Travelling from Kasarani to Nairobi Industrial Area is a cross-city commute connecting northern Nairobi with one of the capital’s largest employment and manufacturing districts. Unlike journeys starting in Umoja, Kayole or Buruburu, Kasarani commuters begin on the Thika Road corridor, so the route requires a different strategy.
Route 49 connects Kasarani with Nairobi CBD through Roysambu, Thika Road, Pangani and Murang’a Road. For passengers heading to Industrial Area, the CBD provides the clearest established interchange: after reaching central Nairobi, commuters can connect to Routes 70, 71 or 72 depending on the section of Industrial Area they need. (Metros)
The simplest journey to understand is:
Kasarani → Thika Road → Nairobi CBD → Industrial Area
Passengers should not assume that a Kasarani matatu continues directly to Industrial Area.
View the Nairobi Industrial Area Transport Guide
View all Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
Kasarani to Industrial Area at a Glance
| Journey information | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kasarani |
| Destination | Nairobi Industrial Area |
| Main Kasarani route | Route 49 |
| Main corridor | Thika Road |
| Key interchange | Nairobi CBD |
| Industrial Area routes | 70, 71 and 72 depending on destination |
| Important destination roads | Likoni, Lunga Lunga, Enterprise and Lusaka roads |
| Main journey | Kasarani → Nairobi CBD → Industrial Area |
| Return journey | Industrial Area → Nairobi CBD → Kasarani |
How to Get From Kasarani to Industrial Area
For most passengers unfamiliar with the network, the easiest journey to follow is in two stages:
Kasarani → Nairobi CBD
then:
Nairobi CBD → Industrial Area
Route 49 provides the Kasarani–CBD leg. Metros documents the simplified journey as:
Kasarani → Roysambu → Thika Road → Pangani → Murang’a Road → Nairobi CBD. (Metros)
Once in the CBD, passengers can change to an Industrial Area service appropriate for their workplace.
Read Route 49 Nairobi to Kasarani Guide
Kasarani to Nairobi CBD
Route 49 is one of the principal matatu routes connecting Kasarani with central Nairobi.
It also serves Roysambu and can have extensions towards Seasons and Clay City, so passengers starting in the wider Kasarani area should confirm the Nairobi-bound direction before boarding. (Metros)
For this journey, Route 49 forms the first leg:
Kasarani → Roysambu → Thika Road → Pangani → Nairobi CBD
Once in central Nairobi, change for Industrial Area.
Route 49 Kasarani & Clay City Matatu Guide
Nairobi CBD to Industrial Area
The CBD is a major interchange because several established matatu services connect central Nairobi with Industrial Area.
Routes 70 and 71 serve Industrial Area and Lunga Lunga Road, while Routes 71 and 72 serve the Lunga Lunga–Likoni Road corridor and provide connections deeper into the industrial district. (Metros)
The complete journey therefore becomes:
Kasarani → Thika Road → Nairobi CBD → Industrial Area
The Industrial Area vehicle you choose should depend on your exact destination.
Nairobi CBD to Industrial Area Matatu Guide
Kasarani to Lunga Lunga Road
If your destination is Lunga Lunga Road, travel from Kasarani towards Nairobi CBD before connecting to a service serving Lunga Lunga.
Routes 70, 71 and 72 operate within this wider Industrial Area corridor. (Metros)
The journey can therefore be understood as:
Kasarani → Nairobi CBD → Lunga Lunga Road
Tell the conductor specifically that you are travelling to Lunga Lunga Road, preferably giving your company or nearest recognised landmark.
Route 71/72 Lunga Lunga Road Guide
Kasarani to Likoni Road
Likoni Road provides one of the main approaches into Industrial Area and is served by the Route 71/72 corridor. (Metros)
A passenger can broadly plan:
Kasarani → Nairobi CBD → Likoni Road
Route 71 travels from Nairobi through Jogoo Road and City Stadium before entering Industrial Area through Likoni Road and continuing towards BAT, Lunga Lunga Road and Donholm. (Metros)
Route 71 Industrial Area and Donholm Guide
Kasarani to Enterprise Road
Passengers travelling to Enterprise Road should identify their workplace before selecting the final Industrial Area service.
Metros’ Industrial Area route network distinguishes Enterprise Road from the Lunga Lunga and Likoni Road corridors. Route 69/72 is associated with Lusaka and Enterprise roads, while Route 70 serves Likoni and Lunga Lunga roads. (Metros)
The broad journey remains:
Kasarani → Nairobi CBD → Industrial Area → Enterprise Road
The exact final connection depends on the service and workplace location.
Enterprise Road to Mombasa Road Transport Guide
Kasarani to General Motors
Passengers travelling towards General Motors (GM) are heading towards the Mombasa Road side of the wider Industrial Area network.
Lunga Lunga Road and Likoni Road are not necessarily the best alighting points for a passenger whose workplace is near GM.
The passenger should therefore identify General Motors as the destination when seeking the final connection.
Industrial Area to General Motors Matatu Guide
Kasarani to Lusaka Road
Lusaka Road is another important Industrial Area approach.
The Industrial Area network documented by Metros associates Route 69/72 with Lusaka Road and Enterprise Road, while other Industrial Area services concentrate more heavily on Likoni and Lunga Lunga roads. (Metros)
This is why passengers should not simply ask:
“Which matatu goes to Industrial Area?”
A better question is:
“Which matatu goes closest to Lusaka Road?”
Knowing the specific road can prevent an unnecessary second transfer within Industrial Area.
Does Kasarani Have a Direct Matatu to Industrial Area?
The Metros route information reviewed for this guide establishes Route 49 between Kasarani and Nairobi CBD, and separate Routes 70/71/72 serving Industrial Area. It does not establish Route 49 as a direct Kasarani–Industrial Area service. (Metros)
For that reason, this guide should not present a direct Kasarani–Industrial Area matatu as guaranteed.
The reliable network to understand is:
Kasarani → Nairobi CBD → Industrial Area
If a through or alternative service is available locally, confirm its complete route with the conductor before boarding.
Can You Avoid Nairobi CBD?
This journey differs from the earlier Kayole, Umoja and Pipeline guides.
Those origins have relatively clear connections into the Donholm–Industrial Area network. Donholm itself has Routes 71 and 72 connecting with Industrial Area. (Metros)
Kasarani lies much farther north.
Although alternative multi-transfer journeys through eastern Nairobi may sometimes be possible, adding several uncertain connections can make the journey more complicated.
For most passengers unfamiliar with the route, the CBD provides a simple and easily understood interchange:
Kasarani → CBD → Industrial Area
This article therefore should not force a “without going through CBD” angle simply because that worked for the Eastlands origin articles.
Kasarani to Industrial Area vs Kayole
The difference becomes clear when the two journeys are compared.
Kayole → Donholm → Industrial Area
versus:
Kasarani → Thika Road → Nairobi CBD → Industrial Area
Kayole is already embedded within the eastern Nairobi transport network, while Kasarani approaches central Nairobi from the north through Thika Road.
Kayole to Industrial Area Matatu Guide
This geographic difference gives the Kasarani page its own search intent and prevents it from simply repeating the Eastlands articles.
Kasarani to Industrial Area vs Buruburu
Buruburu is also considerably closer to the Donholm–Industrial Area network.
A Buruburu passenger can use the Eastlands network towards Donholm, where Routes 71/72 provide Industrial Area connections. (Metros)
Kasarani commuters approach from the Thika Road side instead.
Buruburu to Industrial Area Matatu Guide
The two journeys therefore solve different commuter problems even though they share the same final destination.
Which Part of Kasarani Are You Starting From?
Kasarani itself covers a large area.
Route 49 serves central Kasarani and has services associated with Seasons and Clay City, while passengers in surrounding neighbourhoods may use other local connections before reaching the main Thika Road corridor. (Metros)
Your first leg may therefore vary depending on whether you start around:
Kasarani
Seasons
Clay City
or another part of the wider Kasarani area.
The objective remains to reach the appropriate Nairobi-bound corridor before making the Industrial Area connection.
Which Part of Industrial Area Are You Going To?
This question is particularly important when travelling a long distance from Kasarani.
Industrial Area includes:
Likoni Road
Lunga Lunga Road
Enterprise Road
Lusaka Road
General Motors/Mombasa Road side
and numerous internal roads.
Routes 70, 71 and 72 do not necessarily serve every road in exactly the same way. Metros’ existing route guides specifically advise passengers to know their company, nearest main road, junction or landmark. (Metros)
Complete Nairobi Industrial Area Transport Guide
How Long Does Kasarani to Industrial Area Take?
There is no fixed travel time.
This journey crosses several of Nairobi’s busiest transport areas, and delays can occur around:
Kasarani
Roysambu
Thika Road
Pangani
Nairobi CBD
Jogoo Road/City Stadium
Industrial Area
Route 49 journey times are affected by congestion along Thika Road, Pangani and Roysambu, while Industrial Area services can be delayed by Jogoo Road traffic and heavy commercial vehicles around Likoni and Lunga Lunga roads. (Metros)
Allow additional time when travelling for a work shift, interview, delivery or appointment.
Kasarani to Industrial Area Matatu Fare
There is no single guaranteed fare for the complete journey because most passengers will need at least two services.
The fare may consist of:
Kasarani → Nairobi CBD
plus:
Nairobi CBD → Industrial Area
Both Route 49 and Industrial Area fares vary according to boarding point, destination, traffic, demand and time of travel. (Metros)
Fares vary and can change at any time.
Confirm the fare before boarding each matatu.
Returning From Industrial Area to Kasarani
For the return journey, reverse the network:
Industrial Area → Nairobi CBD → Kasarani
First find the appropriate Nairobi-bound service from your section of Industrial Area.
Route 71, for example, returns from Donholm through Lunga Lunga Road, BAT, Likoni Road, City Stadium and Jogoo Road towards Nairobi CBD. (Metros)
Once in central Nairobi, transfer to Route 49 or another confirmed Kasarani-bound service.
The simplified Route 49 return journey is:
Nairobi CBD → Pangani → Thika Road → Roysambu → Kasarani. (Metros)
More Industrial Area Transport Guides
This Kasarani guide expands the Metros Industrial Area network beyond the immediate Eastlands and southern Nairobi origins.
Nairobi Industrial Area Transport Guide
Nairobi CBD to Industrial Area
Explore the Wider Metros Transport Network
Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
Nairobi Matatu SACCOs, Routes & Destinations
Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages & Termini
Nairobi Commuter Rail Routes & Stations
Nairobi to JKIA Airport Transport
Kasarani to Industrial Area: The Key Point
For Kasarani commuters, the clearest established public-transport journey is:
Kasarani → Thika Road → Nairobi CBD → Industrial Area
Route 49 handles the Kasarani–CBD section. From Nairobi CBD, choose the Industrial Area service according to whether you need Likoni Road, Lunga Lunga Road, Enterprise Road, Lusaka Road or another destination.
The critical difference from the Eastlands origin guides is that Nairobi CBD is a logical interchange for this journey rather than something the article needs to avoid.
