Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital is a major public referral hospital located along the Thika Road/Muthaiga side of Nairobi, north of Nairobi CBD.
Its location places the hospital within an important transport zone connecting Nairobi CBD, Ngara, Pangani, Muthaiga and the wider Thika Road corridor.
This Metros Kenya guide explains how to get to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital by matatu, including the main roads, transport corridors, interchange options and connections with the wider Nairobi public transport network.
For a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, seek appropriate emergency medical assistance rather than relying on ordinary public transport.
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Where Is Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital?
Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital is located north of Nairobi CBD within the wider Muthaiga, Pangani and Thika Road transport zone.
The hospital’s position gives it connections to several major transport corridors serving northern and northeastern Nairobi.
Important surrounding transport connections include:
Thika Road | Murang’a Road | Pangani | Muthaiga | Ngara
Passengers approaching from different parts of Nairobi should first identify which of these corridors provides the simplest connection from their origin.
For the wider Nairobi network, use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database.
Nairobi CBD to Mathari Hospital
Nairobi CBD is one of the main starting points for passengers travelling towards Mathari Hospital.
Services heading north through the Murang’a Road/Pangani/Thika Road transport network provide connections towards this part of Nairobi.
The general journey is:
Nairobi CBD → Ngara/Pangani → Muthaiga/Thika Road area → Mathari Hospital
Passengers should tell the conductor clearly that they are travelling to Mathari Hospital and confirm the most convenient alighting point before boarding.
For CBD boarding and interchange information, see the Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages & Termini Guide.
Thika Road as a Major Transport Corridor
Thika Road is one of the most important public transport corridors associated with the hospital’s wider location.
It connects central Nairobi with:
Pangani → Muthaiga → Survey → Allsops → Roysambu → Kasarani → Githurai → Kahawa → Ruiru → Juja → Thika
Metros has mapped numerous services operating through this corridor in the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database.
Passengers travelling from the northern side of Nairobi should therefore determine whether they can alight or interchange in the Muthaiga/Pangani area rather than automatically continuing into Nairobi CBD.
Murang’a Road and Pangani Connection
Murang’a Road is another important part of the northern Nairobi transport network.
It carries public transport between Nairobi CBD, Ngara, Pangani and routes continuing towards northern and northeastern Nairobi.
The broad journey structure is:
Nairobi CBD → Ngara → Pangani → Muthaiga/Mathari area
Passengers approaching Mathari Hospital from the CBD should pay attention to both the route destination and the road used by the vehicle.
Use the Nairobi Matatu Routes database to compare the northern Nairobi services mapped by Metros.
Travelling From Pangani
Pangani is an important nearby transport node for passengers approaching Mathari Hospital.
The general connection is:
Pangani → Muthaiga/Mathari area → Mathari Hospital
Depending on the passenger’s starting point and service, the final section may involve another connection or walking from an appropriate alighting point.
Passengers should confirm the hospital destination with the conductor.
Travelling From Ngara
Ngara is one of Nairobi’s important public transport interchange areas and connects the CBD with several northern Nairobi routes.
A journey from Ngara can generally be understood as:
Ngara → Pangani/Muthaiga connection → Mathari Hospital
Passengers arriving in Ngara from other parts of Nairobi may therefore be able to change vehicles there rather than entering deeper into the CBD.
Information about Nairobi’s major stages and termini is available in the Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages & Termini Guide.
Travelling From Kasarani and Roysambu
Passengers travelling from Kasarani or Roysambu approach the hospital from the northern side of the Thika Road corridor.
The broad journey is:
Kasarani/Roysambu → Thika Road → Muthaiga/Pangani area → Mathari Hospital
Because many vehicles continue towards Nairobi CBD, passengers should tell the conductor their destination before travelling unnecessarily beyond the most convenient alighting point.
Metros’ Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database contains routes serving Kasarani, Roysambu and the wider Thika Road corridor.
Travelling From Githurai and Kahawa
Passengers coming from Githurai, Kahawa West, Kahawa Sukari and surrounding areas generally approach central Nairobi through the Thika Road network.
The journey can broadly follow:
Githurai/Kahawa → Thika Road → Muthaiga/Pangani area → Mathari Hospital
Passengers should identify a Nairobi-bound service and confirm the best alighting point for Mathari Hospital.
Because different matatus may operate different stopping patterns, the hospital destination should always be confirmed with the crew.
Travelling From Ruiru, Juja and Thika
Passengers travelling from Ruiru, Juja or Thika also approach Nairobi through the Thika Road corridor.
The general journey is:
Ruiru/Juja/Thika → Thika Road → Muthaiga/Pangani area → Mathari Hospital
Passengers should determine whether their service provides a convenient alighting point before Nairobi CBD.
This can avoid travelling into the city centre only to return northwards.
Travelling From Eastleigh
Eastleigh lies relatively close to the wider Pangani and northern Nairobi transport network.
Depending on the passenger’s starting point, a journey may involve a connection through Pangani or another nearby interchange.
The general journey can be understood as:
Eastleigh → Pangani/Muthaiga connection → Mathari Hospital
Passengers should confirm the most convenient route locally because services from different parts of Eastleigh may use different roads.
Travelling From Parklands
Passengers travelling from Parklands approach Mathari Hospital from the western side of the wider northern Nairobi transport zone.
Depending on the starting point, a connection towards Muthaiga or Pangani may provide access to the hospital area.
The journey can generally be understood as:
Parklands → Muthaiga/Pangani connection → Mathari Hospital
Metros also has dedicated hospital transport Pages for two major Parklands hospitals:
Aga Khan University Hospital Transport Guide
M.P. Shah Hospital Transport Guide
These are separate hospital destinations, but their transport guides help map the wider Parklands side of Nairobi’s hospital network.
Travelling From Westlands and Waiyaki Way
Passengers travelling from Westlands, Kangemi, Uthiru and other areas along Waiyaki Way need to connect towards northern Nairobi.
The journey may involve Nairobi CBD, Ngara or another appropriate interchange.
A typical journey is:
Westlands/Waiyaki Way → CBD/Ngara interchange → Pangani/Muthaiga → Mathari Hospital
Passengers beginning in Westlands can use the Westlands Transport Guide to plan the first section of the journey.
Travelling From Umoja, Kayole and Other Eastlands Areas
Passengers travelling from Umoja, Kayole, Buruburu, Donholm and other parts of Eastlands need to connect towards the Pangani/Muthaiga side of Nairobi.
Depending on the origin, the journey may use a central Nairobi interchange.
A straightforward journey can be planned as:
Eastlands → CBD/Ngara/Pangani interchange → Muthaiga → Mathari Hospital
Use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify the first section of the journey.
Passengers travelling specifically from the Kayole/Kangundo Road side can also use the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital Transport Guide as part of the wider Eastlands hospital transport network.
Travelling From South B and South C
Passengers travelling from South B or South C generally need to cross central Nairobi before continuing towards Pangani, Muthaiga and Mathari.
The journey can generally be understood as:
South B/South C → Nairobi CBD/interchange → Pangani/Muthaiga → Mathari Hospital
For passengers travelling within the South B hospital network, Metros also has the Mater Hospital Transport Guide.
Mater Hospital and Mathari Hospital are separate destinations on opposite sides of central Nairobi, so passengers should ensure they are boarding for the correct hospital.
Travelling From Nairobi West and Lang’ata
Passengers approaching from Nairobi West, Lang’ata or the wider southern Nairobi corridor generally need to connect towards northern Nairobi.
A typical journey is:
Nairobi West/Lang’ata → Nairobi CBD → Pangani/Muthaiga → Mathari Hospital
For the Nairobi West hospital zone, see the Nairobi West Hospital Transport Guide.
Travelling From Mbagathi and Ngumo
Passengers coming from the Mbagathi, Ngumo or KNH area need to cross towards northern Nairobi.
The general journey is:
Mbagathi/Ngumo → CBD/interchange → Pangani/Muthaiga → Mathari Hospital
Metros has dedicated guides covering both the Mbagathi Hospital transport network and Kenyatta National Hospital transport network.
These links are useful for understanding the southern side of a cross-city hospital journey.
Travelling From Ngong Road and Kilimani
Passengers travelling from Kilimani, Hurlingham, Kawangware, Dagoretti or the Ngong Road corridor generally need to connect towards northern Nairobi.
A typical journey is:
Ngong Road → CBD/interchange → Pangani/Muthaiga → Mathari Hospital
For the first section of this journey, use the Ngong Road Transport & Matatu Connections Guide.
Passengers travelling from around Coptic Hospital can also consult the Coptic Hospital Transport Guide.
Where to Alight for Mathari Hospital
The most appropriate alighting point depends on the service, direction of travel and the road being used.
Passengers should tell the conductor clearly:
“Mathari Hospital.”
Ask for the closest convenient alighting point before boarding.
This is particularly important because many vehicles travelling through the wider Pangani, Muthaiga and Thika Road transport zone continue much farther north or south.
Muthaiga and Pangani as Interchange Areas
For many passengers, understanding the Muthaiga/Pangani transport zone is more useful than searching for a single matatu route number.
A journey to the hospital can often be conceptualised as:
Origin → Major Nairobi Corridor → Pangani/Muthaiga → Mathari Hospital
Passengers coming from Thika Road approach from the north, while passengers travelling from much of the rest of Nairobi may approach through the CBD, Ngara or Pangani.
Connections to the Metros Hospital Transport Network
Mathari Hospital is now part of the wider Metros Kenya hospital transport database.
Other hospital transport guides include:
Kenyatta National Hospital Transport Guide | The Nairobi Hospital Transport Guide | M.P. Shah Hospital Transport Guide | Mater Hospital Transport Guide | Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital Transport Guide | Nairobi West Hospital Transport Guide | Mbagathi Hospital Transport Guide | Aga Khan University Hospital Transport Guide | Coptic Hospital Transport Guide
The complete directory is available through Nairobi Hospitals & Emergency Services.
Matatu Routes, Stages and SACCOs
For the wider transport network, use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database.
Passengers looking for boarding points and interchange locations can use the Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages & Termini Guide.
Operator information is available through the Nairobi Matatu SACCOs, Routes & Destinations Directory.
Together, these databases allow a passenger to move from:
Hospital → Corridor → Stage → Matatu Route → Operator/SACCO → Destination
Matatu Fares to Mathari Hospital
Matatu fares vary depending on the passenger’s origin, route, traffic conditions, weather, passenger demand and time of travel.
Passengers travelling from distant areas may also need to pay separate fares when changing vehicles.
Fares vary and can change at any time.
Emergency Travel to Mathari Hospital
Ordinary public transport may be suitable for scheduled appointments, hospital visits and other non-emergency journeys.
For a serious or life-threatening emergency, do not delay appropriate emergency assistance while trying to find a matatu.
See the Nairobi Ambulance Services & Emergency Contacts Guide for emergency medical transport information.
Kenya’s national emergency numbers include 999 and 112.
Nairobi Emergency and Hospital Information
Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital forms part of Nairobi’s wider health and emergency-services network.
Use the Nairobi Hospitals & Emergency Services Guide to navigate the main hospital directory.
For emergency contacts and services across the capital, use the Nairobi Emergency Services Guide.
You can also access Nairobi Emergency Numbers, Nairobi Ambulance Services, Nairobi Police Stations and Nairobi Fire & Rescue Services through the wider Metros emergency information network.
