Gikomba Market is one of Nairobi’s major trading destinations and a particularly important market for second-hand clothes, shoes, household goods and other merchandise. Located east of Nairobi CBD in the Pumwani/Kamukunji area, the market is connected to the city centre and Eastlands through several public transport corridors.
For commuters unfamiliar with Nairobi, Gikomba is relatively close to the CBD, but its large trading area means knowing where to alight and which side of the market you need can make the journey considerably easier.
Commuters travelling from other parts of Nairobi can first use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify their connection towards the CBD, Eastlands or Gikomba.
Where is Gikomba Market?
Gikomba Market is located in Kamukunji, east of Nairobi CBD, around the Pumwani and Majengo area.
Important roads and transport corridors around the market include:
Pumwani Road
Digo Road
Landhies Road
Quarry Road
Pumwani Road is particularly important because it connects the Gikomba area towards Landhies Road, Machakos Country Bus and Nairobi CBD. (UoN eRepository)
Major landmarks around the wider area include Muthurwa Market, Machakos Country Bus, City Stadium, Pumwani and Landhies Road.
How to Get to Gikomba Market from Nairobi CBD
Gikomba is close enough to Nairobi CBD that commuters have several public transport options.
One of the established direct services is Route 7, which operates between the city centre and the Gikomba area. Current public transport data also identifies Route 3N among services terminating around Gikomba. (Moovit)
The general journey is:
Nairobi CBD → Landhies/Pumwani area → Gikomba Market
When boarding, tell the conductor:
Gikomba
Because the market covers a substantial area, commuters looking for a particular section should also tell the conductor what they intend to buy or which landmark they are looking for.
Which Matatus Go to Gikomba Market?
Several services either terminate at Gikomba or pass close enough for passengers to access the market.
Current transport data identifies Routes 7, 3N, 28 and 41 among the particularly useful services around Gikomba and its terminals. (Moovit)
Route 28 connects the Gikomba area with Kariobangi, while Route 41 provides a connection towards Dandora. (Moovit)
Numerous Eastlands services also pass close to the wider market area through stops around Nacico, City Stadium and Muthurwa. These include services associated with Umoja, Kayole, Buruburu, Pipeline, Ruai and Industrial Area corridors. (Moovit)
This makes Gikomba accessible without necessarily travelling deep into Nairobi CBD first.
Gikomba Market Matatu Terminal
Gikomba has its own public transport terminal area.
Current transit information places the Gikomba stop immediately next to the terminal, with Pumwani Stage also within a short walking distance. (Moovit)
This terminal is particularly useful for passengers travelling between Gikomba and destinations such as Kariobangi and Dandora.
Commuters should confirm the destination with the conductor because several services operate within the surrounding Pumwani and Eastlands network.
How to Get to Gikomba from Kariobangi
Route 28 provides one of the clearest public transport connections between Kariobangi and Gikomba.
The service operates through the wider Kariobangi–Huruma–Eastleigh–Gikomba corridor. (BusMaps)
Passengers travelling from Kariobangi should look for vehicles displaying Gikomba as their destination.
This direct connection makes Gikomba particularly accessible for shoppers and traders travelling from northeastern Nairobi.
How to Get to Gikomba from Dandora
Passengers travelling from Dandora can use Route 41, which is associated with the Dandora–Gikomba connection. (Moovit)
Tell the conductor you are travelling to Gikomba Market and confirm the most convenient alighting point for the section of the market you need.
How to Get to Gikomba from Umoja and Kayole
Commuters coming from Umoja and Kayole have numerous services travelling towards Nairobi through the Jogoo Road and Eastlands transport network.
Several services serving these corridors stop around Nacico, City Stadium or Muthurwa, from where Gikomba can be reached on foot or through a short local connection. Current transit data identifies services including 35/60, 19-series and 1960 around the wider market access area. (Moovit)
Metros commuters can use the Route 35/60 Nairobi–Umoja Jogoo Road Guide and Route 1960 Nairobi–Kayole Jogoo Road Guide to understand these corridors.
How to Get to Gikomba from Buruburu
Passengers travelling from Buruburu can use services heading towards Nairobi through Jogoo Road.
Route 58 is among the services operating on the Buruburu–Jogoo Road corridor and is identified among services stopping around the wider Gikomba access area. (Moovit)
See the Route 58 Nairobi–Buruburu Jogoo Road Guide for the wider route.
Depending on the service, commuters can alight around City Stadium, Muthurwa or another convenient Gikomba-area stop and continue towards the market.
How to Get to Gikomba from Embakasi and Pipeline
Passengers travelling from Embakasi and Pipeline can use Nairobi-bound services through the Eastlands transport network and alight around the Muthurwa, City Stadium or Landhies Road area where appropriate.
Current transit data identifies Route 33DP, associated with Pipeline, among services stopping near the market around City Stadium/Muthurwa. (Moovit)
Passengers should tell the conductor that they are travelling to Gikomba so they can be advised on the most convenient stop.
From Industrial Area to Gikomba Market
Gikomba is also relatively accessible from Nairobi’s Industrial Area.
Services operating through Lunga Lunga Road and the Industrial Area corridor, including Route 70/71, reach the Muthurwa side of the wider Gikomba area. (Moovit)
For this connection, see the Route 70/71 Nairobi–Industrial Area–Lunga Lunga Guide.
From Muthurwa, commuters can continue towards Gikomba on foot or use a short local connection depending on their destination within the market.
From Other Parts of Nairobi
Passengers travelling from places such as Kasarani, Githurai, Westlands, Kawangware, Rongai or Ngong may find it easier to travel towards Nairobi CBD and then connect to Gikomba.
The general journey is:
Origin → Nairobi CBD → Gikomba-bound matatu → Gikomba Market
The Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database can be used to identify the first leg of the journey.
Where Should You Alight for Gikomba Market?
The best alighting point depends on where your vehicle approaches the market and which section you intend to visit.
Useful public transport stops around the wider market include:
Gikomba
Gikomba Market Terminal
Pumwani Stage
Nacico
Muthurwa
City Stadium
Current transit data shows that different routes serve different stops, so passengers should not assume every Gikomba-area vehicle uses the same stage. (Moovit)
Tell the conductor you are going to Gikomba Market before reaching the area.
Can You Walk to Gikomba from Nairobi CBD?
Gikomba is relatively close to Nairobi CBD, and walking may be possible for people familiar with the area.
However, first-time visitors carrying goods or unfamiliar with the CBD–Landhies–Pumwani area will generally find public transport more straightforward.
For traders carrying bulky purchases, arranging appropriate transport from the market may also be more practical than walking back towards the CBD.
What Can You Buy at Gikomba Market?
Gikomba is particularly associated with second-hand clothing — commonly known as mitumba — and footwear, although the wider trading area contains many other categories of goods.
Different parts of the market specialise in different merchandise, so shoppers looking for a specific category should ask traders for directions once inside the market.
This is another reason why simply arriving at “Gikomba” may not be enough for a first-time visitor.
Matatu Fares to Gikomba Market
There is no single fixed fare to Gikomba from every part of Nairobi.
Fares depend on:
- Starting point
- Route used
- Time of day
- Traffic
- Passenger demand
- Weather
Confirm the fare with the conductor before boarding.
Best Time to Travel to Gikomba
Gikomba becomes extremely busy during active trading periods.
Commuters visiting specifically to shop should consider both traffic conditions and the type of merchandise they want to buy when planning their journey.
People unfamiliar with the market should also allow extra time for walking between different sections.
Gikomba and Nairobi’s Public Transport Network
Gikomba’s position between Nairobi CBD, Pumwani and Eastlands makes it an important commuter and commercial destination.
Its proximity to Landhies Road, Muthurwa, Jogoo Road and several Eastlands routes gives commuters multiple ways of reaching the market.
For the wider Nairobi network, see Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages and Termini.
Gikomba Market in One Line
Gikomba Market is located in the Pumwani/Kamukunji area east of Nairobi CBD and can be reached using direct Gikomba services such as Routes 7 and 3N, Route 28 from Kariobangi, Route 41 from Dandora, or through nearby Eastlands stops around Muthurwa, City Stadium and Nacico. (Moovit)
Last verified: September 2026
