Many Kenyans who move to Germany are prepared for the weather and the language. But few are fully ready for the cultural differences that can be just as challenging — and just as rewarding — to navigate.

Punctuality Is Taken Very Seriously

In Kenya, “African time” is a familiar concept — arriving 30 minutes late to a meeting or social event is often normal and accepted. In Germany, this will not work. Germans are famously punctual. Being late for a job interview, a business meeting, or even a social dinner is seen as disrespectful. If you are going to be late, call ahead. Always. This cultural difference can cause real problems in the workplace if you are not aware of it.

Reserved, Not Rude

Germans have a reputation for being cold or unfriendly. Coming from Kenya, where greetings are warm and important cultural gestures, you may feel hurt when a German neighbour does not say hello in the lift or when a colleague does not make small talk. This is not personal. Germans generally keep their private and professional lives separate and take time to form friendships. Once they trust you and let you in, they are loyal, generous, and straightforward friends. Give it time.

One African student studying in Germany described this well: “Coming from a region where greeting others is a way to show respect, I initially found it challenging to accept when I greeted people and did not receive a response.” — Study in Germany community blog

Sundays Are Very Quiet

In Germany, Sunday is legally a day of rest (Sonntagsruhe). Most shops are closed. Construction is not allowed. You should not mow your lawn or vacuum loudly. This can feel very strange to Kenyans who are used to Sunday markets, outdoor gatherings, and activity. Use Sundays for rest, nature walks, or cooking. You will learn to appreciate it.

Noise Rules (Ruhezeiten)

Germany has strict quiet hours. Between 10 PM and 6 AM on weekdays, and all day on Sundays, you must keep noise to a minimum in your apartment or house. This means no loud music, no running the washing machine at midnight, and no shouting. Your neighbours can and do report violations. Be mindful of this, especially when living in an apartment block.

Food Differences

German food is quite different from Kenyan food. Bread is eaten at almost every meal — breakfast is often just bread with cheese or cold cuts, and dinner can also be a “Brotzeit” (bread time). Spices are used very sparingly in traditional German cooking, which can feel very bland to Kenyan palates used to sukuma wiki, pilau, and nyama choma.

The good news: Germany’s cities are multicultural, and you will find African grocery stores, Kenyan restaurants, and international food markets in larger cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg. You can still find uji, sukuma wiki, and most Kenyan ingredients if you know where to look.

Work Culture: Efficiency and Boundaries

Germans work hard, but they are disciplined about boundaries. When work time is over, it is over. Unlike the Kenyan working culture where staying late is sometimes expected as a sign of dedication, in Germany, leaving on time is normal and expected. Overtime is either compensated or given back as time off. Work-life balance is a serious concept here.

In the workplace, Germans tend to be very direct. They will tell you clearly if something is wrong or if your work is not good enough. This directness is not rudeness — it is honesty. As a Kenyan, who may be used to more indirect communication, this can feel harsh at first. Over time, most Kenyans come to appreciate the clarity.

Winter and Mental Health

This is something that very few people talk about enough. German winters are long, dark, and cold. In December and January, the sun may only be out for 7 to 8 hours a day, and the skies are often grey for weeks. Many people from African countries experience feelings of sadness, isolation, or low energy during the German winter. This is a real phenomenon called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Ways to cope include taking Vitamin D supplements (which many Germans use), keeping an active social life, exercising regularly, and if needed, speaking to a doctor. Do not ignore your mental health. Germany has a strong healthcare system that includes access to psychological support.

Racism and Discrimination

Germany is a diverse and largely tolerant country, but racism exists, as it does in most countries. Some Kenyans report encountering discrimination in the housing market (landlords choosing not to rent to them), in the workplace, or in everyday public spaces. Major cities like Berlin tend to be far more multicultural and accepting than smaller towns or rural areas in Eastern Germany. It is important to know this reality, to connect with the Kenyan community in Germany, and to be aware of your rights under German anti-discrimination law.