News
Twende! · Week of 23–29 September 2026
It is a busy week in the city. Three conferences are running in Westlands and along Thika Road, the theatre has a new run at the Kenya National Theatre, Karura Forest has two separate reasons to go, and the week closes with classic cars at Ngong Racecourse and the opening of the Nairobi International Trade Fair at Jamhuri Park.
Here is what we are pointing guests towards, pulled from public event listings. Times and ticketing change, so confirm with the organiser before you set off.
Midweek, 23–25 September
Africa Free Economic Zones Expo 2026
Three days on special economic zones, trade and investment across the continent. A business crowd, and a reminder that hotel rooms tighten when several expos overlap.
QS Discover Master’s & MBA Fair
Postgraduate admissions fair with international universities. Free to attend, but registration is usually required in advance.
A Boy Becomes a Man
A new run at the National Theatre on Harry Thuku Road. Worth checking show times before booking a taxi back.
4th SIAF Nairobi 2026 Conference & AGM
A three-day professional conference and annual general meeting running into the weekend.
The weekend, 26–27 September
Karura Charity Fun Run
An early start in the forest. Karura has more than 50 kilometres of trails and a waterfall, and the fun run is the easiest way to see a stretch of it with company.
Art in the Park
Art under the trees on the same day, on the other side of the forest. Easy to combine with the run if you are not too tired.
Star Gazing: A Night Under the Stars
An evening of telescopes and dark sky in the middle of the city. Bring something warm — Nairobi nights drop towards 12°C at this time of year.
Nairobi Intensive Dance Weekend
Part of the wider Nairobi Dance Camp running through to early October. Workshops rather than a show.
Africa Concours d’Elegance 2026
Kenya’s long-running classic car and motorcycle competition, at the racecourse on Ngong Road. The 2026 edition marks the 54th annual Concours. Confirm the date and gate times on concourskenya.com before you plan around it.
Monday, and the fortnight ahead
Nairobi International Trade Fair 2026
The ASK show opens Monday and runs a full week. Listed admission is KSh350 for adults and KSh300 for children, with family and school rates. Expect heavy traffic on Ngong Road for the duration.
Jamhuri Park and Ngong Racecourse are both on the Ngong Road corridor, which is the road most Karen traffic uses to reach town. During Trade Fair week, leave earlier than you think you need to, or plan your day around the morning rather than the evening.
Staying in Karen while you are here
Karen Plains Hotel sits in Karen Plains Arcade on Karen Plains Road, a few steps from The Waterfront Karen and its restaurants and supermarket. Check-in is from 12:00 and check-out is by 10:00, breakfast runs from 7:00 to 10:30, and the front desk is staffed 24 hours, so a late arrival is never a problem. Parking is free, Wi-Fi is free throughout, every room has a work desk, and a generator covers the guest rooms and the Wi-Fi when the power goes. Lunch and dinner are available together for an extra US$40 per day if you would rather not go out.
If any of this week’s events are the reason you are travelling, our conference delegate page covers what we can arrange, and Hotel in Nairobi — October 2026 looks at the month ahead.
Rooms from the team who wrote this guide.
Karen puts you on the quiet side of the Ngong Road corridor, close to the Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum and Nairobi National Park, and out of the noise when the day is done.
Check availability & book direct WhatsApp the front deskNot ready to book? Tap the chat bubble on any page and talk to Tulia, our concierge — she answers questions about rooms, transfers and what is on in Nairobi, day or night. Or see the full Book Direct page.
Event details from public listings including allevents.in and organiser announcements. Times, tickets and line-ups change — always confirm with the organiser.
More from Twende!: What’s On in Nairobi · Nairobi This Weekend · Plan Your Stay · Guest FAQs
Karen Plains Hotel · Karen Plains Arcade, Karen Plains Road, Karen, Nairobi · info@karenplainshotel.com · +254 796 989 928
