Nairobi's mix of dust, bright midday sun and heavy daily use puts upholstery through a lot, and fabric and leather respond to it very differently. Neither is the automatically "better" choice — it comes down to the room, the household, and how much upkeep you're willing to do.
Fabric is warm, comfortable, and comes in far more colours and textures, which makes it easy to match a room's design. It's more prone to dust and stains soaking in, though, especially in busier households with kids or pets, and it can fade if a sofa sits in direct sun for long stretches near a window.
Leather wipes clean in seconds and doesn't hold onto dust or odours the way fabric does, which makes it a strong option for busy living rooms and offices. It needs occasional conditioning to stop it from drying out and cracking, particularly in rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight or sit near a heat source.
If you're reupholstering rather than buying new, the existing frame and cushioning usually still work well with either material, so the decision really comes down to lifestyle. A young family with pets often does better with a durable, easy-clean leather or leatherette; a formal sitting room used mainly for guests can comfortably take a fabric that's chosen more for looks than wear.
