IDD service is available to the main cities. Country code: 254 (followed by 20 for Nairobi, 41 for Mombasa and 51 for Nakuru).

International calls can sometimes be made direct or operator-assisted by dialling 0196.

Public telephones work with coins or with phone cards (which may be purchased from post offices or from international call services in major towns); coin-operated phone booths are painted red, card-operated booths are painted blue.

Major hotels also offer an international phone service, but they usually charge up to 100 per cent more.

In larger towns, private telecommunication centres offer international services.

For local calls, it is useful to have plenty of small change available.