Food stalls or vibanda (kibanda in singular)” have become part of Kenya’s culture thanks to their close proximity to workplaces or schools and mostly due to their affordable meals. If you’ve never eaten in one, they are simple makeshift structures with simple benches and tables where you order meals and pay at the spot.
They are much loved in the Kenyan scene and you will see people from all walks of life visiting their favourite kibanda in the morning or lunchtime and ordering their favourite meals. However, they actually don’t operate like high end restaurants where you’re ushered to a table with a napkin shaped using origami and several pieces of cutlery for various dishes.
In vibandas, things are much simpler than that and Kenyans on Twitter started a trend today #KibandaskiCommandments which they described the various rules you are supposed to follow while in one. Here are some of them:
Don’t ask for a menu.
https://twitter.com/yahboiselfie/status/787898083594174464
#KibandaskiCommandments. Though shall not ask for menu. Uliza nini na nini uko uambiwe
— Curiosity (@jessenjai45) October 17, 2016
Kibandas are not for eating pizzas
Thou shalt not order pizza, ask where the washrooms are, or behave in a manner likely to suggest you're in Kempinski #KibandaskiCommandments
— Vexillah (@vexxillah) October 17, 2016
If you don’t pay, you’ll be added into a black list of debtors.
https://twitter.com/Jamlick_/status/787903980693315584
Thou must not exit a kibanda without a toothpick.
Thou shall always walk out with a tooth pick in mouth… hata ka wamekunywa chai na mandazi.
#KibandaskiCommandments— Billy The GOAT (@Crazy_Nairobian) October 17, 2016
Don’t order fries. We have fast food restaurants for that.
https://twitter.com/RonohKechem/status/787903330219593728
Thou must be loyal to thine kibanda.
Though shall be loyal to the kibanda all the time.No eye contact with the 'chef' from the next kibanda #KibandaskiCommandments
— Sonoek 📿 (@fabianlangat) October 17, 2016
It is customary in kibandas to ask for a sosa (named after saucer) which is a small helping to finish your meal properly
#KibandaskiCommandments ugali sosa ni haki yako
— mose_sesi (@mosesesi) October 17, 2016
Chapatis should not be priced more than Kshs 10
#KibandaskiCommandments if Chapo Exceeds 10/- vacate there asap
— Tito Maveke (@king_kazzi) October 17, 2016
Yeah don’t expect that
Do not question why the water is not from a water dispenser. You are not consuming the dispenser but the water. #KibandaskiCommandments
— Msupa M. (@Mollage_) October 17, 2016
You know…
#KibandaskiCommandments thou shall never ask for salad instead of kachumbari
— abdul (@abdul_bagana) October 17, 2016
200 kshs is a lot for a kibanda. A lot
https://twitter.com/SolomonKababu/status/787901054415413248
No glass tumblers in vibandas.
#KibandaskiCommandments thou shall only drink water using plastic cups or metallic cups. No glasses allowed. @yahboiselfie
— Tai Lung 🪐 (@manuhisme) October 17, 2016
