Buying Furniture in Kenya From Abroad: A Diaspora Guide (2026)

Thousands of Kenyans abroad furnish homes back home — a new house for themselves, a surprise for parents, or a rental unit. Doing it from London, Dubai, Houston or Doha is easier than ever, but it comes with one big risk: paying for something you can’t see. This guide shows you how to do it safely.

Written by Bobby Furniture Kenya, a furniture shop in Kahawa Sukari, Nairobi, that regularly serves customers ordering from abroad.

Step 1: Choose a shop you can verify from abroad

Before you send money, check:

• Google reviews with recent dates and real names, and a physical address on Google Maps.
• Published prices on a website, not only “DM for price”.
• The same name and phone number on the website, Google profile, Instagram and Facebook.
• That a real person replies on WhatsApp and answers questions clearly.

Step 2: See the real piece — not just a catalogue photo

Ask for:

• A short video of the exact sofa, bed or dining set, and close-ups of the fabric and legs.
• A video call from the showroom if you want to look around.
• Measurements, and whether a sofa comes in sections (important for narrow stairs).

Step 3: Get one written quote

Before paying, get on WhatsApp or email:

• Each item, its size, colour and fabric
• The total price, the delivery fee to the exact location, and assembly
• The delivery date and who will receive it

Step 4: Pay safely from abroad

• Bank transfer to the shop’s official business account works from most countries.
• Or ask family in Kenya to pay by M-Pesa for you, after you’ve confirmed the order.
• Pay to the account named in the written quote — be wary if a different number appears later.
• Never share a PIN or one-time code.

Step 5: Arrange the delivery

• Name the person who will receive it — a parent, sibling, caretaker or agent — and share their number with the shop.
• Ask them to check every piece before the delivery team leaves, and to send you photos.
• For homes outside Nairobi, confirm the delivery fee and day in advance. See delivery across Kenya.

Step 6: Plan for the climate and the house

• Choose durable, easy-clean fabrics for family homes with children and visitors — see corduroy vs velvet.
• Bed sizes in Kenya are 3×6, 4×6, 5×6 and 6×6 feet; see the bed sizes guide.
• Measure rooms and doors — or ask the person on site to send measurements.

How it works at Bobby Furniture Kenya

1. WhatsApp +254 708 156 310 from any country with what you need — product links from our site are perfect.
2. We send photos or a video of the exact pieces and confirm the total, delivery fee and date in writing.
3. You pay by bank transfer, or family in Kenya pays by M-Pesa.
4. Our team delivers, carries in and can assemble, with your family or agent receiving it.

See furniture for expats, visitors and the diaspora for package prices and delivery fees, or browse all furniture.

FAQ

Can I buy furniture in Kenya and have it delivered to my parents’ home upcountry?

Yes. Many Nairobi shops deliver countrywide. At Bobby Furniture Kenya, delivery outside our Nairobi areas is charged per kilometre and confirmed before you pay.

How do I know a Kenyan furniture seller is genuine?

Check Google reviews, a real address on Google Maps, published prices and a consistent phone number across their pages. Ask for a video of the exact piece. Read how to buy furniture online in Kenya safely.

Can I pay for furniture in Kenya with a foreign bank account?

Usually yes, by international bank transfer to the shop’s Kenyan business account. Confirm the account details in writing first.