Masai Market

The market moves around the city on different days of the week, typically operating from 9am (they probably have all their items out at around 9:30/10) to 6pm at each location.

Tuesday: Westgate Shopping Mall in Westlands (the upper car park) relocated to Kijabe Street opposite the Norfolk Hotel
Wednesday: Capital Centre on Mombasa Road near the airport
Thursday: Nakumatt Junction Shopping Mall on Ngong Road
Friday: Village Market in Gigiri (the upper car park)
Saturday: The High Court parking lot in the city center (behind the Hilton)
Sunday: Yaya Centre in Hurlingham

Even though the one on Saturday is bigger, I actually don't like going that they because there are always hustlers that are trying to "guide" negotiate each area of the market for you. It's a bit overwhelming, especially if it your first time and every one is trying to harass you.

My favorite day is Sunday because it's closer, and I know more of the sellers theres

Standard Costs for Items

All prices are in KSH, so divide by 100 for USD.

Peter Ngomeri (0758381190): earrings, typically he will start you at 500, but usually if you buy more you can get him down to 300-400 per earrings

Brenda (0723486193): necklaces and beaded wares, the normal circular necklaces are about 450-650, but some of the more fancy beaded necklaces can go up to 5000.

Kemsa Rajab (0721413822): woven baskets, the smaller raffa baskets are about 400 each, the bigger ones go up to 1500

Wooden Spoons/salad tossers: 300 each

Peter Gathoni (0724319367): brass jewelry, 400-600 per bracelete

Wooden bowls start at 500/600 and go up to 1500 depending on size

Woven bags: medium one 1000, big ones 1300-1500

Cross body bags with dashiki on top: 500

Paintings: 2000 to 6000, depending on size

Don't buy fabric at the masai market-- instead buy it at the Nairobi Textile Market in town, about 1300 for 6 meters.

How to Pick out Kitenge Cloth

It's much easier to buy cloth in West than East Africa. However, you can buy a pretty good assortment of patterns in the Nairobi Textile markets and some places around Tanzania.

The normal swatches of cloth you see in the market, should be 6 meters of fabric. That can usually make 2-3 dresses. In Ghana and Nigeria they will sell it to you by 3 meters, but usually not in Kenya.
A reasonable price is $13 for 6 meters, but they probably will start haggling around $20-$25.
Just because it's waxed doesn't necessarily mean it's more expensive. In fact, sometimes they wax the cloth to cover thinner material.
Hold it up to the light, and make sure you can't through it.
Check if there is heavy bleeding from one edge of color to another. If there is, the dye they used is probably not good, and will fade quickly.
Use nail polish remover to take off the sticky residue from giant stickers.