Nairobi Matatu Route 23 connects Nairobi CBD with Kangemi through Westlands and Waiyaki Way. It is one of the established western Nairobi commuter routes and is useful for passengers travelling towards Westlands, ABC Place, Safaricom House and Kangemi. Current transit data also identifies the service as 23KG, operating from Odeon to Kangemi Terminus.

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Route 23 is particularly useful for commuters travelling along the western side of Nairobi who do not need to continue as far as Uthiru, Kinoo or Kikuyu.

Route 23 Quick Information

Route Number: 23
Route: Nairobi CBD – Kangemi
Origin: Nairobi CBD
Main Destination: Kangemi
Main Corridor: Waiyaki Way
Key Areas Served: Westlands, ABC Place, Safaricom House, Kangemi
CBD Boarding Area: Odeon / Latema Road off Tom Mboya Street
Terminus: Kangemi Terminus
Return Direction: Kangemi – Nairobi CBD

Where to Board Route 23 in Nairobi CBD

Route 23 matatus to Kangemi are associated with the Odeon / Latema Road area off Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi CBD. Historical stage records identify Latema Road near the former Odeon Cinema as a boarding point for matatus heading towards Westlands, Kangemi and other western Nairobi destinations.

Current Route 23KG data also lists Odeon as the departure point for the Kangemi service.

Passengers should look for vehicles displaying:

23 – KANGEMI

or the current Route 23KG designation.

CBD loading arrangements can change, so commuters should confirm the exact loading point before boarding.

Route 23 from Nairobi CBD to Kangemi

The Route 23 journey follows Nairobi’s western commuter corridor.

A simplified journey can be understood as:

Nairobi CBD → Westlands → Waiyaki Way → ABC Place → Safaricom House area → Kangemi

The route therefore serves passengers travelling both to Kangemi and to major commercial and employment areas along Waiyaki Way. Route listings consistently associate Route 23 with Kangemi, Westlands, ABC Place and Safaricom House.

Major Route 23 Stops and Areas Served

Westlands

Westlands is one of the most important areas served by Route 23.

Westlands is a major commercial, residential and entertainment district and provides numerous connections to other routes serving Parklands, Riverside, Waiyaki Way and surrounding areas.

Passengers travelling only as far as Westlands can use Route 23, although many other public transport services also serve the area.

Waiyaki Way

Waiyaki Way is the main corridor used by Route 23 after Westlands.

The road is one of Nairobi’s principal western transport arteries and carries heavy commuter traffic between the city centre and neighbourhoods such as Kangemi, Mountain View, Uthiru and farther destinations.

Route 23 uses this corridor specifically for the Kangemi journey.

ABC Place

ABC Place is a well-known landmark along the Route 23 corridor.

It sits along Waiyaki Way and serves as a useful reference point for commuters travelling between Westlands and Kangemi.

Passengers heading to businesses and offices around ABC Place can use Route 23 and confirm their preferred stop with the conductor.

Safaricom House Area

Route 23 is also associated with the Safaricom House area along Waiyaki Way.

This makes the route useful for commuters travelling to offices and businesses along this section of the corridor.

Kangemi

Kangemi is the principal destination of Route 23.

Current transit data lists the Route 23KG service as terminating at Kangemi Terminus after leaving Odeon and serving the western Nairobi corridor.

Passengers travelling into the wider Kangemi area should tell the conductor their exact destination because the neighbourhood contains several local stopping points.

Route 23 and Waiyaki Way

Route 23 is one of the useful route numbers for passengers travelling along the inner section of Waiyaki Way.

Unlike longer western Nairobi services that continue towards Uthiru, Kinoo, Kikuyu or Limuru, Route 23 is primarily associated with Kangemi.

This makes it particularly useful for commuters whose journey ends before the farther western sections of the corridor.

Route 23 to Westlands

Passengers travelling from Nairobi CBD to Westlands can use Route 23 because Westlands lies along the route towards Kangemi.

However, Westlands is served by many different public transport routes.

Passengers should therefore choose Route 23 particularly when they intend to continue farther along Waiyaki Way towards ABC Place or Kangemi.

Route 23 to ABC Place and Safaricom House

Route directories specifically identify ABC Place and Safaricom House among the destinations associated with Route 23.

For workers and visitors travelling to businesses along this section of Waiyaki Way, Route 23 can therefore provide a direct option from Nairobi CBD.

Passengers should tell the conductor their exact landmark before boarding.

Route 23 Return Journey: Kangemi to Nairobi CBD

Route 23 also provides public transport from Kangemi towards Nairobi CBD.

Current route data identifies the service between Kangemi Terminus and the city-centre Odeon area.

The return journey broadly follows:

Kangemi → Waiyaki Way → Westlands → Nairobi CBD

Traffic conditions around Westlands and the CBD approaches can significantly affect journey times, particularly during weekday rush hours.

Route 23 Matatu Fare

Route 23 fares depend on the passenger’s boarding point, destination, time of day, traffic conditions and passenger demand.

A passenger travelling from Nairobi CBD to Westlands may pay a different fare from someone continuing to ABC Place or Kangemi.

Fares may also increase during morning and evening peak periods, rainy weather or periods of unusually high passenger demand.

Important: Nairobi matatu fares are not always fixed and can change at any time. Any Route 23 fare published in this guide should therefore be treated as an estimate rather than a guaranteed price.

Passengers should confirm the current fare with the conductor before boarding.

Fare last checked: Current Route 23 fare requires field verification.

Route 23 Travel Time

There is no single fixed journey time between Nairobi CBD and Kangemi.

Traffic along Waiyaki Way and around Westlands can vary considerably depending on the time of day.

Morning traffic towards Nairobi and evening traffic travelling west from the CBD can increase journey times.

Passengers travelling for work, appointments or other time-sensitive commitments should allow additional time during peak periods.

Frequently Asked Questions About Route 23

Where does Route 23 go?

Route 23 connects Nairobi CBD with Kangemi via Westlands and Waiyaki Way.

Where do I board Route 23 in Nairobi?

Route 23 services to Kangemi are associated with Odeon / Latema Road off Tom Mboya Street.

Does Route 23 go to Kangemi?

Yes. Kangemi is the principal destination associated with Route 23.

Does Route 23 pass Westlands?

Yes. Route 23 serves Westlands before continuing along Waiyaki Way towards Kangemi.

Does Route 23 use Waiyaki Way?

Yes. Waiyaki Way is the main western corridor used by Route 23.

Does Route 23 pass ABC Place?

Yes. ABC Place is one of the landmarks associated with Route 23 along the Waiyaki Way corridor.

Does Route 23 pass Safaricom House?

Route directories identify Safaricom House among the destinations served along the Route 23 corridor.

Which matatu goes from Nairobi to Kangemi?

Route 23 is one of the established numbered services connecting Nairobi CBD with Kangemi.

Where does Route 23 terminate?

Current transit information lists the Kangemi-bound Route 23KG service as terminating at Kangemi Terminus.

Route 23 at a Glance

Route Number: 23
Route: Nairobi CBD ↔ Kangemi
Main Destination: Kangemi
Main Corridor: Waiyaki Way
Key Areas: Westlands, ABC Place, Safaricom House, Kangemi
CBD Boarding Area: Odeon / Latema Road
Current Route Listing: 23KG
Terminus: Kangemi Terminus
Return Direction: Kangemi → Nairobi CBD

Route numbers, stages, fares, stops and operating patterns can change. Metros Kenya periodically reviews its Nairobi matatu route information to provide commuters with useful and up-to-date public transport information.