Moving to Kenya from Senegal

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Senegal to Kenya? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Senegal to Kenya, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Swahili. 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

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Kenya compared to Senegal.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SN
20.8
KE
28.2

Senegal performs better than Kenya across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SN
$206
KE
$274
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

SN
1.3
KE
1.0

Senegal generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Kenya leads in health coverage index.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

SN
65.0
KE
33.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SN
0.8t
KE
0.4t

Kenya performs significantly better than Senegal across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

SN
1.4
KE
1.9
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SN
16.3%
KE
33.2%

Senegal generally does better on infrastructure, though Kenya leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SN
2.9%
KE
5.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SN
$4,400
KE
$5,700

Kenya generally does better on employment & economy, though Senegal leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

SN
70.0 yrs
KE
69.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SN
32.4
KE
27.9

Senegal generally does better on family life, though Kenya leads in infant mortality.

Data: Direction Generale des Impots et des Domaines, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Dakar Rain: 14.9 in/yr (379 mm)
82° / 71°F

Avg. annual high / low

Nairobi Rain: 40.3 in/yr (1024 mm)
74° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Dakar Nairobi
Jan–Mar 77°/64°F (25°/18°C) 77°/54°F (25°/12°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/70°F (26°/21°C) 73°/55°F (23°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 86°/77°F (30°/25°C) 72°/50°F (22°/10°C)
Oct–Dec 85°/73°F (29°/23°C) 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
View all months
Month Dakar Nairobi
Jan 77°/64°F (24.9°/17.9°C) 76°/53°F (24.5°/11.5°C)
Feb 77°/64°F (24.8°/17.8°C) 78°/53°F (25.6°/11.6°C)
Mar 77°/65°F (25.1°/18.3°C) 78°/56°F (25.6°/13.1°C)
Apr 76°/66°F (24.7°/19.1°C) 75°/57°F (24.1°/14.0°C)
May 79°/69°F (25.9°/20.6°C) 73°/56°F (22.6°/13.2°C)
Jun 83°/74°F (28.5°/23.5°C) 71°/52°F (21.5°/11.0°C)
Jul 86°/77°F (29.9°/25.0°C) 69°/50°F (20.6°/10.1°C)
Aug 86°/77°F (30.2°/25.2°C) 71°/50°F (21.4°/10.2°C)
Sep 87°/77°F (30.6°/25.0°C) 75°/51°F (23.7°/10.5°C)
Oct 88°/77°F (30.9°/25.2°C) 76°/54°F (24.7°/12.5°C)
Nov 85°/74°F (29.7°/23.2°C) 74°/56°F (23.1°/13.1°C)
Dec 81°/69°F (27.2°/20.5°C) 74°/55°F (23.4°/12.6°C)

Data: Agence nationale de l'Aviation Civile et de la Météorologie (ANACIM) Agence nationale de l'Aviation Civile et de la Météorologie (ANACIM), Kenya Meteorological Department Kenya Meteorological Department

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Senegal 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.

Senegal passport

Senegal passport holder visiting Kenya

Visa Free
Senegal passport holders can enter Kenya without a visa.
Kenya passport

Kenya passport holder visiting Senegal

Visa Free
Kenya passport holders can enter Senegal without a visa.

Data: 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?

Senegal performs better than Kenya across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Kenya compared to Senegal?

Senegal 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 1.3 in Senegal. Kenya scores 53 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Senegal: 50).

What's the weather like in Kenya compared to Senegal?

The average high temperature in Nairobi is 74°F, compared to 82°F in Dakar. Nairobi receives around 40.3 in of rainfall per year, while Dakar gets 14.9 in.

What language do they speak in Kenya?

The official languages in Kenya are English and Swahili. In Senegal, the official language is French.

Share this

At a Glance

SN KE
Population 17,923,036 55,864,655
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Languages French English, Swahili
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +221 +254
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 17 999