Sunrise & Sunset Times in Nairobi, KE
Today's exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Nairobi, Kenya. Plus solar noon, civil twilight, and golden hour times — calculated from Nairobi's coordinates (1.29° S, 36.82° E).
About sunrise and sunset in Nairobi
Nairobi, KE sits at 1.29° S latitude in the tropical zone. The longest day of the year here lasts about 12h 6m (around the summer solstice in December), while the shortest day shrinks to 11h 54m — a year-round swing of 0h 6m. Because Nairobi is in the western part of the Nairobi time zone, solar noon arrives roughly 147 minutes before clock noon.
Equatorial — daylight stays close to 12 hours all year. The sun rises roughly east, swinging southeast in summer and northeast in winter, and sets roughly west, swinging southwest in summer and northwest in winter. Civil twilight (the period when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon) lasts approximately 24 minutes around the equinoxes — a quick transition typical of lower latitudes.
Quick facts for Nairobi
Solar noon offset reflects Nairobi's position in its time zone — the further from the time zone's standard meridian, the further the actual midday drifts from 12:00 on the clock.
Sunrise & Sunset in Nairobi
Today's sunrise and sunset times in Nairobi, Kenya. See exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Nairobi. Updated daily.
Related
Sunrise and sunset FAQ for Nairobi
How accurate are the Nairobi sunrise and sunset times?
Times are calculated using NOAA-grade astronomical algorithms based on Nairobi's exact coordinates (-1.2921, 36.8219) and time zone (Africa/Nairobi). Accuracy is typically within 1 minute. Local horizon obstructions (mountains, tall buildings) can shift the visible sunrise/sunset by a few minutes compared to the calculated value.
How long is the longest day of the year in Nairobi?
At Nairobi's latitude of 1.29° S, the longest day stretches to about 12h 6m on the December solstice. The shortest day, on the June solstice, is around 11h 54m — a year-round swing of roughly 0h 6m.
When is golden hour in Nairobi?
Golden hour in Nairobi occurs in the ~60-minute window after sunrise and before sunset, when the sun is low (typically below 6° elevation) and light is softer and warmer. Photographers favour this window for portraits and landscapes. The exact start/end depends on the season — golden hour is shorter near the equinoxes and longer in winter when the sun travels at a shallower angle.
Do Nairobi sunrise times change with daylight saving time?
Yes. All times shown here use Nairobi's local clock, which switches between standard time and daylight saving time on the dates set by US federal law (second Sunday in March, first Sunday in November). The actual position of the sun does not change — only the clock face does. See our Daylight Saving Time guide for the next change date.
In which direction does the sun rise and set in Nairobi?
In Nairobi, the sun rises in the east, swinging southeast in summer and northeast in winter, and sets in the west, swinging southwest in summer and northwest in winter. On the equinoxes (around 20 March and 22 September), the sun rises due east and sets due west. Between those dates, the sunrise/sunset points shift along the horizon as Earth's axial tilt changes the sun's declination.
What is solar noon, and when does it happen in Nairobi?
Solar noon is the moment the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. In Nairobi, solar noon arrives roughly 147 minutes before clock noon, because Nairobi sits in the western partof its time zone. The exact offset shifts a few minutes through the year due to Earth's elliptical orbit (the "equation of time").