems temporary, as it ain't.
- On the cows 🤣🤣 you are spot on. My worst nightmare. However the best is when when we have to co-exist with lions, hyenas, monkeys, etc. So you see ...a cow in the middle of the road is nothing.
- Use of "Karibu" .....has to be put into context. It doesn't only get used in the context of thank you....but like welcome again, or welcome in, welcome to my space etc. That's why it sounds overly used.
Anyway, karibu Kenya tena 😉💪
It's my first time here...I guess being a Kenyan it's funny to hear that some of the things suprised you because it's part of our life. Hehehe
We are just polite, we want to share and all you say is thank you , shows appreciation
I have come to find out that the reason some people are lactose intolerant because of the processing that is done to the milk. When I visit Kenya I drink tea and it never bothers my stomach, but here in the US my stomach cannot handle milk, I am usually back to lactose milk because my stomach cannot handle regular milk. I think most of the milk in Kenya is usually straight from the cow or else the processing is done differently.
We don't proves our milk other than the kcc brookside we get the milk direct from the cow unless those bought in supermarket
It’s true! I have issues with milk here in the states. Interestingly, Kevin read an article that found that the people who started drinking milk in the world were from Kenya, maybe the Maasai.
even in kenya milk is processed there's so many people who are intolerant to milk to extent that kcc recently launched milk specifically for that niche
The processing in Kenya is through pasteurization so it doesn't affect you that much unless you take ones with chemical processing
@@AntoineJacques have you been to all factories,saa zingine heri kunyamaza bana, some of the milk factories in kenya are rogue
Kevin, my culture shock in the US was houses without fences. Kenya you must have a high perimeter wall and a gate to protect your home
I've seen that in Nairobi for sure, but not as much in the village
I like your thought on cultures having a lot of similarities if you just look more closely at things, it may appear different but it's actually very similar
Thanks, Finn. I think it's an important one... The sooner we can all find that place of understanding each other, the better off we'll all be!
This video is so hilarious,you can be a great comedian,it's always interesting to see the cultural image we portray as Kenyans.
I hereby want to say the video was really nice. Karibuni kwetu nyahururu for a great cup of tea. Thankyou and dont forget to wash your hands and stay safe.....😉😉
Haha asante
Kindly. Welcome.
Thats so accurate😂😂. My husband is sweedish. He said the same thing about "polution" Hand washing and tea. he kept showing my poor dad videos about solar energy😆. But he was so happy by my grandmas especially when they took the cows to the cattledip with my Cousins and i had to go make hair. He came for a goodbye kiss (i had told him we dont show public Shows of affection) and everyone vanished either in the tea plantation or cowshed😆. But above all he was happy about Hodi hodi thats knock knock 😂😂. That was used massivelly than usual since we stayed at home and i dont know what they thought we were doing behind clossed Doors 😄
😂
Oh my God 😂😂😂 this made my day
😂😂😂 loved this. Will check out more of your videos.
Thanks
Cows always get me all the time in the city suburb Karen. I always tell my sons who are Americans takes pics of this you will surely miss some day
A yr late...just found ur channel....so true about Kenya.....Kenyan in the US...
Thanks for watching
The Tea observation was hilarious 😂😂
Tea is cheap compared to soda.It can also be made by a small amount of milk. In Kenya a visitor is always offered something to drink.
Cows grazing in our roads is just hilarious! Hakuna matata
😄😄😃😃 can't help laughing by the way kervin is explaining it. Karibu sana
Asante sana 😊
I was so shocked when i moved to America how pple dont wash hands b4 eating,The fake smile pisses me off till today.I love the way you can go to job interview wearing casuals and how freely you can chat with your bosses.The most amazing thing is you can quit a job today and find another job tommorow😅
Her politeness made me subscribe to this channel .Mko na content poa
Asante
@@KevinStory karibu
Wow, that was great.
Thanks for watching Mum
Car owners don't take their cars for services according to mechanic appointment dates. Saving cash #Economics
As a Kenyan who grew up in both Kenya and America, the handwashing thing hit me too hard and made me realize that I wash my hands a lot. If I'm at a restaurant, I go wash my hands after being seated (use hand sanitizer when there is no access to a bathroom). This fact blew my mind because it's been instilled in me as a kid and we do the same to little ones as well. Something about my culture that I really didn't think about. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching!
It is true about over using the word “whereby” 😂
My favorite is the Spice Tea with Chipati
Kenyan moving around the world, currently in Uganda I got homesick n i ended up here
Wow I'm from Nairobi and I'm so surprised at how accurate this is! Good job Kevin & Grace! Frankly, I was expecting to be outraged because there's so many mzungus out there who tell an incomplete story of Africa and that single story sells because of white privilege. Thank you for telling our side of the story. My only reservation is that the title of this video leans more toward that single story. Otherwise, kudos!
I believe lactose intolerance is caused by the way the milk is processed. Most Kenyan milk is straight from the cow - no processing. Let your friend try the Kenyan milk and they may not have a problem with it. When I go to Kenya I gulp down that milk without any intolerance effects that I experience here in the US. I think the problem is in the way milk is processed.
I think you may be right about that
Lactose-free milk is available..
People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the sugar (lactose) in milk, usually because they have an inadequate supply lactase. So our Kenyan milk would probably kill his friend, as the sugar content is quite high. There's an interesting correlation there, since neurons use lactose for energy. So I wonder how this affects lactose intolerant people. Tusome tu bana.
I agree I'm Kenyan and I have never met a person suffering from lactose intolerance. Not to say they don't exist but maybe because our milk is different most people drink it without a problem.
@@cheelenny4905 I'm here🙂
Subscribed👍🏼. Good stuff😃
Thanks 😊
Thank you both for this! I remember coming back to a party with some school friends right after I came home and I greeted everyone in the room with a handshake and they all looked at me like I was from Mars. My time in Kenya was a long time ago (2002-03ish). A few things I remember were: Matatu's were more unregulated at that time and were loud and played music videos with people packed like sardines. I miss all the little shops everywhere where you could get soda (fanta black currant my favorite) or eggs. Almost every home was in a compound of some sorts some with electrified wires on top. The Marabu storks that would roost in the trees along mombasa highway and hang out around the stadium. Omena being sold at the markets. Can't wait to watch more. Love your content, keep it up!
Thanks, David! Sounds like you had some memorable times in Nairobi
You havent missed much, they are still there, esp those pesky Marabou stocks lol. They will not hesitate to nuke you as you pass below hehe
The trees at Nyayo stadium are no longer there. The birds had to seek alternative ways to shelter.
Do you know Jim Nduruchi? Kenya 🇰🇪
@@irenedavo3768 ooh that boyfriend of yours we know him. He adds no value to this topic
Nice video😀
Thanks 😁
@@KevinStory your welcome
From Kenya - you guys are very interesting
Africa people in general do pray alot may it be Muslim or Christian
Yes and indeginous religion believers as well, they do practice quite a bit too.
Do you watch videos of Jim Nduruchi Kenya 🇰🇪
They're security guards cum front office operators😃. Maasai are nomads hence can graze anywhere in the country (all the grass belongs to their cattle) and the only ones allowed to carry weapons in the city centre😃( Machetes, rungus etc)
Any one can carry weapons here as long as they adhere to the laws and decorum of we the republic also even though most of us would let the Massai graze almost any where they can not because of the bylaws in many places any the fact that there are more than 50 tribes in Kenya and the massai are just one of them.
I was expecting, as the number one shocking thing, a matatu ride. Did you not get into one of those rowdy matatus playing loud music and being driven like race cars? If you didn't, you missed a huge part of the Nairobi experience. Anyhoo.....just stumbled upon your channel. A new subbie here, binge watching your videos, while sipping on my TEA (with milk, of course!). ;)
I haven't gotten to take a matatu yet, though from what I hear they can be kind of like our subways in NY with the noise and being crowded together. Hope I can take one next time I'm there!
@@KevinStory do you know about Rivers in Nairobi
I think your next visit you should see Nairobi Rivers
Please take a rongai matatu, the experience will last you a lifetime. It's like being in a race car with a dj playing all the latest music 😂🎶
Jambo Bwana😂Im enjoying the story
I dont want to be shocked.. loved your video...
Thank you
This is a very interesting conversation, made me laugh, I've lived abroad for a very long time and still find it weird when I visit someone's house and they don't pray, in my head, I'm like "oh God they've just ruined my visit".
😂
You could initiate the prayer yourself.
@@MrMaboboz As a visitor? No you cannot.
@@coyoluo why not? If a Muslim or Buddhist visited my house and decided to pray I'd find it very interesting, not offensive.
@@MrMaboboz Stop stretching it, it’s a tradition in western Kenya and not a matter of correctness.
So true. My boyfriend says same things as well 🤣
"At the end of the day" was said alot in Kenya.
Interesting video and many true observations. But the one that shocked me, is your shock that people walk on tarmac right off the plane. That's done all over the world, not just in Kenya.🤔 In Europe in Summer etc.
Many airports in the US have jetways which connect the airplane to the terminal. I didn't experience walking out on the tarmac until I flew into a small airport in the Los Angeles area, which I thought was a unique experience. Could be shocking for the average American who's never seen that before.
I heard recently that it's illegal to take pictures in the city (not sure if that's just the city square or everywhere). I love taking photos and can't imagine not being able to do that!
You can take pictures using your phone except in government buildings or big malls. But using a camera is where it's tricky
Hi you can take photos except for the parliament building
Urban cow 🐮 is literally everywhere 🤣🤣
Washing hands is deeply ingrained in our identity
😂
wow good videos. :)
Thanks
Talking of tea I just want some tea right now...I live in Texas and I still do that I must have tea every morning
It's not too hot for tea?
@@KevinStory For a Kenyan,it doesn't matter what time or weather condition. Tea is for anytime, anywhere!
Do you know Jim Nduruchi Kenya 🇰🇪
@@KevinStory as kenyan it's never hot for tea
Happy for you both.
Thank you
Security check, was initiated after the West gate terrorist attack in Nairobi. The mitigation action was to combat future attacks.
The cows in the middle of the road are main cause of traffic jam in cities like Kisumu.... it's normal 😂😂😂😂😂
You are so funny man 🤭
Whereby you mentioned prayer in every event
🤣🤣
The arrivals area at the airport burnt down a few years ago and it's under construction.
Im African American (Kenyan dad and American mother)
New subscriber here! You’re so funny
Thanks!
That airport international arrivals building is actually a temporary building, it used to be a garage. The actual international arrivals building burned down. Your wife is a Kenyan thought she would know.
Was looking for this comment. I also thought she should have known
So the new terminal is not accepting international flights yet?
@@u-know-this it does but only flights by kenya airways and skyteam members. other airlines have to use the temporary arrivals.
Very informative. I leave for Nairobi in a few days. I would not call these things shocking, though. Overblown word here. Interesting maybe. Notable or surprising perhaps. You want something to be "shocked" by, I can tell you about my trips to India and Nepal.
Hope you arrived safely. Enjoy.
KARIBU
please tell us,what happened in India😂😂😂😂
In Lagos,Nigeria, the air was so full of diesel exhaust that when I took my shower, the lather was grey.
In North America, we generally do not have razor wire on a parameter wall or electric.
You'll see the razor wire in NYC for sure
Tea everywhere 😝😝😝
Thank you for mentioning the huge difference in hand washing culture between Kenyans and Americans... was just discussing the same 😊. Boggles the mind 🤔
I'm Nigeria and I'm thinking this is definitely an African thing because I recently moved to England and I am still reeling from this culture shock, hand washing is not as big deal here even in restaurants. The first thing you do when you get back home is to go wash your hands
Shaking hands made me laugh 🤣🤣🤣 lmao,don't be surprised..proud to be kenyan
In Kenya being an eithist ama pagan looks more like a crime😂... I also came to learn that we do handshake is a Kenyan thing when I traveled into arab territory😏...I have never shaked any of them 😂😂😂
Am Atheist in Kenya. We are so many these days. Its normal especially with the younger generation.
Well... we don't shake hands much so no hard feelings 😂💀
It's true Matatus, Buses and Lorries pollute the environment. The motor vehicle assembly plants will keep on producing these matatus and lorries (locally assembled) that pollute the environment unless the Government comes up with tough legislations to tame this kind of thing, otherwise it will just go on forever!
This thing cracked my ass🤣🤣🤣
Yoo nice one... I'm happy you've dug well n deep Plus you truly know kenyan lifestyle well👏🏽. hook me up with a States lady.. I'm from Kenya.. and the both of you look cute together....
True, the washing of hands i didnt know its a culture in Kenya,
The arrivals terminal IS temporary (permanently temporary..lol..because it's been there for a while). The last one burnt down. Hawkers pay the police to hold up traffic so they can sell.
Naah not true.
Not true at all....
I remember that fire now.
Never heard of this before
True...especially Thika Rd and mombasa rd
You are such a Beautiful Couple ~ Like 2 WINGS of OneBird. 🙏
Appreciate this, thanks 🙏🙏
The Marabou storks! They are the pigeons of Nairobi!
Would love to see normal life life grocery shopping, getting gas, driving licence, paying light bill...just ordinary stuff.
Hi John! Normal life in NY or in Kenya?
@@KevinStory Its the interface with society in diferent countries that is so interesting
So....comparing an action im two countries like grocery shopping or paying a utility bill becomes a window into that country.
@@johnwebb5359 got it!
Hello John, that may be interesting however most people would find it intrusive and offended if they notice you taking videos...
My shocking experience was when the children use very tiny broken pieces of crayons. I asked the missionary about it and she said they were expensive and hard to find in Kenya. I looked everywhere for them. In eldoret and couldn't find them until I got to Nairobi. They were very expensive for a small amount.
Crayons are sold everywhere. Bookshops, supermarkets even corner shops in the estate😲
That's a lie. Crayons are everywhere
Am also wondering what crayons you are talking about. They are everywhere
I just come across ur channel and I like it.. Great content.. Great comparison.. I agree
Thank you for watching! We are glad you enjoyed it. Have a look at our other videos and let us know what you think.
I guess we wash hands alot koz alot of our meals are hand eaten: chapati, ugali, meats.
It's only disappointing now with covid, you wash your hand but not to eat🤣
😂😂😂😂😂
Yeah, I stumbled on this two-year old video and I like it. Sure, hand-washing......very important!
+ one fan
Thank you
It's the Jambo bwana for me 😆😆
😂
Urban cows are a menace for us (Kenyan's) as well. Grinds my gears all the time!!
I subscribed gg...
In kenya you are never a stranger...they treat you like they know you .
It's true
Yeap! Terminal 2 is a tent! Shocking.
Jambo Bwana🤣🤣🤣
The handwashing came about because of waterborne diseases so it was settled into us as kids and that reduced the rates of diarrhoea and such like diseases.
Am laughing out Soo loud now.. waaa...
A cow in the city roaming
Everyone shaking hands
Being told karibu every time
Praying each time
Tea 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣... Waaauuuuu.. am just sooo laughing u made my nyt
😊
I'm not sure how safe Nairobi is. My cousin in Nairobi has a 12 ft wall surrounding his property, 4 guards with 2 alsatians that patrol his home 24/7.
It's safe, but we like our peace of mind.
Unaexaggerate eish
Must be a rich guy living in a posh neighborhood
12 ft! Jeez! Maybe he lives in the suburbs where houses have large lawns and are therefore far from each other, and it's just an in case type of situation. Lol, I don't even thing our wall reaches 2 feet.
There was fire around the arrival building and expansion plans are still underway so building block building was not an option.
Just found about you new subscriber
Thanks for subscribing
It's cause Kenyans learn English in school... Swahili is the national language...