Where to Buy Ethernet Cable, RJ45 and Crimper in Nairobi
You can buy ethernet cable, RJ45 connectors and a crimping tool in Nairobi from three kinds of sellers: networking and CCTV suppliers in the CBD, online marketplaces such as Jumia and Jiji, and specialist networking retailers that deliver. The best choice depends on whether you need a few metres for one room or a full box for a building. If you want a ready-made tool bundle, the Network Tool Kit at Centipid Shop is one option to look at. Whichever seller you pick, the checklist below will help you avoid the usual mistakes.
What you actually need to buy
People often walk into a shop asking for "network cable" and leave with the wrong thing. For a basic wired network you need four items:
- Ethernet cable (a box, a roll or a cut length)
- RJ45 connectors (the plugs at each end)
- A crimping tool (to fix the connector onto the cable)
- A cable tester (to confirm every wire is connected)
Optional extras are RJ45 boots (the rubber covers), a wire stripper, and a punch-down tool if you will terminate cable into wall sockets or patch panels.
Where to buy in Nairobi
Physical shops in the CBD
Nairobi's CBD has many electronics and networking dealers, and this is where you can see cable and tools in person. It suits you if you need a small quantity quickly, want to compare products side by side, or want to ask a technician questions. Expect prices to vary a lot from shop to shop, so ask at two or three before buying. CCTV installers' suppliers are often a good place to find cable by the box or roll, because they work with the same cable every day.
Online marketplaces
Marketplaces such as Jumia and Jiji list a wide range of cable, connectors and crimpers from many sellers. They are convenient, but quality is mixed because the seller, not the platform, controls what is in the box. Read the listing carefully, check the seller's reviews and photos, and confirm the return terms before you pay.
Specialist networking retailers
Retailers that focus on networking gear tend to stock tools alongside routers, switches and access points, which helps if you are building a whole network. Centipid Shop sells a Network Tool Kit along with routers, access points and PoE gear, and lists prices in Kenyan shillings. Delivery is estimated at 1-2 days, and returns are accepted within 2 days of purchase, so check the product page for exactly what the kit includes before ordering.
How to choose ethernet cable
Pick the right category
Cat5e handles gigabit speeds over typical home and office runs. Cat6 gives more headroom and is a sensible choice for new installs. Choose one category and use it consistently across the job.
Check the conductor material
This is the biggest trap when buying cable. Some cheap cable is copper-clad aluminium (CCA) rather than solid copper. CCA is brittle, performs worse over distance, and is a poor choice for PoE devices. Ask the seller whether the cable is pure copper, and look for a clear marking on the jacket. If the seller cannot say, treat that as a warning.
Indoor or outdoor
Standard cable is for indoor use. If a run goes outside, along a wall in the sun or between buildings, you need outdoor-rated cable with a UV-resistant jacket. Plain indoor cable degrades quickly in sunlight.
Solid or stranded
Solid cable is for permanent runs inside walls and ceilings and is what you normally crimp for fixed installs. Stranded cable is more flexible and suits short patch leads. Do not mix them up when buying connectors, because some RJ45 plugs are made specifically for one or the other.
How to choose RJ45 connectors
- Match the connector to the cable. Cat6 cable is thicker, so use connectors designed for Cat6, which often come with an insert or a different pin layout.
- Get more than you need. Beginners usually ruin a few connectors while learning, so buy at least double the quantity you expect to use.
- Look for gold-plated contacts and a clear, solid plastic body rather than flimsy, thin plastic.
- Pass-through connectors let the wires come out the front for easier alignment, but they need a crimper built for them. Do not buy these unless your crimping tool supports them.
How to choose a crimping tool
A crimper should fit the connector type you bought. Most handle standard 8P8C RJ45 plugs, and many also cut and strip cable. Check that the jaws line up properly, the ratchet action feels firm, and the handle does not flex. A very cheap, wobbly tool is the main reason people end up with connectors that fall out or fail intermittently.
A cable tester is worth the small extra cost. It lights up each wire in sequence and shows you straight away whether a crimp is good, which saves a lot of guesswork when something does not work.
A quick crimping refresher
- Strip about 2-3 cm of the outer jacket without cutting the inner wires.
- Untwist the pairs and arrange the wires in the T568B colour order (white-orange, orange, white-green, blue, white-blue, green, white-brown, brown).
- Flatten and trim the wires evenly, leaving about 1.2 cm exposed.
- Slide them fully into the connector until each wire reaches the end.
- Crimp firmly, then test with a cable tester.
Use the same colour standard at both ends for a normal straight-through cable.
Checklist before you pay
- Is the cable pure copper? Can the seller confirm it?
- Is it the category you need (Cat5e or Cat6)?
- Is it indoor or outdoor rated?
- Do the connectors match the cable type?
- Does the crimper fit those connectors?
- Is there a return option if the cable or tool turns out faulty?
Planning beyond the cable
Cable is only part of the job. If your run feeds a wireless access point or a radio on a roof, think about how it will be powered. A PoE injector or a Ubiquiti PoE-48 adapter sends power over the same cable, which is why using genuine copper cable matters. If you are connecting several devices, a PoE switch such as the RG-ES206GS-P can power and connect them from a single point. For the router end of the network, you can browse the Mikrotik routers collection.
If your job involves fibre rather than copper, that needs different tools, so see the Fibre Tool Kit instead of a standard RJ45 crimper.
FAQ
Where can I buy ethernet cable in Nairobi?
You can buy it from electronics and networking shops in the CBD, from online marketplaces, or from specialist networking retailers that deliver. Compare at least two sellers and confirm the cable is pure copper.
Which is better, Cat5e or Cat6?
Cat5e is enough for many homes and small offices. Cat6 offers more headroom and is a good default for new installs. Use whichever you choose consistently across the job.
Do I need a special crimping tool for RJ45?
Yes. A proper RJ45 crimper presses the connector's contacts onto the wires. Make sure it matches your connector type, especially if you buy pass-through plugs.
How can I tell if cable is copper or CCA?
Ask the seller, check the markings printed on the jacket, and be wary of cable that is unusually cheap. Pure copper cable is the safer choice, especially for PoE.
Does Centipid Shop sell a network tool kit?
Yes, Centipid Shop lists a Network Tool Kit. Check the product page for what it contains. Delivery is estimated at 1-2 days, and returns are accepted within 2 days of purchase.
What else should I test after crimping?
Use a cable tester to confirm all eight wires are connected in the right order. If a link negotiates a slow speed or drops out, re-crimp the connector.