Nairobi offers a better range of Kenyan crafts and souvenirs than any other city in the country, combined with a growing mall culture that serves both residents and visitors. Knowing which markets carry genuine work and which are tourist traps saves time and money.
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Craft Markets
Maasai Market
The Maasai Market is Nairobi’s most well-known open-air craft market and rotates locations throughout the week. The Friday location at Village Market (Limuru Road, Gigiri) is the largest and most accessible for visitors, particularly those staying near Westlands or the UN complex.
Stalls sell Maasai beadwork (earrings from KES 200-500, necklaces from KES 500-3,000), Kisii soapstone carvings (small figures from KES 300-800), wooden animal carvings, tie-dye Kikoi textiles (KES 400-1,000), and batik fabric. Quality varies significantly across stalls — examine bead threading, carving detail, and fabric weight carefully.
Negotiation: Vendors typically open at 50-100% above the price they’ll accept. A calm, friendly counter at 40-50% of the asking price usually meets a realistic middle. Buying multiple items from one stall also brings prices down.
The Saturday Yaya Centre (Argwings Kodhek Road, Hurlingham) location is smaller but conveniently placed for those staying in Kilimani or Upper Hill.
Kazuri Beads and Pottery Factory
Location: Off Karen Road, Karen Opening hours: 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm Saturday Entry: Free
Kazuri (Swahili for “small and beautiful”) is a women’s cooperative producing hand-thrown ceramic beads and pottery. The factory tour — free and takes 20-30 minutes — walks through the full production process: clay forming, kiln firing, hand-painting, and bead stringing. The adjacent shop sells finished jewellery sets (necklaces from KES 800-3,500, earrings from KES 400-1,200) and ceramic bowls and mugs.
The cooperative employs over 300 single mothers and disadvantaged women from the Karen area. Purchasing here directly supports the workers. Easily combined with the Karen Blixen Museum 5 minutes away.
City Market (Municipal Market)
Location: Muindi Mbingu Street, Nairobi CBD Opening hours: Approximately 8am-6pm daily
The City Market is a covered colonial-era market hall in the central business district. The ground floor has fresh produce, fish, and butcheries serving local buyers. The upper level carries tourist-oriented crafts, carvings, and fabrics at generally higher prices than the Maasai Market.
The setting is atmospheric — a 1930s arcade with hawkers calling from stalls — but prices are aggressive and quality is inconsistent. Use it as a browse if you’re in the CBD, not as a primary craft-buying destination.
Undugu Arts
Location: Parklands (off Forest Road) Opening hours: 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday
Undugu is a fair-trade craft shop supplying Kenyan artisans with a retail outlet and export channel. The selection runs to Kisii soapstone, beadwork, basketry, and textile pieces, with prices clearly marked and slightly above market-rate in exchange for guaranteed authenticity and artisan fair payment. Good for buyers who want verified provenance without the negotiation process.
Shopping Malls
Village Market
Location: Limuru Road, Gigiri (near the US Embassy and UN complex) Opening hours: 9am-10pm daily
Village Market is Nairobi’s most visited mall for visitors and houses the Friday Maasai Market. Beyond the craft market, the indoor shopping includes Nakuru Curios (fixed-price craft selection with good quality control), Batik Africa (printed fabric and tailored clothing), several international brands, and a food court with Kenyan and international options.
The adjacent Tribe Hotel and Village Market Hotel serve good coffee and light meals on the terrace. Allow 3-4 hours if combining mall shopping with the craft market. Parking is extensive and free.
Junction Mall
Location: Ngong Road, Dagoretti Corner Opening hours: 9am-9pm daily
One of the most accessible malls for visitors staying in Karen or Nairobi West. Woolworths (South African retailer with quality clothing and homeware), Nairobi Java House (Kenyan coffee chain, best espresso in the mall), and a Nakumatt supermarket anchor the tenant mix. The Maasai Market runs here on Wednesdays.
Westgate Shopping Mall
Location: Mwanzi Road, Westlands Opening hours: 9am-9pm daily
Westgate is the most architecturally significant mall in Nairobi, rebuilt after the 2013 attack. Artcaffe on the ground floor is a reliable coffee stop. Kukito sells curated Kenyan design objects (ceramics, textiles, prints) at prices reflecting the design quality. The food court includes Java House, Artcaffe, and several Kenyan fast-casual options.
Sarit Centre
Location: Westlands Road, Westlands Opening hours: 9am-9pm daily
The largest mall in Westlands. Prestige Bookshop carries a solid selection of Kenyan literature and East African travel guides. Carrefour supermarket (ground floor) is the best-stocked grocery in Westlands and a good stop for local food items to take home — Kenyan coffee (from KES 500-2,000 per 250g), Kenyan tea (from KES 200-800 per packet), and local honey.
Yaya Centre
Location: Argwings Kodhek Road, Hurlingham Opening hours: 9am-9pm daily
The Saturday Maasai Market location and a convenient mall for visitors staying in Kilimani. Adams Arcade Craft Village nearby (5 minutes on foot) is a cluster of permanent craft stalls with fixed prices and a calmer atmosphere than the street markets.
What to Buy in Nairobi
Best value souvenirs:
- Maasai beaded jewellery (KES 300-1,500 per piece at market prices)
- Kisii soapstone carvings (KES 300-1,500 depending on size)
- Kikoi beach wraps (KES 500-1,000)
- Kanzu (traditional East African men’s robe) as textile
Premium craft buys:
- Kazuri ceramic jewellery sets (KES 800-3,500)
- Hand-painted batik fabric by the metre (KES 800-2,500)
- Custom-tailored kanga outfit from fabric market near River Road (allow 1-2 days for tailoring)
Kenyan food to take home:
- Single-origin Kenya AA or Peaberry coffee (Carrefour, Java House, or specialist roasters like Nairobi Java House on Mama Ngina Street — 250g from KES 800-2,000)
- Loose-leaf Kenyan purple tea or orthodox black tea (from KES 200-600 per 100g)
- Kenya honey in various varieties including forest and highland (KES 400-900 per 500g jar)
What to avoid: Generic souvenirs labelled “Made in China” found in airport shops and some City Market stalls. These include plastic Maasai figurines, low-quality fabric with printed patterns, and poorly cast brass animals. The difference in quality from genuine craft work is immediately visible.
Practical Notes
Payment: Most malls and fixed-price shops accept Visa, Mastercard, and M-Pesa. Craft markets are cash-only. Carry KES for market shopping.
Transport between areas: Bolt or Uber between Westlands, Village Market, Karen, and the CBD is the practical option. Typical trips cost KES 300-900. The Maasai Market at Village Market (Gigiri) is 12km from the CBD — allow 20-40 minutes depending on traffic.
Timing: The best market days are Friday (Village Market) and Saturday (Yaya Centre). Weekday markets are smaller but less crowded and vendors are often more willing to negotiate. Malls are quieter on weekday mornings.
For more on Nairobi, see our Nairobi things to do guide, the Nairobi restaurants guide, and the Nairobi hotels guide. For the full city overview, see the Nairobi city hub.
For guided Maasai Market tours, food walking tours, and city half-day excursions, browse Nairobi tours on GetYourGuide.