Overalls with reflectors, reflector jackets and gumboots
Ask a Nairobi site manager for a PPE list and it usually starts the same way: overalls with reflectors, reflector jackets, safety boots and gumboots. Kenyan demand comes from building and road work around Nairobi, factories in Athi River and the export processing zones, port and logistics work in Mombasa, and farms and agro-processing around Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu. We ship to all of these from Dubai through Border Africa.
For reflective overalls, the Aurex Coverall BAC 2010 is 100% cotton at 270 GSM with 2 inch reflective tape in six places, a heavier fabric that holds up on concrete and steel work. The Topsafe Exxelo TEC 2005 is a lighter 220 GSM option, also with tape in six positions. Browse all overalls and coveralls.
Reflector jackets go out by the carton. The BSVF 1800 safety vest is 100 GSM polyester with a 2 inch double reflective band, sizes S to 5XL, in fluorescent orange or green. For hot afternoons in Mombasa, mesh vests breathe better. See safety vests.
Gumboots and safety boots
Our PVC Gumboot BFP 2900 is oil, acid and alkali resistant with an anti-slip, antistatic sole. It has no toe cap, so it suits farms, wash-down areas and wet floors, not sites where falling objects are a risk. For those, choose an S3 boot like the Protex BFP 2018, with a 200 J steel toe cap and steel midsole. All options are under safety shoes.
PPE by sector in Kenya
| Sector | Typical PPE | Standard to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Building and roads, Nairobi | Reflective overalls, S1P or S3 boots, helmets, harnesses | EN ISO 20345, EN 397, EN 361 |
| Cement, quarries and factories, Athi River | Coveralls, N95 or KN95 masks, coated gloves | EN 388 for gloves |
| Port and logistics, Mombasa | Reflector jackets, safety boots, helmets | EN ISO 20471 or EN 471 |
| Farms and agro-processing | Gumboots, latex coated gloves, overalls | Chemical resistance on the datasheet |
| Power and welding work | FR coveralls, welding gloves, helmets | EN ISO 11612, EN ISO 11611 |
For welding and electrical crews, the Firexe FR Coverall BFRC 0950 is 100% FR cotton at 210-220 GSM, certified to EN ISO 11611 and EN ISO 11612, in sizes up to 7XL. For head protection, the BSH 1220 pin-lock helmet comes in seven colours and meets EN 397:2000 and ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014. Masks are in respiratory protection, gloves in safety gloves and harnesses in fall protection.
Mombasa first, then up the Northern Corridor
Sea freight from Jebel Ali to Mombasa is one of the shorter Africa routes, typically around two weeks port to port, with the exact sailing confirmed by your forwarder. From Mombasa, goods move to Nairobi and Athi River by rail or road, and on to Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu by road. Urgent smaller orders can go by air to Nairobi.
A lot of Kenyan traders sell part of each container on to Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. If some of your goods are going on to Kampala, Kigali or Juba, tell us when you ask for the quote so the invoice and packing list are laid out the way your clearing agent needs.
KEBS PVoC and the import papers
Kenya checks many imported products before they leave the origin country under the Kenya Bureau of Standards PVoC programme, and an appointed inspection body issues the Certificate of Conformity. Your clearing agent confirms which of your lines need it. From our side you get a commercial invoice and packing list, a certificate of origin, and whichever test reports and datasheets the inspection body asks to see.
Ordering from Dubai
- Quotation: send your list with sizes and quantities by WhatsApp or email.
- Proforma invoice: issued once you confirm the quotation.
- Payment: made as agreed for the order.
- Dispatch: by sea from Jebel Ali or by air, with mixed products in one container if you need them.
Stockists in Kenya and East Africa
If you run a PPE shop in Nairobi's Industrial Area or Mombasa, or supply contractors across East Africa, we would like to talk about stocking the Border, BSW and Topsafe ranges. Use the distributor form on Border Africa. Our other Africa pages cover Tanzania, Nigeria and Ghana. For Kenya orders, call or WhatsApp the Border Africa desk on +971 54 446 7693 or email africa@borderppe.ae.