Volunteer

You need a eTA to enter Kenya. You must apply for an eTA online before you travel.  

For more information on eTA and different types of visas see the website of the Kenya High Commission. 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Kenya. Make sure you have two blank pages in your passport on arrival. 

Carry a pen to complete the arrivals form at Nairobi airport.

Nairobi Kenyatta International Airport’ – NBO is where you need to fly into. 

Sometimes volunteers like to bring resources such as second hand books, toys and other educational items for the school.  It is possible to take an extra piece of luggage by contacting your airline to say that you are volunteering.  Make sure you keep their confirmation letter with your passport and airline ticket so you have proof of permission.

​Please feel free to email for our 'wish' list of items needed at school. 

Bus  - Buses from Kenyatta Airport to Nairobi City Centre run up to 6pm and take approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic.  The fare is approx 100 shillings.  From the Nairobi City Centre you will need to make your way to the far end of River Road where you can pick up a bus to Murang'a Town.  The fare is between 350 and 450 shillings and the journey takes approximately 1 and a half hours.   It is recommended to use MTN or Muranga shuttle only.

Taxi -  We can arrange for a local taxi to pick you up from the airport and bring you to the school.  The cost is around 6,500 shillings and takes approximately 2 hours. 

Roko 20 is located in the Central Highlands of Kenya in a small village called Kambirwa which is 6kms from the main town of Murang'a.  

Murang’a Town has a population of around 11,000.  It is a busy town with two supermarkets, a number of internet 'cafes', small shops, banks, a post office, a public hospital, and twice weekly, a bustling market. 

​There are many hotels and small restaurants/cafes.  In particular there are two good hotels with small pools and each has a decent enough restaurant where you might also buy a cold beer. 

Accommodation

Accommodation can be provided at the school, it has limited cooking facilities, a flush toilet and electric shower.

Food

For a small charge of 5 euro per day volunteers are provided at school with a traditional Kenyan breakfast, mid-morning snack and lunch.  

• Breakfast – Tea and boiled sweet potato  

• Mid-morning snack - Porridge

• Lunch – three options Githeri, Ugali and cabbage or rice and beans

Transport

​A bike taxi or “boda boda” from school to Murang’a Mukuyu market costs around 150 shillings.  From there you can take a bus “matatu” into town for 50 shillings.  A boda boda to Murang’a town costs 200 shillings.   Return charges may cost a little more.

​MPESA is most widely used but you may pay with cash, the larger supermarkets in town also take credit cards.  You are best to register for MPESA at a Safaricom Service Centre in Nairobi using your passport before coming to Murang'a, you will be given a Safaricom SIM which can be used for calls, SMS, internet data and topped up with cash to make payments.   

Topping up you MPESA balance can be done using Western Union or Remitly websites linked to your bank or credit card.  

Cash in low dominations like 500 shillings or less is best, some ATM's dispense 1000 shilling notes only which can make paying problematic at times.  

You will need to bring enough funds for your own food in the evenings and at weekends.  Money for transportation and any additional costs such as souvenirs, accommodation and travel expenses on days off, activities, etc. 

If you eat like the locals cooking dishes made from beans, rice, maize, fruit and vegetables and a little meat you can eat well on less than 200 shillings per day.  Western style food is available in supermarkets but more expensive. 

ATMs are accessible at banks in many cities and towns including Nairobi and Murang’a.  Withdrawing money on your ATM or credit card at one of the banks in Murang’a seems to be the easiest and quickest way to get money.  Check with your bank at home to see whether your card can be used for international withdrawals.  

For security, please do not carry a lot of cash.  

Before you leave, photocopy all personal identification (bank cards, passport, immunization records, etc) keep one copy with you and one copy with someone at home. 

​It is also a good idea to inform your Credit Card Company of your travel plans so that charges made to your card will not be questioned or assumed fraudulent. The local currency is the Kenyan Shilling (Kes). 

The school has wifi available which is suitable email, web browsing and services like Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger.

For outside the school if you have 4G or 5G on your phone you will be able to connect to internet if you buy a Safaricom SIM card.   Obtaining a Safaricom SIM is best done in Nairobi, you need your passport as ID and can also get MPESA for making payments.  Safaricom has the best coverage in Murang'a area.

There are many internet cafes around the town. 

Each volunteer is responsible for their own time management, and the completion of all projects assigned to them.  Your daily schedule will depend upon your volunteer placement and the needs of Roko 20 Academy.

The school day starts at 7.20am and finishes at 3.20pm. 

At 10.30 we stop for a break-time cup of local porridge.  Lunch is served at 12.30.  Lessons resume at 2.00pm until 3.20pm.  The school bus departs at 4.30pm.   

Yes.  There is always the option to attend a special program such as the Elderly Ladies Group Meeting which is held on a Saturday afternoon, once a month. 

There are several forms of transportation in Kenya. Moving from city to city, you can take a matatu (available to most all destinations).  Matatus are minibuses that fit anywhere from 15 to 20 people.  Keep in mind that there is not much room for large luggage on matatus, and you will need to get used to sharing your ‘personal space’.  It is not advisable to travel late at night.

People usually use motorbikes (boda-boda) to move for short distances. Prices for boda-bodas must be negotiated before the journey while matatus and buses have set prices.  Boda-bodas cost 50 Kes between the school and Murang'a town. 

There is a lot to see in Kenya and travelling around is easy by matatu.  However should you require an organised trip then you will need to use one of the travel companies which are mainly concentrated in Nairobi. Roko 20 does not have the resources to organise trips however we can provide you with the number for a travel agent or a driver but please bear in mind that bookings may not be as quick or simple as it is back home. 

Travelling around Kenya by matatu is inexpensive and a journey of 90 kilometres costs just 200 shillings. 

The Kenyan diet is heavy, with cooked meals for lunch and dinner.  School lunches will include Ugali (ground cooked maize flour boiled with water) with cabbage, rice and beans with cabbage, and Githeri (beans and maize stew).  

In the volunteer accomodation there is gas stove and kettle plus a few utensils if one wants to make his or her own food. 

Generally, Kenyan food is vegetarian-friendly.  Beans, vegetables, and greens are common.   

You can find almost everything that you need in Murang'a. However, if you are particular about your hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioner, and cosmetics we suggest you bring enough for the duration of your stay.  If you like coffee we suggest bringing your favorite brand.   

Longer placements are preferred in order to build good relationships with pupils and staff.  Volunteers who are able to make a minimum commitment of three months will be given priority. 

Present day in Kenya is reasonably safe. That being said, like any other country crime does occur and is more common in larger cities. Be smart and take the proper precautions.  Generally, people look after one another and in Kambirwa and Murang'a, since you will be a new face, people will be making sure you are comfortable and safe. 

The wettest months, known as the 'long rains,' are in late-March until May.  There is also another second rainy season called the 'short rains' for a few weeks mid-November and early December. 

The cool season is from late-June to early August and gets much less rain.

The dry seasons in Kenya are generally from late-June to October and from December to late March with the hottest months being September and December through to February. 

Immunization is entirely up to the individual. Most doctors will recommend Malaria, Yellow Fever and a few others. Contact your GP regarding the current Health Department recommendations. 

These should include:

Hepatitis A – Recommended for all travelers.

Typhoid – Recommended for all travelers.

Yellow fever – Recommended for all travelers greater than nine months of age (carry the Immunisation Certificate with you upon entry)

Polio – One-time booster recommended for any adult traveler who completed the childhood series but has not had a polio vaccine as an adult.

Hepatitis B – For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months.

Rabies – For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given.

Tetanus-diphtheria – Re-vaccination recommended every 10 years. 

The key to staying healthy abroad is taking care of yourself and listening to your body.  We strongly recommend you consult your local travel clinic prior to arrival in relation to vaccinations and medications required.  Malaria is a serious health concern (but not common in this area) and most people choose to take anti-malarial medication.   

Some helpful tips to avoid those pesky parasitic infections:

• Be sure to drink only boiled water and wash fruits and vegetables well.

• Though it may be tempting to play football with the children barefeet, don’t take the risk! Always wear shoes or sandals and wash your feet well at the end of the day.

• Always wash your hands well and carry sanitizer for when water and soap are not available

• Always use a mosquito net.

• Make sure your diet includes plenty of probiotics (ie yogurt) and vitamins to help boost your immune system.

If you do fall ill while in Kenya, there are plenty of local clinics in and around Murang’a.  Murang'a has one public hospital and many private, smaller hospitals.  Consultations, lab tests and even prescriptions in Kenya are all very cheap. 

​Yes, it is recommended and uploading proof maybe required when applying for an eTA.   

Before you depart, please check with your health insurance provider to make sure it will cover you (and what it will cover) while you are abroad.  If not, purchase a travel insurance package for the duration of your trip. 

​There is no need to pack too many clothes as you end up wearing the same thing most of the time.  You will need a waterproof jacket during the short and long rainy seasons and perhaps a pair of wellies.

We are near the Equator and approximately 4,000 ft altitude.  Early mornings and after sunset can be a bit chilly depending on the season.  You do not need to bring bedding. 

Generally Kenyans love visitors from overseas and are friendly, polite and hospitable.  You may be welcomed into their home for lunch or dinner.   It is traditional to take something small with you such as a bag of flour, sugar, rice, bread, margarine, juice or fruit.  

English is the official language and is spoken widely in Kenya. Most students begin learning English early in primary school.  Swahili is spoken all over the country but Kenya boasts over 40 local languages.  Swahili is spoken in Murang’a but the local language, called Kikuyu, is the most used in Murang’a.  We encourage you to learn some Kikuyu or Swahili words but you won’t have difficulties communicating in English here.