Over the years Kenya has scooped top positions from various authoritative ranking bodies as a popular trade and investment hub. This progressive country in East Africa has attracted investments from leading multi-nationals especially within the tech industry. More expats are settling here in Kenya. Perhaps you are one of them and you’re trying to navigate the exciting, yet challenging experience. Kenyans are naturally friendly, warm and welcoming, but Kenya’s social fabric is more complex than these three words. As an expat you will experience unique challenges at the beginning of your journey and just when you think you understand the basics of cross-cultural communication in Kenya, you will unearth more. Let’s explore some of the things you need to know to get started:
Languages
The average Kenyan is multilingual. Kiswahili and English are the two official languages but beyond that, most Kenyans speak their native languages as well. There are over 44 ethnic communities in the country and each community has its unique language passed down to generations informally. Some communities have sub-tribes within the larger tribes and these sub-tribes speak different dialects. It is common for Kenyans to code switch these languages when speaking. Kiswahili and English words appear in smooth intervals during conversations, in both formal and informal set-ups. At the comfort of their homes or in social gatherings, most Kenyans use their native languages or Kiswahili to communicate with friends or family. Only a small percentage of Kenyans use English all the time.
Though Kenya is ranked as having the best English speakers in Africa (a fact that has attracted heavy investments in outsourcing businesses), most Kenyans have a native accent and some do not speak the polished versions of the language. There are popular Swahili sayings that point to the fact that speaking “broken English” or mispronouncing words is not a big deal. One popular saying goes “English came on a ship and even the fish in the sea did not learn the language”. This loosely translates to “if English was an easy language, sea creatures would have learned it as the English speaking explorers travelled by ship to get to Kenya”. Nonetheless, as an expat from an English speaking country, communicating with the average Kenyan is not a big challenge. When speaking to someone with a thick native accent, you just have to be patient to catch the words and seek clarity when you do not understand. Depending on one’s ethnicity, Kenyan accents vary from person to person. Some people have a general Kenyan accent, just as South Africans, or Ghanains have their unique accent shared across the individual countries. However, Kenyans who have primarily spoken their ethnic language for most parts of their lives tend to have more unique accents that may cause language barriers, if they struggle to pronounce certain words. Over time, you will learn to pick the variations and make out what people are saying. Unknown to many expats, accents are a double edged sword. You need to be aware of the barriers your accent could cause. Though many people may not speakers may not recognize their accents as significantly difficult to understand, they can be problematic to non-native speakers. Try to speak slowly and repeat words if people around you seem confused.
Etiquette
The code of politeness is a multilayered one in the Kenyan context. Perhaps, this is one of the most important topics to grasp if you want to have an easy time living and working in Kenya. Overall Kenyans strive to be as polite as possible. Abrasiveness or a brash communication style or even being too direct is discouraged. Higher standards are placed on specific members of the community. Seniority, for instance is respected and younger people are expected to be polite to seniors all the time. Leaders, especially those holding high offices are also expected to avoid abrasive language or inflammatory remarks. Cussing and vulgar language are a no-go zone. Local languages and Kiswahili use a lot of euphemisms when a topic is potentially vulgar or insulting.
One other thing you will notice over time is that Kenyans do not use the word “NO” directly. If, you were to call someone and asked them to attend your event and they said, “I’ll call you back”, it is highly likely they will not call you back. Saying “NO” directly is not necessarily considered impolite. However, social ties are very important in Kenya. In a country where emergency ambulance, fire or police services are not readily available, social ties are extremely valuable. Social capital is almost as important as financial capital. When a loved one passes on, friends, family and even colleagues come together to oversee burial arrangements. Understandably, saying “NO” directly does not come with ease for many Kenyans. Subsequently, they will use different tactics to turn down invitations or requests. To avoid disappointments and inconveniences, you need to study and decode these tactics as fast as possible.
Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal cues are as important as verbal communication. Gestures can cause misunderstanding and miscommunication if inappropriately used. Cues that involve touch, for instance, can easily be misconstrued, especially at the workplace. In the Kenyan context, the universal non-verbal cues are interpreted in the same way, but there are a few unique cues you might want to familiarize with.
Let’s start with greetings. A handshake is the most common type of greeting used across formal and informal set-ups. Specific ethnic communities however, have their rules around greetings. A few of them require younger people to hold right arm with their left when greeting older people or individuals with higher authority as a sign of respect. While this is not necessarily practiced in formal set-ups, people who grew up practicing this gesture might keep doing so out of habit. The practice does not apply to everyone and you should not feel compelled to follow suit.
In some communities, there are rules around who can initiate greetings and who cannot. In some cultures, only an older person can initiate greetings, while in others, it is the other way around. However, the general practice in both formal and informal context is to acknowledge people and greet them when you walk into a room or when they walk in. Withholding greetings, greeting on a few people or failing to respond to greetings is often perceived as a sign of arrogance. The firmness of a handshake is also important. Limp or weak handshakes signify disinterest in the people you are engaging or lack of confidence. When shaking hands, ensure you have a firm grip and do not rush the handshake, but also avoid holding people’s hands for too long.
Shaking hands at the end of a successful engagement, whether a business meeting or even a social interaction is completely normal. In some cases, will raise their open palms and clasp them together as a sign of appreciation or gratitude for the engagement. This is the equivalent of a tap on the back or shoulder which is more common in western countries.
Eye contact is another important non-verbal cue. In many cultures around the world, eye contact or lack of it is interpreted differently. In Kenya, speakers are expected to maintain eye contact during conversations of public speaking engagements. Failure to look at people in the eyes may be interpreted as shyness, shame, lack of confidence or guilt for wrongdoing. However, too much eye contact is not recommended as it may be perceived as arrogance or as though you are challenging the other person rudely.
Would you like to learn more about communication styles in Kenya, register for a cross-cultural communication consultation HERE.
