The main venue for the World Social Forum 2007 will be the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani - about 10 km. north east of the Central Business District of Nairobi. Opening and closing ceremonies will be held at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi.

A team of professional architects and physical planners is currently developing the physical plan for the venue.

Click here to download a map of the venue (pdf).

We have added a picture gallery, where you can follow the transformation of Moi International Sports Centre into a beautiful venue for the World Social Forum 2007 event. You can access the picture gallery here.

If you are interested in seeing some of the venue facilities from the inside, you can take a virtual tour of the Sports Centre.

You can check the google map of the Kasarani venue
You can check the google map of Uhuru Park

Getting to Nairobi

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is the main international airport. It is situated some 12 km from the Central Business District of Nairobi. Taxis are readily available, but it is important to establish the fare before start of the journey since Nairobi taxis are not fitted with meters. The average taxi fare from the airport to the city centre is around Kenya Shillings (KSh) 1,000 (equivalent to ca. US$ 16). There are a number of branded taxis (e.g. Kenatco, Dial-a-cab, Jatco Taxis, Kay Cabs etc.) which have fixed rates and use cleaner and better maintained vehicles. Most of hotels have their own shuttle transport. The other international airports are Mombasa (Moi International Airport ) and Eldoret.

Lost Luggage
There is a very efficient lost luggage tracking system at JKIA. Should you lose your luggage during the flight, please report to lost luggage desk at the Baggage Hall before going through customs.

Getting Around

Car Hire
Most international car hire companies operate in Kenya (with offices at the airport) in addition to a growing number of local firms. Vehicles are driven on the left hand side of the road and most cars are right-hand drive. A valid driving licence is accepted up to a period of three (3) months’ stay.

Public Transport
City buses operate at reasonably low rates. The most reliable one is City Hoppa. Fares are paid inside the buses to the conductor. Visitors are however advised to avoid rush hours as most transport is overloaded. Private minibuses, known as matatus, are abundant but more often than not overcrowded, with many drivers and conductors less courteous.

1. Health

Hospitals
Nairobi has some of the best hospitals in Eastern and Central Africa offering casualty service as well as in-patient services

Medical expenses
Most hospitals accept medical insurance cover from international medical insurers. For those not recognised, one might need to pay for consultations and treatment and the cost claimed later.

Emergency services
Most health facilities offer 24-hour emergency services. Please ring 911 in case of emergency.

Flying Doctor
There exist Fying doctor services for air rescue and evacuations (Tel: 315454/315455 or mobile: 0722314239/0733639088)

2. Communication

Payphone
Public payphones use special cards or coins (not credit cards). Phone cards may be bought from Telkom Kenya and Post Offices or international call offices. International calls can be dialled direct (Code 000 + Country Code + City code + Number) or operator assisted (0195/6). Hotel phones are usually charged double the payphone rate or more.

Mobile phones
Use either Safaricom or Celtel. Both have extensive roaming arrangements worldwide. Pay as Go SIM cards are readily available.

Internet
Most hotels have internet services in their rooms, in addition to business centres within the hotels. E-mails can be sent from most hotels, as can faxes and telexes. In addition, there are very many cyber cafes within Nairobi 's Central Business District.

Postal services
Post Offices open from 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 9.00 a.m. - 12 noon on Saturdays. Postage stamps can be bought from post offices, stationers, souvenir shops and hotels.

3. Money and finance

Currency
The Kenyan currency is the Shilling (KSh. or Sh.), divided into 100 cents.

• coins - 50 cents, KSh 1, KSh 5, KSh 10, KSh 20 and KSh 40
• notes - KSh 50, KSh 100, KSh 200, KSh 500 and KSh 1,000.
  

Exchange regulations
There are no restrictions on moving currency into or outside the country. Currency can be changed at any commercial bank, the many forex bureaux that dot Nairobi and other major towns or hotels. As at the time of compiling this fact sheet, the following rates of exchange applied:

• US$ 1 = KSh. 72
  
• UK£ 1 = KSh. 125
  
• € 1 = KSh 85.50
  

Banking
Most banks in major centres open from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. the first and last Saturday of the month (some banks open longer and every Saturday). Some banks and forex bureaux at the airports stay open 24/7.

ATMs
You can access your account at any of the hundreds of ATMs in the city of Nairobi , most of which accept international VISA credit and debit cards. Master Card is also accepted by a growing number of ATMs.

Credit Cards
All major cards are accepted.

Hotel bill payment
Hotel bills can be settled in local or convertible foreign currency.

4. Other

Voltage
Kenya uses 240 volts AC. The plug in use throughout the country is of the three square pin, 13 amp type (UK system)

Restaurants
Most hotels operate more than one restaurant, specialising in different cuisines. Besides, there are many restaurants specialising in different geo-cultural tastes, e.g. Indian Cuisine, Chinese, Lebanese, Ethiopian etc. Some restaurants specialise in game meat while others are vegetarian. Your stay in Nairobi is not complete without a nyama choma outing (informal meat roasting adventures).

Security
As a precaution, it is sensible not walk less than three people in isolated streets, particularly after dark. Excessive jewellery might also attract muggers.

Water
The water in most city hotels is usually safe for drinking. However, if in doubt, bottled water is available.

Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory, though highly appreciated. If you have to, consider about 10% of the service cost reasonable.