At 9 PM in downtown Nairobi, a compact, lively nail parlor buzzes with activity. A cluster of young men, mostly dressed in loose-fitting jeans and worn T-shirts, lean intently over their clients’ hands. Music from Rwanda plays softly from a nearby speaker as salutations echo in Kinyarwanda. In this instant, one might momentarily mistake it for Kigali instead of Nairobi.
Many of them work as nail technicians, with a handful selling second-hand clothing and shoes who stop by just to greet everyone. A young lady enters holding a container filled with food. She quickly attends to the men; some make payments, while others respond in Kinyarwanda which causes her to laugh softly before she exits quietly.
During the two hours I spent at this nail salon getting my nails done—the service here is not only superior but also half the price compared to upscale salons—I noticed 17 young men and one woman. They all appeared to be Rwandan, Congolese, or Burundian.
If they are not inside the salon, they stand outside similar establishments along the street, hailing pedestrians: “Sister, sister—nail service?” Their accents—with their strong mix of Kinyarwanda and French tones—betray them easily.
In recent months, an increasing number of young immigrants from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, and Burundi have been migrating to Nairobi. These individuals take up low-skilled positions such as nail technicians, street vendors, second-hand clothing dealers, barbers, and massage therapists.
Evans, who is from Congo, works as a street vendor selling jewelry. For safety reasons related to immigration status, he requests that people address him solely by his first name. Speaking with a distinct Congolese accent, Evans mentions that he learned Kiswahili to better communicate with his Kenyan clientele. “These are coated… they’re really durable; they won’t lose their color,” he states, occasionally checking whether the buyer understands. He uses hand movements to demonstrate how the plating enhances the value of the earrings.
“In my country, such chances are scarce. Kenya represents greater opportunity for us. The cosmetics sector here is expanding rapidly,” he elaborates.
“Nobody looks down upon you here. It’s possible to make a decent income while picking up Kiswahili along the way. This isn’t what I would choose to be doing—but necessity compels me. My loved ones rely entirely on me.”
Arriving in Kenya back in 2010, Evans began peddling jewelry almost immediately. “Business has flourished thanks largely due to repeat buyers,” he remarks confidently.
Michael, a Rwandan nail technician, shares with many East Africans that Nairobi isn’t merely a place for tourism or shopping; it has been his saving grace. “When I arrived at age 20, my friend who had moved here previously shared insights about Nairobi. Upon arriving, I discovered he earned a livelihood crafting nails, so I joined him. He mentored me, and I needed to pick up the skills swiftly because in Nairobi your ability to survive hinges on how rapidly you master a trade. Failing to adjust means facing hunger. That’s how straightforward it is,” Michael explains to The East African.
At the age of 28, Michael has dedicated the past eight years to refining his skill in producing nails and serves over 20 clients daily.
What does he rely on? A firm hold, precision in his observations, and ambition to achieve success.
“In Rwanda, this work is considered suitable for women. However, here it helps put meals on the family plate. The wages are higher compared to what they earn back at home. Despite facing more challenges now, he manages to send some money to support his mother and siblings,” he explains.
Jackson, another Rwandan nail technician, has been in Nairobi for 10 years now and is still hustling.“Inflation has hit us hard. I do more clients, but the money doesn’t stretch. Rent, food, transport, everything has gone up. Yet clients don’t want to pay more,” he says.
But he still believes Nairobi offers better prospects than Kigali.“Women here love getting their nails done—even four times a month. That means more money. In Rwanda, there’s barely any demand for this,” he says.
Over the past decade, he has returned home just one time, as his aspiration remains a prosperous comeback. Upon visiting and witnessing the challenges his contemporaries encountered, he resolved to revisit only after achieving wealth. Currently, with his family depending on him, he continues to work in Nairobi, stating, “For now, I will stay here until I can provide for them abundantly.”
Nairobi’s offer of employment and availability of essential services make it an appealing destination for East African immigrants. However, numerous individuals work undocumented, facing constant dangers such as being exploited and harassed by law enforcement officers. “The City Council guards arrest us and put us in jail. You have to pay them—a bribe of Ksh1,000—or else you’ll spend the night in lockup,” Jackson shares.
Toby, who is also from Rwanda, has resided in Kenya for ten years and possesses a Kenyan identification card. “A decade ago, a friend invited me here. Afterward, I brought along another friend. It’s all about working hard—with no time for leisure,” he explains.
Despite a sense of belonging, he admits something still feels out of reach. “I’ve been here my whole adult life. It feels like home, but I’m still chasing something.”Asked why it is mostly men coming to Kenya to do this kind of work, he smiles and says: “Our women wouldn’t do this. They prefer staying in the house. In many cases, cultural norms dictate that women stay at home while men are the breadwinners, even if it means venturing into unconventional jobs.”Aspiring musicianWhen Frank Kayiranga aka Frankay first arrived in Kenya in 2020, he was not sure what to expect. He had been invited by a childhood friend who had already carved out a living as a nail technician in Nairobi.
However, what was intended as a brief stay evolved into an understanding that Kenya offered greater prospects than initially anticipated. “A buddy of mine suggested I come over since finding employment isn’t easy back home,” he explains. “I came for a visit and returned to Rwanda afterward. Yet, thoughts of the lifestyle I witnessed in Nairobi continued to linger—its vibrant activity, endless opportunities, and dynamic atmosphere. This prompted me to decide—to return again,” he recounts.
In January 2025, he came back with a distinct objective: to capture the affection of Kenyan people through his music.
A vocalist known for his romantic ballads, who performs at weddings and small private events, mentions that entering the music world hasn’t been simple. “However, in my hometown, performance opportunities are rare, and despite the lively nature of the local music industry, cracking through has proven challenging. When I visited Kenya, I noticed a contrasting environment with greater variety, numerous venues to showcase talent, and a community seemingly receptive to various skills. My focus is on love because it’s a global theme,” he explains.
His greatest challenge has been mastering different languages. Although he is proficient in speaking both Kinyarwanda and French, English and Kiswahili remain difficult for him. “I’m currently studying Kiswahili,” he shares with a laugh. “‘Pole pole’ (little by little) as they often say. However, I aim to acquire knowledge of multiple languages since music transcends linguistic boundaries.”
Frankay remains hopeful:
“I aspire to become a renowned musician. A close friend moved to Nairobi in 2013 and achieved success as a nail technician; an occupation considered low-status in our homeland. Despite this, he excelled at what he does. This inspires me to strive towards similar accomplishments.”
The local labor market in Kenya faces challenges due to insufficient data regarding undocumented immigrants, particularly those coming from East African nations. This situation raises concerns among economists as immigration continues to increase.
“This issue stems from fundamental WTO regulations. While promoting free trade, these agreements do not support unlimited mobility of people such that foreign workers can occupy positions within the domestic job market meant for residents,” explains Professor Samuel Nyandemo, an economist. “Such scenarios reduce available work opportunities for citizens. Additionally, measures have sometimes been implemented to restrict workforce migration from adjacent regions since this practice disrupts salary scales and decreases wages, ultimately harming local populations.”
He states that the policy ought to ensure foreigners can only take up positions where locals lack the necessary capabilities or expertise. He draws parallels with procurement guidelines, suggesting that foreign companies should secure contracts solely for major ventures—worth several billion dollars—which domestic entities are unable to manage.
Professor Nyandemo asserts that the Kenyan administration needs to intervene and enforce safeguards for the indigenous labor sector. Furthermore, he highlights that owing to issues like money laundering and inadequate regulatory frameworks, Kenya is progressively turning into a focal point for illicit economic practices. Consequently, this has spawned an unregulated underground economy that lacks transparency and long-term viability. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
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