How much does it really cost to live in Malindi and Watamu without working?
How much can a pensioner or someone with an annuity live on while enjoying the dolce far niente?
Through surveys and "field" experiences, we at malindikenya.net have tried to draw up 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, electricity bill 10 euro. Their diet is based on polenta and vegetables, beans and chapati, less noble parts of the meat, eggs and fruit. Shopping is strictly at the market or local shops. No television, charcoal cookers, boda-boda travel. To drink, boiled tap water, the occasional soda. Partners or neighbours who occasionally help with washing and cleaning. Mobile phone without internet.
MONTHLY COST: 350 euros

2. INTEGRATED MZUNGU
Flat in the districts 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. 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 catch Rai Italia. Movements by tuk-tuk. Drinks, sometimes South African or Chilean wine. Houseboy, smartphone with fixed rate.
MONTHLY COST: 900 euros

4. COMFORTABLE ITALIAN

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

5. NABBO

Villa in tourist residential area (Casuarina in Malindi, Ocean Breeze or 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. Saturday night casino. Houseboy, gardener, askari. Television with "premium" subscription, wi-fi internet. Own off-road vehicle, safari once a month.
MONTHLY COST: 2800 euro

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 FROM A PENSION, OR A BANK GUARANTEE OF ABOUT 20 THOUSAND EURO PER YEAR.