I am going to give this advice not only to help the tourists but also the hard working craft people. The market moves...Sunday it is in a different place than what you see in Google so please ask your hotel or a reputable source (police officer)

When you get close to the market the trouble starts...anyone wishing to help you find the market is a "broker"....tell them "NO BROKER" and be persistent. The brokers do NOTHING but guide you around and take a profit for that service. Like I said, ignore them. Everyone is their brother or cousin. I even had one tell me that a bead bowl maker was his wife with the bead bowl maker's husband sitting beside her meshing the wire together. The brokers are harmless, but they are bullies and very persistent.

It was our last day in Nairobi and my wife wanted a bead bowl....I ignored the broker and talked straight to the lady making the bowls...they are the workers. Some of them seem scared of the brokers, but I think the men are more intimidated. I talked straight with the lady....made a deal with her and I purposely paid a little more...it was still way less than what the brokers were asking. I then looked at her TRUE husband and was going to pay him because she was busy weaving beads. He rather subtly motioned for me to give it to her. I did this and really felt like if I had given the money to her husband, maybe the broker might have bullied him out of a percent, but maybe wouldn't do it to the lady.

This was my perception and my wife's. This may not be completely accurate but very close...whatever the case....PLEASE AVOID THE BROKER...funny, Swahili word for broker is broker....they know it well. If you follow this rule, you will get a better deal and get the money into the hands of the workers who deserve it.