Korea Ambassador to Kenya Hyung-sik Kang, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy General Director for Asian and Pacific Affairs Jane Makori, Kenya Film Commission CEO Timothy Odhiambo Owase and Kingsway Group of Companies Executive Chairman Manish Shah, of Jane Makori, together with other officials, take part in preparing bibimbap during the 2026 K-Lifestyle in Kenya Showcase at Village Market, Nairobi, on October 4, 2026./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Korea Ambassador to Kenya Hyung-sik Kang, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy General Director for Asian and Pacific Affairs Jane Makori, Kenya Film Commission CEO Timothy Odhiambo Owase and Kingsway Group of Companies Executive Chairman Manish Shah, of Jane Makori, together with other officials, take part in preparing bibimbap during the 2026 K-Lifestyle in Kenya Showcase at Village Market, Nairobi, on October 4, 2026./DOUGLAS OKIDDYWooden spatulas in hand, dignitaries gathered around one of Korea’s best-known dishes at Village Market on Saturday as Korean food, beauty, technology and popular culture took centre stage in Nairobi.
The 2026 K-Lifestyle in Kenya Showcase, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kenya and KOTRA Nairobi, brought together more than 30 Korean companies and brands.
The event gave participating companies an opportunity to interact directly with Kenyan consumers while meeting potential importers, distributors, retailers and other business partners.
More than 10 participating companies, including Samsung and LG, already have a presence in Kenya through local branches, distribution partnerships or existing business relationships.
“Kenya is an important partner for Korea, and our relationship is increasingly being shaped not only by government cooperation, but by businesses and people discovering what we can offer each other. K-Lifestyle brings that relationship to life,” said Hyung-shik Kang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kenya.
Visitors experienced Korean cuisine through food preparation and tasting sessions, while skincare, cosmetics and beauty demonstrations offered an introduction to contemporary Korean consumer culture.
Electronics also featured prominently, showcasing a sector where Korean brands already have established consumer recognition in Kenya. K-Pop performances added a cultural backdrop to the event.
The showcase marked an expansion from the 2023 K-Food Day, which attracted more than 700 visitors. The latest edition broadened the focus to K-Food, K-Beauty and K-Electronics while placing greater emphasis on business connections.
The event also highlighted the wider economic relationship between Kenya and South Korea, including cooperation in ICT, science and technology, infrastructure and manufacturing.
“Kenya’s relationship with Korea gives us an opportunity to learn from a country that has built significant capabilities in technology and industrial innovation. For us, the conversation is about how that experience can translate into investment, skills, technology partnerships and practical opportunities for Kenyan and Korean businesses to work together,” said Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary responsible for ICT.
More than 3,000 people attended K-Lifestyle 2026, while more than 200 business-to-business and distributor engagements were recorded alongside hundreds of business enquiries.
KOTRA Nairobi also supports Korean companies seeking to enter or expand in Kenya through market research, business matching, buyer and supplier verification, B2B meetings, trade delegations and market-entry support.
The agency also connects Kenyan businesses with Korean companies, products and technologies.
The showcase demonstrated how culture and commerce can come together, creating opportunities for Kenyan consumers and businesses to engage with Korean brands while strengthening connections between the two countries.
