Half-centuries from Hamilton Masakadza, Prosper Utseya and Forster Mutizwa allowed the tourists to pile up 285-8 after opting to bat first.
Opening batsman Masakadza gave the innings a solid base with 58 from 56 balls, featuring eight fours and a six.
But seamer Nehemiah Odhiambo removed Masakadza and Malcolm Waller (0) with consecutive deliveries in the 21st over to peg back Zimbabwe at 92-4.
Sean Williams (43) and Elton Chigumbura (36) consolidated with a 65-run, fifth-wicket stand and, after both departed in quick succession, Utseya and Mutizwa wielded the long handle during the final 15 overs.
Formidable
The seventh-wicket pair added 107 from just 81 deliveries to ensure their side posted a formidable total.
Mutizwa reached 61 off 45 balls, including three sixes, before becoming Odhiambo’s (3-56) third victim in the penultimate over, while skipper Utseya finished unbeaten on 51.
Kenya’s run chase was derailed by a combination of Chigumbura’s pace and Graeme Cremer’s leg-spin as they slumped to 219 all out, despite a battling 96 not out from Alex Obanda.
Chigumbura finished with figures of 4-28 and was ably supported by Cremer, who bagged 3-34.
Number three Obanda’s 93-ball knock included seven fours and five sixes but he was left stranded agonisingly short of a maiden one-day hundred when last man Peter Ongondo (1) chipped to midwicket off Chigumbura from the final ball of the 49th over.
Zimbabwe have the opportunity to complete a series whitewash in the final game – also in Nairobi – on Wednesday. – Cricket365
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