Big 5 Construct Kenya 2026: A Practical Guide for Visiting Exhibitors and Delegates

Big 5 Construct Kenya is East Africa's construction trade show, bringing manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and consultants together in Nairobi for three days. If you are exhibiting, visiting or sending a team, this guide covers the verified essentials and links to the rest of our planning series.

We are Karen Plains Hotel, a boutique hotel in Karen, Nairobi. We are not near the venue, and we say so plainly below. What we can offer is a quiet base, a team that handles business travellers every week, and honest advice on whether Karen suits your trip.

Big 5 Construct Kenya 2026 at a glance

• Dates: Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 October 2026
• Opening hours: 10:00 to 17:00 daily
• Venue: Sarit Expo Centre, inside the Sarit Centre in Westlands, Nairobi
• Organiser: dmg events
• Scale (organiser figures): 150+ exhibitors from 20+ countries, 9,500+ expected visitors, 25+ CPD-certified Big 5 Talks
• Entry: free for trade and industry professionals, with online registration
• Age rule: the organiser states that visitors under 21 are not admitted; students may attend the Students' Talks on day 3 only

Event details in this article were checked against the official Big 5 Construct Kenya website in September 2026. Always confirm the latest information with the organiser before you travel.

Who the show is for

The organiser describes its audience as contractors, consultants, developers, architects, engineers and government stakeholders. Product sectors include building interiors and finishes, concrete and cement, construction tools and PPE, digital construction, HVACR, heavy machinery, intelligent buildings, MEP services, metal and steel, offsite and modular construction, solar products, and windows, doors and facades.

The official exhibitor directory lets you filter by country, sector and company type, including manufacturers, distributors and companies looking for distributors. It is worth reviewing before you fly so you can book meetings in advance. We cover this in Combining Big 5 Construct Kenya with Business Meetings in Nairobi.

Key dates around the show

• Tuesday 20 October 2026 is Mashujaa Day, a Kenyan public holiday. Many offices are closed, so plan client meetings for other days.
• Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 October are the three show days.
• Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October are ideal for a rest day, a short safari or a flight home.

Our five-day Nairobi itinerary shows how to fit these together.

Getting into Kenya

Most international visitors need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for through the official portal at etakenya.go.ke. The portal advises applying at least two weeks before travel and lists accommodation confirmation among the documents requested. Citizens of East African Community states and many African countries are exempt. Check your own status on the official site. Arrival planning is covered in Planning Your Nairobi Arrival for Big 5 Construct Kenya.

Where to stay: Westlands or Karen?

Westlands puts you closest to Sarit Expo Centre. Karen is quieter and greener, and sits roughly 15 km south-west of the venue. That distance is about 20 minutes on a clear road, but much longer in morning traffic. We compare both side by side in Where to Stay for Big 5 Construct Kenya, and cover the daily journey in Staying in Karen and Attending Big 5 at Sarit.

The full Big 5 planning series

1. Where to Stay for Big 5 Construct Kenya: Karen or Westlands?
2. Booking Accommodation for Your Big 5 Exhibitor Team: A Coordinator's Checklist
3. Staying in Karen and Attending Big 5 at Sarit: Planning Your Daily Journey
4. Planning Your Nairobi Arrival for Big 5 Construct Kenya
5. How to Budget for a Big 5 Construct Kenya Business Trip
6. A Five-Day Nairobi Itinerary Around Big 5 Construct Kenya
7. What International Exhibitors Should Confirm Before Booking a Nairobi Hotel
8. Extend Your Big 5 Trip: Things to Do Around Karen
9. Combining Big 5 Construct Kenya with Business Meetings in Nairobi

Staying with us during Big 5

Karen Plains Hotel is a small boutique property at Karen Plains Arcade on Karen Road, steps from The Waterfront Karen. Every room has high-speed Wi-Fi and an en-suite bathroom, and the hotel has a 24-hour front desk, backup power and free parking. Check-in is from 12:00, check-out is by 10:00, and breakfast runs from 7:00 to 10:30, with packed breakfasts on request for early starts. Because we are small, rooms for show week are limited, so book early. See our rooms.

Planning your Big 5 stay? Check live availability and book direct, or send your dates and team size to info@karenplainshotel.com or WhatsApp +254 796 989 928. Our front desk is open 24/7.

Frequently asked questions

When is Big 5 Construct Kenya 2026?

The official website lists 21–23 October 2026, open 10:00 to 17:00 each day.

Where is Big 5 Construct Kenya held?

At Sarit Expo Centre, part of the Sarit Centre in Westlands, Nairobi.

Is Big 5 Construct Kenya free to attend?

The organiser states that admission is free for trade and industry professionals who register online. Visitors under 21 are not admitted.

How far is Karen Plains Hotel from Sarit Expo Centre?

About 15 km by road. Allow around 20–30 minutes off-peak and considerably longer in weekday morning traffic.