When the Far East calls: Kenyans skipping Dubai for Singapore and Malaysia

Now, a quiet revolution is brewing, championed by a new generation of informed and budget-savvy young Kenyans who are discovering the unparalleled value and rich experiences that the Far East has to offer.

What could be drawing the intrepid youth to this distant continent? The answer, as gathered from recent conversations with some trailblazers, is a compelling cocktail of accessibility, affordability, and an abundance of novel experiences.

Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines top the list of new destinations receiving young Kenyans in droves. Many are curators of their travel—they plan, pack, and go.

Months of research go into the planning stage to get that unforgettable experience. And when they return, they carry with them not just suitcases and souvenirs, but everlasting memories and the satisfaction of exploring new destinations.

Their biggest why

If you ask Muchina Malomba, a 31-year-old radio presenter with an appetite for solo travel, he’ll tell you that his decision to visit Southeast Asia was equal parts curiosity and strategy.

“I’ve always wanted to see the world,” he says. “But with only 21 leave days and a modest travel budget, I had to plan smart.”

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In March this year, he took a trip that stitched together three countries—Qatar (24-hour layover), Singapore, and Malaysia. What made the decision easier was something many Kenyan travellers overlook – visa policies. Both Singapore and Malaysia allow Kenyans visa-free access.

“That was a game-changer,” he explains. “It opened doors that would otherwise require tedious embassy visits and paperwork. I also saved money,” says the self-proclaimed foodie.

For Vyonna Bosibori, a 28-year-old banker and budding content creator, the story began with a plan to go to Dubai, but she was delayed by flight costs and visa processes.

“We looked around and discovered AirAsia had direct flights to Kuala Lumpur,” she recalls. “The tickets were affordable, no visa was needed, and the reviews about Malaysia were glowing,” says Vyonna.

It didn’t take much convincing. Vyonna and three of her colleagues packed light, plotted a seven-day itinerary, and set off for a new experience in March this year.

“It turned out to be the best trip I’ve ever taken,” she says.

Irene “Rheen” Ojiambo, 29, is the founder of Discoverheen, a boutique travel agency that’s fast becoming the go-to for young professionals looking to travel smart. The journey to Asia boosted her business.

“I needed to understand Southeast Asia firsthand so I could advise clients better.” She travelled across Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines—a month of hopping from country to country. And what she found was far more than scenic destinations.

“It wasn’t about ticking places off a bucket list,” she says. “It was about understanding how safe I felt as a woman, how people treated strangers, and how easy it was to move around.

“In Malaysia, I could walk alone at 2am without fear. I could wear what I wanted. No catcalls whatsoever.” That—more than any temple or skyscraper—was the moment she knew Southeast Asia was special.

Dismantling misconceptions

One of the biggest misconceptions young Kenyans carry is that you need to be rich to travel abroad. But the experiences of Muchina, Rheen, and Vyonna disprove this notion.

“We did a comprehensive Malaysia tour. We visited two cities and took in-country flights. The cost was less than Sh150,000, which covered air tickets, food, accommodation, fun activities, and internal transport,” says Vyonna.

They took advantage of AirAsia’s budget travel model, which came with some trade-offs—no in-flight meals and only seven kilograms of carry-on luggage, but the savings were significant.

“A return ticket cost us Sh60,000,” she notes. The group split their stay between Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, a coastal paradise known for turquoise waters and duty-free shopping. They found pristine Airbnbs at Sh25,000 for three nights—a two-bedroom apartment with rooftop views.

“Back in Nairobi, that same apartment would cost that much for a single night,” Vyonna chuckles. For activities, they spent modestly but intentionally. “In Langkawi, we did five water activities—parasailing, jet skiing, speed boat rides—for just Sh6,500,” she says. “In Kenya, that would cost at least Sh20,000.”

Rheen is shy to put figures to the activities as this is her bread and butter. “If I went on sharing such things, would I be running a business?” She poses. Muchina, a frequent backpacker, doesn’t mind sleeping in what he calls a ‘decent accommodation facility’.

“I can sleep on a bunk bed as long as I can sleep through the night.”

As an experienced traveller, he opines that sleeping should not be a major part of an adventurous trip.

“You could pay for rooms in very expensive hotels and end up spending just a few hours each day in bed. What does that add to your experience?”

Muchina admits to spending up to Sh100,000 on activities alone.

Affordability is a major factor pulling Kenyan tourists to the Far East, but that’s not the only reason these countries are capturing Kenyan hearts. On Asian soil, the activities on offer are as diverse as they are captivating.

Urban explorers will find themselves immersed in vibrant cityscapes. Kuala Lumpur's Bukit Bintang district, for instance, is a sensory feast. Vyonna describes it as "the Malaysian equivalent of Times Square”. It is busy and vibrant with street performances, high-end stores, food stalls — you feel alive there."

Muchina, too, was enthralled by Bukit Bintang, noting its lively atmosphere with restaurants and street performances. He also ventured up the iconic Petronas Twin Towers to the 86th floor, an "amazing" experience with breathtaking views. “Southeast Asia is a feast for the senses,” Muchina says.

For him, Malaysia presented more than aesthetics. It offered a luxurious experience. Besides Bukit Bintang, he visited the Petronas Twin Towers, explored the Batu Caves, and still found time to eat like a king.

“I’m such a foodie,” he laughs. “The street food scene is incredible. I still dream of the shawarma I had in Bukit Bintang.”

Singapore, by contrast, was an urban marvel. “It is unbelievably clean. No chewing gum. Everything runs like clockwork,” he recalls.

For those with a penchant for culture and history, Asia offers an unparalleled journey. Muchina, who admits he loves "travelling to places that have a strong culture," found Malaysia to be rich in this regard, with its diverse Asian influences.

He visited the serene Tian Hu Temple, a Buddhist sanctuary, a memorable experience he undertook in the quiet morning hours. And for the inner child in all of us, theme parks are a major draw. Muchina raves about his time at Universal Studios, both in Singapore and Malaysia, describing the experience as "just so amazing" and feeling "like a child."

Smart planning

All three travellers emphasise on the importance of travel platforms like Google, TikTok, Reddit, blogs—anything that gives you real-time, user-based intel is a goldmine. But Rheen is quick to warn that planning doesn’t mean rigidity.

“You’ll get there and realise your itinerary doesn’t match reality. That’s fine. Adjust. For group travel, Rheen recommends using apps like Splitwise to manage shared expenses.

“No awkward conversations about who owes who what,” Rheen explains. “You enter the cost, split it, and the app does the math.” And if the planning feels too overwhelming? Hire someone. “That’s why I exist,” Rheen smiles. “You let me sweat the logistics—you just show up.”

Beyond the planned activities, Rheen and Vyonna have been left in awe at how safe Asia is, especially for women.

“In Nairobi, I walk with keys between my fingers, ready for anything. In Kuala Lumpur, I could walk freely.”

There is a kind of freedom that comes from not feeling watched, judged, or unsafe.

“I didn’t have to think about how I dressed. I didn’t have to fake phone calls to escape harassment. I just existed.”

Vyonna agrees. “It was peaceful. For once, I wasn’t defending my presence in a space.” These experiences aren’t just bonus features. For women—especially solo travellers—they can be the reason to choose one destination over another.

Muchina was struck by the order and cleanliness, particularly in Singapore. He also highlighted the strict adherence to rules, such as the ban on chewing gum, a detail he diligently researched beforehand. The efficiency of public transportation also left a lasting impression.

What’s continental travel without experiencing culture through food? For the three travellers, every city tells its story through food and Southeast Asia tells volumes.

“Food in Malaysia and Singapore isn’t just delicious, it’s democratic,” says Muchina. “You can eat like royalty for Sh300.”

Muchina, Vyonna and Rheen mention street stalls where you can try local delicacies like nasi lemak, roti canai, fried squid, satays, dumplings, and more. All hot, fresh, and shockingly cheap. Beyond food, there’s no language barrier in Malaysia or Singapore, although Vietnam was a bit of a challenge.

“In Vietnam, the taxi drivers had translation apps ready,” Rheen says. “You just pass the phone back and forth.” This adaptability made even the most foreign places feel welcoming.

While these experiences remain deeply personal, they are also widely shareable, leading to the question, why should young Kenyans make Asia their next travel frontier? The message is clear: It is an educational, enriching, and ultimately accessible adventure.

“First, it broadens horizons without breaking the bank. You don't have to be rich to travel. Just informed". With careful planning, a seven-day trip to Malaysia, including flights, accommodation, food, and activities, can be done for as little as Sh150,000.” says Rheen.

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