Qibla finder / Kenya
Qibla direction from Nairobi, 7.2° north
From Nairobi, face 7.2° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 2,547 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 6.9°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 2,547 km (1,582 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 6.9°
- Magnetic declination
- 0.3° east
- City centre
- -1.2921, 36.8219
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 6.9°. That is 7.2° from true north, adjusted for the 0.3° east magnetic declination in Nairobi. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Nairobi. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is north from Nairobi
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Nairobi that path leaves heading north, at 7.2° from true north. Flat maps distort this route, so it can look wrong on a map even though it is the true direction.
A compass points to magnetic north, which in Nairobi is 0.3° east of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 6.9°, differs from the true bearing.
Someone far from Makkah faces the direction (jihah) of the Kaaba. A small turn to the left or right does not affect the prayer, and a prayer made after a genuine effort stays valid even if you later learn you were slightly off.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The stronger view is to aim at the Kaaba itself by your best effort, even from far away.
- Maliki, Hanbali
- Facing the direction is enough, as in the Hanafi school.
Qibla from cities nearby
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Mombasa | 0.3° | N |
| Zanzibar | 1.3° | N |
| Dar es Salaam | 1.2° | N |
| Mogadishu | 345.0° | NNW |
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar.
Questions
Good to know
What is the qibla direction from Nairobi?
The qibla from Nairobi is 7.2° from true north, which is north. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 6.9°.
How far is Nairobi from Makkah?
About 2,547 km (1,582 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla north from Nairobi?
The qibla follows the shortest route over the curved Earth to the Kaaba, called a great circle. On a flat map this route looks curved, so the direction can look different from what a map suggests.
How exact do I need to be?
In the Hanafi school, someone far from Makkah faces the general direction of the Kaaba. A small turn to either side does not affect the prayer. Do your best, or follow the direction of your local masjid.