According to the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website, handshakes are the most common form of nonverbal greeting in Kenyan culture. Avoiding eye contact during conversation with elders and superiors is done as a sign of respect.
When having a conversation with Kenyans, they may fold their arms across their chest. This is not a sign of aloofness or shutting you out. The intent is to show that they are really tuning in to what you are saying and shutting everything else out. You can observe a pattern where Kenyans fold arms when listening and unfold when responding to the conversation.
Staring and seemingly getting in your space is not meant to be rude in Kenyan nonverbal communication. It it is done out of curiosity for something new and unfamiliar. It is not uncommon to find Kenyans, especially children, stopping to stare at foreigners or jostling each other to get a better view of unusual happenings.
