Moving to Kenya from Rwanda
What to Expect
Considering a move from Rwanda to Kenya? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Rwanda to Kenya. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.
Get free moving quotes to Kenya
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Who Else Is Making This Move?
What the data shows about people moving from Rwanda to Kenya.
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Kenya compared to Rwanda.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
Rwanda performs better than Kenya across all safety metrics.
How's the healthcare?
annual government + private spending per person
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Kenya leads in health coverage index.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Rwanda generally does better on environment, though Kenya leads in air pollution deaths.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
annual consumption — reflects grid capacity
Kenya generally does better on infrastructure, though Rwanda leads in water stress level.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
Kenya generally does better on employment & economy, though Rwanda leads in top income tax rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
percentage of adults who can read and write
Kenya generally does better on family life, though Rwanda leads in infant mortality.
Data: Rwanda Revenue Authority, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Kigali | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) | 77°/54°F (25°/12°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 79°/61°F (26°/16°C) | 73°/55°F (23°/13°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 82°/60°F (28°/16°C) | 72°/50°F (22°/10°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) | 75°/55°F (24°/13°C) |
View all months
| Month | Kigali | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C) | 76°/53°F (24.5°/11.5°C) |
| Feb | 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C) | 78°/53°F (25.6°/11.6°C) |
| Mar | 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) | 78°/56°F (25.6°/13.1°C) |
| Apr | 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C) | 75°/57°F (24.1°/14.0°C) |
| May | 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C) | 73°/56°F (22.6°/13.2°C) |
| Jun | 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C) | 71°/52°F (21.5°/11.0°C) |
| Jul | 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C) | 69°/50°F (20.6°/10.1°C) |
| Aug | 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C) | 71°/50°F (21.4°/10.2°C) |
| Sep | 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C) | 75°/51°F (23.7°/10.5°C) |
| Oct | 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C) | 76°/54°F (24.7°/12.5°C) |
| Nov | 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C) | 74°/56°F (23.1°/13.1°C) |
| Dec | 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C) | 74°/55°F (23.4°/12.6°C) |
Data:
Rwanda Meteorology Agency,
Kenya Meteorological Department
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Rwanda and Kenya. To live, work, or study long-term in Kenya, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Kenya's immigration authority.
Rwanda passport holder visiting Kenya
Visa Free
Kenya passport holder visiting Rwanda
Visa FreeData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Kenya?
Connectivity is usually fine (Kenya: 1.9 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Kenya offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Kenya safe for expats?
Rwanda performs better than Kenya across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Kenya is 4.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Rwanda.
How is healthcare in Kenya compared to Rwanda?
Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Kenya leads in health coverage index. There are 1.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Kenya, compared to 1.2 in Rwanda. Kenya scores 53 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Rwanda: 49).
What's the weather like in Kenya compared to Rwanda?
The average high temperature in Nairobi is 74°F, compared to 80°F in Kigali. Nairobi receives around 40.3 in of rainfall per year, while Kigali gets 37.4 in.
What language do they speak in Kenya?
The official languages in Kenya are English and Swahili. In Rwanda, the official languages are English, French and Kinyarwanda.
