Information on Social and Sports Clubs in Kenya

The post that follows below has been in preparation for a long time. It must be two years since I set out to do a survey on social and recreation clubs in Kenya. I took my time to gather information guided by the need to find out the most suitable club to join. I have since joined one club in the city with limited facilities, but convenient and affordable with regards to my needs. I have also started lessons in golf and I am on my third lesson in the driving range and looking forward to the day I graduate to the course.

The information I gathered is therefore being shared in the hope it is helpful in determining who, why, when, where and how to join a club for anyone who has been exploring such thoughts. I will start with a general into, but in part II will include a comprehensive catalogue of Kenyan clubs.

Who joins a club?

Only a paltry 10,000 Kenyans play golf. Maybe another 10,000 are members of social or sports clubs across the country. In a country of close to 40 million people, joining a club is deemed as a shortcut to getting you on the inside track of a select network of movers and shakers.

Why join a club?

Many people join in search of contacts to help grow in either career or business. Others join because they have attained a certain social status. Some join to bequeath their offspring with a legacy. Others join for the sheer love of sports like golf, squash, swimming, bowling, etc. Others just want a decent place to dine and wine. Still others want to be part of the discipline and order that a club culture instill in members. Yet others want cheap accommodation on the road locally and overseas at reciprocating facilities.

When to join a club

If your parents had foresight, its best to join as a junior member and graduate to a full member on attaining 21 years at no cost. What cheaper way could four people join at intervals? If you don’t come from a privileged background and wish to bequeath your children with a social network, join today and enjoy discounts for generations!

Where to join

Usually proximity to your areas of operation- residence, business or work- should be the guiding principle. If your interest is golf, then Muthaiga, Karen, Nairobi Royal, Vet Lab, Sigona, Limuru, Kiambu, Thika, Makuyu or Machakos will have to do for most Nairobi residents. Many people also join country clubs during their tours of duty and once settled back in the city, they don’t see the need to join another club- they will frequent reciprocating clubs in the city. Others choose to take up country membership in city clubs, but this limits them to one or two visits per month and no voting or representation rights. Many clubs will review reciprocation trends and strike out some clubs that seem to be draining their resources through over reciprocation by members.

How to join?

Most clubs will not allow you to just walk in. You will not even be given a hearing. A member who knows you well is expected to write recommending you to the club. Should you be accepted, you will fill a form with a proposer and seconder endorsing you. In some clubs, the endorsement of committee members is necessary. Your CV and photo will be pinned at the notice board. Cross your fingers that none of the members in the club was ever bullied by your brother in primary school or knows and doubts your integrity because all it takes is one member’s objection and you are refunded your cheque with no reference as to why your application was rejected.