Indian businesses and services in Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi and its Asian community grew up together. The city began at the end of the 1890s as a depot on the Uganda Railway, built with labour recruited from British India, and the traders and artisans who followed, Gujarati, Punjabi, Goan and others, built up much of its early commerce. Kenyan Asians are now citizens of many generations, and in 2017 the Kenyan government formally recognised the community as the country's 44th tribe.

Parklands and Westlands, north-west of the city centre, are the community's best-known neighbourhoods, with temples, schools, sports clubs and plenty of places to eat and shop. Older family businesses can still be found in the city centre.

Religious life is rich and highly organised. There are several Shree Swaminarayan temples, among them the BAPS mandir on Forest Road, opened in 1999, and the East Africa Satsang temple in Parklands, as well as Sanatan Dharma and Arya Samaj temples, and the Oshwal Centre in Parklands is a hub for the Visa Oshwal Jain community. Sikh gurdwaras serve the city, and many families make the journey to the historic gurdwara at Makindu on the Mombasa road, which serves free langar to travellers around the clock. Diwali and Navratri are the largest festivals, with Navratri garba nights drawing big crowds over nine evenings. Nairobi traffic is heavy, so allow time when crossing the city at peak hours, especially to and from Westlands.