Kenyatta National Hospital is one of Nairobi’s most important public transport destinations, serving patients, hospital staff, students, visitors and commuters travelling through the wider Upper Hill and Mbagathi Way area.
Located along Hospital Road near Upper Hill and Mbagathi Way, KNH can be reached through several Nairobi public transport corridors. Some matatus serve the hospital area directly, while passengers travelling from other parts of Nairobi may need to connect through the CBD, Upper Hill, Ngong Road, Mbagathi Way or another major interchange.
This Metros Kenya guide brings together the matatu routes, stages, roads and connections serving Kenyatta National Hospital, as well as step-by-step guides for travelling to KNH from different parts of Nairobi and the metropolitan area.
View all Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
Kenyatta National Hospital Transport at a Glance
| Transport information | Details |
|---|---|
| Destination | Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) |
| Location | Hospital Road, Nairobi |
| Main transport corridor | Mbagathi Way / Upper Hill area |
| Major nearby areas | Upper Hill, Ngumo, Mbagathi, Community, Kenyatta Market |
| Main KNH route network | Route 7C and Mbagathi Way services |
| Other useful routes | Route 16, Route 33 Ngumo, Route 40 and connecting services |
| Main interchange options | Nairobi CBD, Upper Hill, Mbagathi Way, Kenyatta Market |
| Transport modes | Matatu, bus, taxi/ride-hailing and walking connections |
KNH is therefore best understood as part of a wider Mbagathi Way–Upper Hill public transport network, rather than as a destination served by only one matatu number.
Which Matatu Goes to Kenyatta National Hospital?
Passengers travelling to KNH have several options depending on where their journey begins.
Route 7C is traditionally associated with Kenyatta National Hospital services from central Nairobi.
Other services operating through or around the Mbagathi Way corridor can also provide access to the hospital.
These include:
Route 16 — Nyayo Highrise
Route 16 connects Nairobi CBD with Nyayo Highrise through the wider Lang’ata Road and Mbagathi Way corridor and provides access or connections towards the KNH area.
View Route 16 Nairobi to Nyayo Highrise
Route 33 — Ngumo
Passengers must specifically look for the Ngumo variant of Route 33, because the number 33 is also used for unrelated Nairobi services travelling towards Embakasi, Pipeline, Fedha and other eastern destinations.
View Route 33 Nairobi to Ngumo
Route 40 — Mbagathi / Ngumo
Route 40 is particularly useful for the KNH corridor, connecting Nairobi CBD with Kenyatta National Hospital before continuing through Mbagathi Way towards Mbagathi and Ngumo.
View Route 40 Nairobi to Mbagathi and Ngumo
Passengers should always confirm the destination displayed on the vehicle because Nairobi route numbers can have different variants.
Fares vary and can change at any time.
KNH and Mbagathi Way
Mbagathi Way is one of the most important public transport corridors surrounding Kenyatta National Hospital.
It connects the hospital area with destinations including:
Nairobi CBD, Upper Hill, Nyayo Highrise, Mbagathi, Mbagathi Hospital, Kenyatta Market, Ngumo and connections towards Kibera and Ngong Road.
Metros’ existing route database identifies Routes 16, 33 Ngumo and 40 among the principal Mbagathi Way services.
Passengers travelling beyond KNH should therefore check the final destination rather than assuming every vehicle serving the hospital follows the same route.
KNH and Upper Hill
Kenyatta National Hospital sits beside one of Nairobi’s largest employment districts, making Upper Hill–KNH an important short-distance commuter connection.
Passengers travelling between Upper Hill and the Mbagathi Way corridor can connect through the hospital area towards Ngumo, Mbagathi, Highrise and Kenyatta Market.
View Upper Hill to Ngumo via KNH and Mbagathi Way
This also makes KNH an important interchange between Nairobi’s hospital district and the Upper Hill office district.
Nairobi CBD to Kenyatta National Hospital
For many passengers, Nairobi CBD provides the simplest starting point for reaching KNH because several Mbagathi Way and hospital-area services originate or connect through central Nairobi.
The general journey is:
Nairobi CBD → Community/Upper Hill area → KNH
Passengers should ask specifically for a vehicle serving Kenyatta National Hospital or the KNH/Mbagathi Way corridor.
How to Get From Nairobi CBD to Kenyatta National Hospital
Passengers unfamiliar with Nairobi’s CBD boarding points can also use the Metros guide to the city’s major stages and termini.
Explore Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages & Termini
Travelling to KNH From Different Parts of Nairobi
Reaching Kenyatta National Hospital differs considerably depending on the origin.
For that reason, Metros Kenya is building individual commuter guides explaining the most practical public transport connection from major Nairobi residential areas to KNH.
Nairobi CBD → KNH
CBD to Kenyatta National Hospital
Kasarani → KNH
Kasarani to Kenyatta National Hospital
Ruiru → KNH
Ruiru to Kenyatta National Hospital
Umoja → KNH
Umoja to Kenyatta National Hospital
Kayole → KNH
Kayole to Kenyatta National Hospital
Embakasi → KNH
Embakasi to Kenyatta National Hospital
Pipeline → KNH
Pipeline to Kenyatta National Hospital
South B → KNH
South B to Kenyatta National Hospital
South C → KNH
South C to Kenyatta National Hospital
Ongata Rongai → KNH
Ongata Rongai to Kenyatta National Hospital
Kitengela → KNH
Kitengela to Kenyatta National Hospital
Kawangware → KNH
Kawangware to Kenyatta National Hospital
Kikuyu → KNH
Kikuyu to Kenyatta National Hospital
These guides should explain the actual origin → corridor → interchange → KNH journey rather than simply repeating lists of matatu numbers.
From Thika Road to KNH
Passengers travelling from Kasarani, Roysambu, Githurai, Kahawa, Ruiru and other Thika Road areas generally need to connect from the northern Nairobi transport network into the KNH/Upper Hill/Mbagathi Way network.
This makes Nairobi CBD an important interchange for many journeys, although the exact connection depends on the passenger’s origin.
Explore Thika Road and other Nairobi Matatu Routes
Passengers travelling from Umoja, Kayole, Embakasi and Pipeline approach KNH from Nairobi’s eastern transport network.
Depending on the origin, the journey may involve a connection through Nairobi CBD or another suitable interchange before joining a service towards KNH.
Use the individual guides:
South B and South C are geographically closer to KNH than many of Nairobi’s outer residential areas, but the most convenient public transport journey depends on the boarding point and available connection.
Passengers should avoid automatically travelling deep into the CBD if a practical connection towards the hospital or Mbagathi Way is available.
Ongata Rongai passengers approach central Nairobi through the Magadi Road–Lang’ata Road corridor.
Because KNH lies near the Mbagathi Way network, the journey does not always need to be understood simply as Rongai → Nairobi CBD → KNH.
The dedicated guide should explain where the most practical transfer occurs.
From Kawangware, Dagoretti and Ngong Road to KNH
Western and southwestern Nairobi have particularly interesting KNH connections because several services around Mbagathi Way continue towards Ngong Road, Dagoretti and related corridors.
Current public-transport listings around KNH/Mbagathi Way include services associated with destinations such as Dagoretti Market, Kawangware, Ngong and Kibera, although exact operating patterns should always be confirmed before travel.
View all Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
KNH to Ngumo
KNH is an important interchange for passengers travelling farther along Mbagathi Way towards Ngumo.
Routes 33 Ngumo and 40 are particularly relevant.
Route 40 Nairobi to Mbagathi and Ngumo
KNH to Nyayo Highrise
Passengers travelling between KNH and Nyayo Highrise can use the wider Mbagathi Way network.
Route 16 is particularly associated with the Highrise corridor and provides access or connections around the KNH area.
Route 16 Nairobi to Nyayo Highrise
KNH to Mbagathi and Kenyatta Market
Mbagathi Way continues from the hospital area towards Mbagathi, Kenyatta Market and Ngumo.
Route 40 provides one of the clearest documented connections through this corridor.
Route 40 Nairobi to Mbagathi and Ngumo
Kenyatta Market can also function as a useful interchange for passengers continuing towards Ngumo, Kibera and surrounding neighbourhoods.
KNH and Nairobi’s Wider Matatu Network
Passengers coming from areas without a convenient KNH service can use the Metros Nairobi Matatu Routes database to identify the first part of their journey before connecting to the hospital corridor.
View all Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
The database organises Nairobi’s matatu network by routes, destinations and major road corridors.
Passengers can also identify operators and their route networks through:
Explore Nairobi Matatu SACCOs, Routes & Destinations
KNH and Nairobi Bus Stations
Passengers transferring in Nairobi CBD should identify the correct stage before beginning the second leg towards KNH.
CBD matatu boarding arrangements can change, and different routes may use different streets or termini.
Explore Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages & Termini
KNH and Nairobi Commuter Rail
Nairobi’s commuter railway does not replace the final road journey to KNH for most passengers, but rail can form part of a multimodal trip for commuters entering central Nairobi from areas served by the railway.
Passengers using rail would normally need to complete the journey to KNH using another public transport service.
Explore Nairobi Commuter Rail Routes, Stations & Fares
Explore Kenya Train Routes, SGR & Commuter Rail
KNH and Nairobi’s Future BRT Network
Nairobi’s planned Bus Rapid Transit network could eventually change how passengers transfer between major corridors and destinations such as Upper Hill and KNH.
The BRT system remains a developing transport programme, so passengers should not treat proposed services as currently operational.
Explore Nairobi BRT Routes & Bus Rapid Transit
KNH and the Future Nairobi Metro
The proposed Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System could also reshape movement between Nairobi’s major residential and employment districts.
KNH is not currently served by an operational metro system, and proposed infrastructure should therefore be distinguished from today’s matatu and bus services.
Explore Nairobi Metro Lines & Underground Railway
Travelling to KNH for a Medical Appointment
Passengers travelling to Kenyatta National Hospital for an appointment should allow additional time for both traffic and movement within the hospital complex.
When boarding a matatu, tell the conductor that your destination is KNH and, where possible, identify the hospital entrance or nearby landmark you require.
A vehicle reaching the KNH area does not necessarily leave passengers directly outside the particular department they are visiting.
Traffic around Upper Hill, Hospital Road and Mbagathi Way can also affect journey times.
KNH Matatu Fares
There is no single fare for travelling to Kenyatta National Hospital.
The amount depends on:
the origin of the journey, distance travelled, route used, time of day, traffic conditions and passenger demand.
Fares vary and can change at any time.
Passengers making a transfer should budget for each leg of the journey separately.
Planning Your Journey to Kenyatta National Hospital
Kenyatta National Hospital sits at the intersection of several important Nairobi transport areas.
The most useful way to plan a journey is therefore:
Origin → Main corridor → Interchange → KNH
A passenger from Kasarani will have a very different journey from somebody travelling from South C, Kawangware or Ongata Rongai.
That is why Metros Kenya provides both the broad KNH transport hub and individual origin-to-hospital commuter guides.
Explore Nairobi’s Transport Network
Continue planning your journey using the Metros Kenya transport database:
View all Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
Explore Nairobi Matatu SACCOs, Routes & Destinations
Explore Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages & Termini
Explore Nairobi Commuter Rail Routes, Stations & Fares
Explore Kenya Train Routes, SGR & Commuter Rail
Explore Nairobi Metro Lines & Underground Railway
