Route 8 connects Nairobi CBD with Toi Market and Kibera, travelling through the Ngong Road corridor and Adams Arcade before heading towards Toi Market and the Kibera area.
The route is particularly useful for passengers travelling to Toi Market, one of Nairobi’s well-known open-air markets, as well as commuters heading towards parts of Kibera.
For other Nairobi matatu numbers, destinations and major corridors, commuters can browse the Metros Kenya route database.
View All Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
Route 8 at a Glance
The main journey follows:
Nairobi CBD → Ngong Road → Adams Arcade → Toi Market → Kibera
Unlike some Ngong Road matatus that continue towards Dagoretti Corner and destinations farther west, Route 8 branches towards the Toi Market and Kibera side of the corridor.
That distinction is important when choosing a matatu from Nairobi.
Leaving Nairobi for Kibera
From Nairobi CBD, Route 8 travels towards Ngong Road, joining one of the city’s busiest public transport corridors.
Several matatu routes share portions of Ngong Road, so passengers should not rely on the road name alone when choosing a vehicle.
If your destination is Toi Market or Kibera, look for Route 8 and confirm the destination with the conductor before boarding.
The exact CBD loading location can change with SACCO and traffic-management arrangements, so passengers unfamiliar with the service should confirm the current stage locally.
Ngong Road Section
Ngong Road provides the main connection between central Nairobi and the first part of the Route 8 journey.
This section is shared with matatus heading towards numerous other destinations.
Passengers travelling only to a point along Ngong Road may be able to use Route 8 for a shorter journey, depending on the required stop.
Those heading towards Kibera continue towards Adams Arcade.
Adams Arcade: The Key Reference Point
Adams Arcade is one of the easiest landmarks to use when understanding Route 8.
The area sits at an important point in the Ngong Road transport network and is served by several different matatu routes.
For Route 8 passengers, Adams Arcade is significant because the journey subsequently continues towards the Toi Market and Kibera corridor.
This is where Route 8 begins to become more distinct from services continuing farther along Ngong Road towards Junction Mall, Dagoretti Corner and western Nairobi.
Route 8 to Toi Market
Toi Market is one of the principal destinations served by Route 8.
The market attracts shoppers, traders and workers from different parts of Nairobi and is an important commercial destination within the wider Kibera area.
Passengers travelling specifically to Toi Market should tell the conductor their destination so they can be advised on the appropriate point to alight.
For many travellers, Toi Market itself also serves as a useful landmark for navigating the surrounding neighbourhood.
Continuing Towards Kibera
Route 8 also serves the Kibera area, making it useful for passengers travelling between central Nairobi and one of the city’s largest residential communities.
Because Kibera covers a substantial area with numerous local neighbourhoods and access points, saying simply “Kibera” may not always be sufficient.
Passengers should ideally know the particular stage, landmark or section they are travelling to and communicate this to the conductor.
The simplified full journey remains:
Nairobi → Ngong Road → Adams Arcade → Toi Market → Kibera
What Makes Route 8 Different From Other Ngong Road Routes?
Ngong Road carries numerous matatus, and several may travel together during the first part of their journeys.
Their destinations are what distinguish them.
Routes such as 2, 2C, 3, 4C and 4W use sections of the wider Ngong Road network before proceeding towards areas such as Kawangware, Waithaka, Dagoretti Corner and Kabiria.
Route 8 instead serves Toi Market and Kibera.
For passengers, this makes the destination displayed on the vehicle particularly important.
A matatu travelling along Ngong Road is not automatically the correct vehicle simply because your journey begins in the same direction.
Route 8 Is Also Useful for Short Trips
Not every Route 8 passenger needs to travel between Nairobi CBD and Kibera.
The service can also form part of shorter journeys such as:
Nairobi → Ngong Road
Nairobi → Adams Arcade
Nairobi → Toi Market
Adams Arcade → Toi Market
Toi Market → Kibera
The availability of a particular stop depends on the operating pattern of the vehicle, so passengers should confirm their destination when boarding.
Travelling from Kibera to Nairobi CBD
For passengers travelling towards central Nairobi, Route 8 operates in the opposite direction through the same general corridor.
The return journey can be understood as:
Kibera → Toi Market → Adams Arcade → Ngong Road → Nairobi CBD
Morning passenger movement towards Nairobi can be particularly strong as commuters travel to workplaces, schools, businesses and other destinations.
Later in the day, demand generally increases in the opposite direction as commuters return towards Kibera.
Route 8 Matatu Fare
The fare on Route 8 depends on the distance travelled and operating conditions at the time.
A passenger travelling from Nairobi to Adams Arcade may pay differently from someone continuing to Toi Market or Kibera.
Matatu fares can also fluctuate during periods of high passenger demand or difficult traffic conditions.
For the most accurate price, passengers should confirm the fare before boarding.
Traffic Can Affect the Journey
Route 8’s use of Ngong Road means journey times can vary considerably.
During quieter periods, passengers may complete the journey significantly faster than during the morning or evening rush.
Congestion around major intersections and commercial areas can add additional travelling time.
Commuters travelling for appointments or other time-sensitive engagements should allow extra time during peak periods.
A Simple Way to Identify Route 8
For passengers learning Nairobi’s matatu network, Route 8 can be remembered as:
Route 8 = Nairobi → Ngong Road → Adams Arcade → Toi Market → Kibera
The key distinguishing destinations are Toi Market and Kibera.
Passengers should check the route number and destination before boarding and confirm their particular Kibera stop with the conductor, especially when unfamiliar with the area.
