How much does it really cost to live in Malindi and Watamu without working?
How much can a pensioner or someone who has an income live on while savouring the dolce far niente?
Considering the overwhelming return of the desire to "change life" and the growing resentment of Italy, we at malindikenya.net have updated the studies done at the time and the experiences "in the field", and compiled five categories of "typical" compatriots, residents or semi-residents. These costs are net of some advisable precautions, such as health insurance that covers transport to a private hospital and at least 10 thousand euros in expenses for initial treatment (average price around 500 euros per year).
Here are the results, updated to March 2021:

1.  AFRICANISED
Flat in the local poor districts (Ngala 4, Muyeye or Mtangani in Malindi, Timboni in Watamu) from 60/70 euro per month (room, living room, bathroom and kitchen), electricity bill about 10 euro. Diet based on polenta and vegetables, beans and chapati, less noble parts of the meat, eggs and fruit. Expenditure is strictly at the market or local shops, no imported products and Italian food. No television, or at least no decoder or satellite dish, charcoal cookers and boda-boda travel. To drink, boiled tap water and the occasional "soda". Partners or neighbours who occasionally help with washing and cleaning. Simple mobile phone or smartphone, paying close attention to the cheapest rates for calling with whatsapp.
MONTHLY COST: 350 euro

2. INTEGRATED MZUNGU
Flat in the neighborhoods of the small local bourgeoisie (Majengo, Central, Shella in Malindi, Kilifi Town, Mtwapa) 120/150 euro per month, electricity bill 15 euro, water 5 euro.
Food in local restaurants (average price 3 euro per meal) or rice, vegetables, meat and non-noble fish (taffi, kumbu), fruit. Shopping at the market or local shops, no imported products. Gas cooker. Television with local channels, travel also by tuk-tuk. Drinks: cheap mineral water, a soda and a beer now and then. Houseboy occasionally for washing and cleaning. Smartphone with attention to cheap internet rates.
MONTHLY COST 650 euro

3.  EUROPEAN SAVER

Flat or portion of a small villa in a residence (200 to 300 euros per month, with bills of around 50 euros), spending on food, even imported food (occasionally cold cuts, cheese), familiar vegetables: aubergines, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach. Shopping in Indian supermarkets and in small fruit and vegetable shops where they speak Italian. Dinners in decent African restaurants and once a week an Italian pizza. Gas cooker. Television with decoder to take Rai Italia as well. Movements by tuk-tuk. To drink, sometimes South African or Chilean wine or the offers of Italian importers. Houseboy, smartphone with fixed rate.
MONTHLY COST: 900 euros

4. COMFORTABLE ITALIAN

Independent villa with swimming pool for rent (500/600 euro per month, electricity 200 euro, water 50), varied diet (fish, meat, shellfish, Italian products, wine), television with Rai Italia subscription, internet wi-fi, dinners in good Italian restaurants, days on organised beaches such as Rosada or Malaika Beach in Malindi and Paparemo in Watamu. Purchase of a car, preferably a Japanese one, for transfers. Houseboy and security service.
MONTHLY COST: 1600 euro

5. NABBO

Villa in tourist residential area (Casuarina in Malindi, Ocean Breeze, centre in Watamu), purchased, with swimming pool. Diet of fish, shellfish, fillet of meat, non-native vegetables (artichokes, asparagus, fennel, etc.), fish, cold cuts, imported Italian products, Italian wines. Shopping in supermarkets, preferably western ones, dinners in good restaurants two or three times a week, dinners at home with guests and parties. Almost daily days at the beach in bathing establishments and evenings in clubs or at the casino. Houseboy, gardener, askari. Television with "premium" subscription, wi-fi internet. Own off-road vehicle, safari when you feel like it.
MONTHLY COST: 2800 euros

THE COSTS ARE NET OF MEDICINES, ORDINARY HEALTH CARE, EXPENSIVE VICES AND POSSIBLE LOCAL PARTNER.
IN THE MONTHLY BUDGET YOU HAVE TO CALCULATE ALSO A TRIP TO ITALY (OR ABROAD, AT LEAST IN ETHIOPIA, AND WITH A MINIMUM DURATION OF 5 DAYS) TO RENEW THE TOURIST VISA. 
OTHERWISE THE RESIDENT PERMIT COSTS 1000 EURO PER YEAR WITH A 3 YEARS ADVANCE, PROVING THE INCOME OF A PENSION, OR A BANK GUARANTEE OF ABOUT 20 THOUSAND EURO PER YEAR.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)