Nairobi Matatu Route 36 connects Nairobi CBD with Dandora, travelling through several major Eastlands neighbourhoods. The route runs via Jogoo Road, Makadara, Buruburu and Kariobangi South before reaching Dandora, making it useful for both CBD commuters and passengers travelling between different parts of Eastlands.
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Route 36 is particularly useful for passengers travelling towards Makadara, Buruburu, Kariobangi South and Dandora. Since many matatu routes use Jogoo Road and serve Eastlands, passengers should check the Route 36 number and confirm their specific destination with the conductor before boarding.
Route 36 Quick Information
Route Number: 36
Route: Nairobi – Dandora
Origin: Nairobi CBD
Main Destination: Dandora
Main Corridor: Jogoo Road
Key Areas: Makadara, Buruburu, Kariobangi South, Dandora
Transport Region: Eastlands
Return Direction: Dandora – Nairobi
Where to Board Route 36 in Nairobi
Route 36 matatus heading towards Dandora operate from central Nairobi alongside other public transport services serving Jogoo Road and Eastlands.
Passengers should look for vehicles displaying:
36 – DANDORA
Because numerous matatu routes travel east from Nairobi, passengers should not rely only on the general direction of travel.
Confirm that the vehicle serves Makadara, Buruburu, Kariobangi South and Dandora, depending on your destination.
CBD stages and loading arrangements can change, so commuters should confirm the current Route 36 boarding point before travelling.
Route 36 from Nairobi to Dandora
Route 36 travels east from central Nairobi using Jogoo Road before continuing through several residential neighbourhoods towards Dandora.
The simplified route is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Makadara → Buruburu → Kariobangi South → Dandora
Passengers can use Route 36 for the full Nairobi–Dandora journey or for shorter trips between areas along the corridor.
Local stopping patterns may vary, so passengers should tell the conductor their specific stage or landmark.
Major Route 36 Stops and Areas Served
Jogoo Road
Jogoo Road is the main transport corridor used by Route 36 when leaving Nairobi CBD.
It is one of the city’s busiest Eastlands roads and carries large numbers of matatus, buses and private vehicles.
Many public transport routes use Jogoo Road before branching towards different residential estates.
Passengers should therefore check both the Route 36 number and Dandora destination when boarding.
Makadara
Makadara is one of the major areas served along Route 36.
Makadara is located within Nairobi’s inner eastern area and has strong public transport connections with the CBD and surrounding Eastlands neighbourhoods.
Passengers travelling from Nairobi to Makadara can use Route 36 for this section of the journey.
Those continuing towards Buruburu, Kariobangi South or Dandora remain on the appropriate vehicle.
Buruburu
Buruburu is another important area served by Route 36.
Buruburu is a large residential neighbourhood in Eastlands with substantial daily commuter traffic.
Passengers travelling specifically to Buruburu should tell the conductor the phase, stage or landmark closest to their destination.
Those continuing towards Kariobangi South and Dandora remain on the vehicle.
Kariobangi South
Kariobangi South is an important intermediate area on the Route 36 corridor.
The neighbourhood has public transport connections with other parts of Eastlands and Nairobi CBD.
Passengers should distinguish Kariobangi South from other areas carrying the Kariobangi name.
Route 36 continues beyond Kariobangi South towards Dandora.
Dandora
Dandora is the main destination associated with Route 36.
Dandora is one of Nairobi’s major residential areas and generates substantial daily public transport demand.
Because Dandora contains different sections and local stages, passengers should tell the conductor the specific part of Dandora they need.
This is particularly important for passengers unfamiliar with the area.
Route 36 Nairobi to Makadara
Passengers travelling from Nairobi to Makadara can use Route 36 along Jogoo Road.
The simplified journey is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Makadara
Makadara is served by several Eastlands routes, so passengers may have multiple transport options.
Route 36 becomes particularly useful for commuters continuing farther towards Buruburu, Kariobangi South and Dandora.
Route 36 Nairobi to Buruburu
Route 36 can also be used by passengers travelling between Nairobi and Buruburu.
The simplified journey is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Makadara → Buruburu
Passengers travelling specifically to Buruburu should tell the conductor their preferred phase or stage.
Those travelling farther towards Kariobangi South and Dandora continue on the vehicle.
Route 36 Nairobi to Kariobangi South
Passengers travelling to Kariobangi South continue beyond Buruburu.
The simplified journey is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Makadara → Buruburu → Kariobangi South
Passengers should confirm their specific Kariobangi South destination when boarding.
Those continuing to Dandora remain on the appropriate Route 36 service.
Route 36 Nairobi to Dandora
Passengers completing the full Route 36 journey continue towards Dandora.
The simplified route is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Makadara → Buruburu → Kariobangi South → Dandora
Passengers boarding in Nairobi should look specifically for a Route 36 vehicle displaying Dandora.
They should also tell the conductor the particular Dandora section, stage or landmark they need.
Route 36 Buruburu to Dandora
Route 36 can also serve passengers travelling within Eastlands between Buruburu and Dandora.
The simplified section is:
Buruburu → Kariobangi South → Dandora
This makes Route 36 useful for local journeys that do not require passengers to travel through Nairobi CBD.
Passengers making shorter trips should confirm their fare with the conductor.
Route 36 Kariobangi South to Dandora
Passengers can also use Route 36 for journeys between Kariobangi South and Dandora.
These neighbouring parts of Eastlands generate regular passenger movements throughout the day.
The simplified journey is:
Kariobangi South → Dandora
Passengers should tell the conductor their specific Dandora destination when boarding.
Route 36 and the Jogoo Road Corridor
Jogoo Road is one of Nairobi’s most important public transport gateways between the CBD and Eastlands.
Route 36 uses the corridor before travelling deeper into Eastlands towards Dandora.
Several other routes use the same road but branch towards different destinations.
Passengers should therefore identify the correct service using both the route number and destination.
Route 36 and the Dandora Commuter Corridor
Dandora has a large residential population, creating significant daily public transport demand.
Morning passenger flows generally increase towards Nairobi CBD and other employment centres.
During the evening rush hour, demand increases in the opposite direction as commuters return towards Makadara, Buruburu, Kariobangi South and Dandora.
Route 36 forms part of the matatu network supporting these daily commuter movements.
Route 36 and the Buruburu Corridor
Buruburu is an important intermediate destination on Route 36.
Passengers travelling between Nairobi and Buruburu can use the route, while those continuing farther remain on the vehicle towards Kariobangi South and Dandora.
Because Buruburu contains several phases, passengers should confirm the most convenient stage for their destination.
Route 36 vs Route 58
Route 36 and Route 58 both have links with the Buruburu transport corridor but serve different main destinations.
Route 58
Route 58 is primarily associated with Buruburu.
Route 36
Route 36 continues through Buruburu and Kariobangi South towards Dandora.
Passengers travelling beyond Buruburu should therefore confirm that their vehicle continues towards Dandora.
Route 36 vs Route 23
Route 23 and Route 36 both have connections with Kariobangi South but approach the corridor differently.
Route 23
Route 23 serves Makadara, Jericho, Harambee and Kariobangi South.
Route 36
Route 36 serves Makadara, Buruburu, Kariobangi South and continues towards Dandora.
Passengers should choose according to their specific destination and preferred corridor.
Route 36 vs Route 38/39
Route 38/39 also serves the wider Kariobangi and Dandora area.
Route 36 reaches Dandora through the Jogoo Road–Makadara–Buruburu–Kariobangi South corridor.
Route 38/39 serves another part of the wider Kariobangi–Dandora transport network.
Passengers should therefore check the destination and operating path before boarding.
Route 36 vs Route 10
Route 10 and Route 36 share parts of the Jogoo Road and Makadara corridor.
Route 10 is primarily associated with Makadara and Maringo, while Route 36 continues through Buruburu and Kariobangi South towards Dandora.
Passengers travelling beyond Makadara should select the service that directly serves their destination.
Connecting from Route 36 to Other Eastlands Routes
Passengers can connect with other public transport services at various points along the Route 36 corridor.
Jogoo Road, Makadara, Buruburu and Kariobangi South provide connections towards other Eastlands destinations.
Passengers making an onward journey should tell the conductor their final destination and ask for the most convenient interchange stage.
Route 36 Return Journey: Dandora to Nairobi
Route 36 also carries commuters travelling from Dandora towards Nairobi CBD.
The simplified return journey follows:
Dandora → Kariobangi South → Buruburu → Makadara → Jogoo Road → Nairobi
Morning services towards Nairobi can become particularly busy as residents travel to workplaces, schools and businesses.
Evening services towards Dandora can experience similarly high passenger demand.
Route 36 Matatu Fare
Route 36 fares depend on the distance travelled.
A passenger travelling from Nairobi to Makadara may pay a different fare from someone travelling to Buruburu, Kariobangi South or Dandora.
Shorter journeys between areas along the corridor may also attract different fares.
Traffic congestion, passenger demand, weather and time of day can influence the amount charged.
Important: Nairobi matatu fares are not always fixed and can change at any time. Any Route 36 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.
Route 36 Travel Time
There is no fixed travel time between Nairobi and Dandora.
Journey times depend heavily on traffic conditions within central Nairobi, along Jogoo Road and through the wider Eastlands road network.
Morning and evening rush-hour congestion can significantly increase travel times.
Heavy rain, road works and traffic incidents may cause additional delays.
Passengers travelling for work, school or appointments should allow extra time during busy periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Route 36
Where does Route 36 go?
Route 36 connects Nairobi with Dandora via Jogoo Road, Makadara, Buruburu and Kariobangi South.
Does Route 36 go to Dandora?
Yes. Dandora is the main destination associated with Route 36.
Does Route 36 go through Buruburu?
Yes. Route 36 serves Buruburu before continuing towards Kariobangi South and Dandora.
Does Route 36 go through Kariobangi South?
Yes. Kariobangi South is one of the major areas along Route 36.
Does Route 36 go through Makadara?
Yes. Route 36 serves Makadara through the Jogoo Road corridor.
Does Route 36 use Jogoo Road?
Yes. Jogoo Road is the main corridor used by Route 36 when travelling from Nairobi towards Eastlands.
Which matatu goes from Nairobi to Dandora?
Route 36 is one of the matatu route numbers serving Nairobi to Dandora via Makadara, Buruburu and Kariobangi South.
Can I use Route 36 from Buruburu to Dandora?
Yes. Route 36 serves the Buruburu–Kariobangi South–Dandora corridor.
What is the difference between Route 36 and Route 58?
Route 58 primarily serves Buruburu, while Route 36 continues beyond Buruburu through Kariobangi South towards Dandora.
How much is Route 36 from Nairobi to Dandora?
Fares vary according to traffic conditions, passenger demand, weather and time of day. Passengers should confirm the current fare with the conductor before boarding.
Route 36 at a Glance
Route Number: 36
Route: Nairobi ↔ Dandora
Main Destination: Dandora
Main Corridor: Jogoo Road
Key Areas: Makadara, Buruburu, Kariobangi South, Dandora
Related Routes: Route 58, Route 23, Route 38/39 and Route 10
Return Direction: Dandora → Kariobangi South → Buruburu → Makadara → Jogoo Road → Nairobi
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.
