City Market Nairobi is one of the best-known markets in Nairobi CBD. Located along Muindi Mbingu Street, the market is within walking distance of several major city-centre landmarks and public transport stages, making it accessible from virtually every part of Nairobi.
Unlike Gikomba, Marikiti and Muthurwa, City Market sits inside the central business district. For most commuters, the easiest journey is therefore to take a matatu or bus into Nairobi CBD and walk from the nearest convenient stage to the market.
Commuters can use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify the appropriate service from their neighbourhood into the city centre.
Where is City Market Nairobi?
City Market is located along Muindi Mbingu Street in Nairobi CBD.
The market occupies a central location close to major streets including Kenyatta Avenue, Market Street and Koinange Street.
Useful nearby landmarks include:
Jeevanjee Gardens
Jamia Mosque
Kenyatta Avenue
University Way
Moi Avenue
For someone unfamiliar with Nairobi CBD, Muindi Mbingu Street is the most useful location reference when asking for directions.
How to Get to City Market from Nairobi CBD
If you are already within Nairobi CBD, you generally do not need another matatu to reach City Market.
Walk towards Muindi Mbingu Street and follow directions for City Market.
From the central Moi Avenue/Kenyatta Avenue area, the market is within the walkable CBD street network.
This distinguishes City Market from destinations such as Gikomba, where commuters may need to travel beyond the central business district.
Which Matatu Goes to City Market Nairobi?
There is no single matatu route that every commuter needs to use for City Market.
Because the market is located inside Nairobi CBD, the appropriate route depends on where your journey begins.
The simplest approach is:
Your neighbourhood → Nairobi CBD → walk to Muindi Mbingu Street → City Market
Passengers should therefore choose a matatu that brings them to a convenient CBD terminus or stage.
The Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages and Termini guide can help commuters understand the different boarding and alighting areas within central Nairobi.
From Kasarani to City Market
Passengers travelling from Kasarani can use Nairobi-bound matatus operating through the Thika Road corridor.
After reaching Nairobi CBD, continue on foot towards Muindi Mbingu Street.
Depending on the service used, passengers may arrive around the Moi Avenue, Tom Mboya Street or central CBD stage network.
From there, ask for directions towards City Market or Muindi Mbingu Street.
From Githurai to City Market
Passengers travelling from Githurai can use Nairobi-bound services through Thika Road.
The general journey is:
Githurai → Thika Road → Nairobi CBD → Muindi Mbingu Street → City Market
The Route 44 Nairobi–Githurai–Kahawa West Guide provides useful context for one of the services connecting the wider Githurai area with central Nairobi.
From Umoja to City Market
Passengers from Umoja can travel into Nairobi through the Jogoo Road corridor.
The broad journey is:
Umoja → Jogoo Road → Nairobi CBD → City Market
The Route 35/60 Nairobi–Umoja Jogoo Road Guide provides more information about this corridor.
Once in the CBD, continue on foot towards Muindi Mbingu Street.
From Kayole to City Market
Passengers travelling from Kayole can use Nairobi-bound services through Umoja and Jogoo Road.
A typical journey is:
Kayole → Umoja → Jogoo Road → Nairobi CBD → City Market
See the Route 1960 Nairobi–Kayole Jogoo Road Guide for one of the relevant connections.
From Buruburu to City Market
Buruburu commuters can travel into central Nairobi through Jogoo Road and then walk to City Market.
The journey broadly follows:
Buruburu → Jogoo Road → Nairobi CBD → Muindi Mbingu Street
The Route 58 Nairobi–Buruburu Jogoo Road Guide provides additional information about this corridor.
From Kawangware to City Market
Passengers travelling from Kawangware have several public transport connections into Nairobi CBD.
Once the matatu reaches its CBD terminus, continue on foot towards Muindi Mbingu Street.
The Route 2 Nairobi–Kawangware–Waithaka Guide provides one useful route reference for commuters approaching central Nairobi from the western side of the city.
From Ongata Rongai to City Market
Passengers travelling from Ongata Rongai can use Nairobi-bound matatus through the Magadi Road–Lang’ata Road corridor.
The general journey is:
Ongata Rongai → Lang’ata Road → Nairobi CBD → City Market
The Route 125 Nairobi–Ongata Rongai Matatu Guide provides the wider Rongai connection.
After arriving in the CBD, walk towards Muindi Mbingu Street.
From Westlands to City Market
Passengers coming from Westlands can use Nairobi CBD-bound public transport along the Waiyaki Way/Westlands corridor.
Because City Market is centrally located, commuters should alight at a convenient CBD stage and walk towards Muindi Mbingu Street.
The journey can generally be understood as:
Westlands → Nairobi CBD → Muindi Mbingu Street → City Market
From Gikomba Market to City Market
Gikomba lies east of Nairobi CBD while City Market is inside the central business district.
A commuter travelling between the two therefore moves broadly:
Gikomba → Landhies Road/CBD → City Centre → Muindi Mbingu Street
For the first market, see Gikomba Market: Location, Matatu Routes and How to Get There.
Shoppers visiting both markets should remember that they serve different commercial areas and are not adjacent.
From Wakulima Market to City Market
Wakulima Market, commonly known as Marikiti, lies on the eastern edge of the CBD around Haile Selassie Avenue and Muthurwa.
From Marikiti, commuters can continue towards central Nairobi and then walk to Muindi Mbingu Street.
See Wakulima Market (Marikiti): Location, Matatu Routes and How to Get There for the Marikiti side of the journey.
From Muthurwa Market to City Market
Muthurwa is also located east of the core CBD.
The broad direction is:
Muthurwa → Haile Selassie Avenue/CBD → central Nairobi → Muindi Mbingu Street → City Market
See Muthurwa Market: Location, Matatu Routes and How to Get There for detailed access to Muthurwa.
These links begin connecting Nairobi’s major commercial destinations into a single commuter network rather than treating each market in isolation.
Where Should You Alight for City Market?
The best alighting point depends on the route you use to enter Nairobi CBD.
Useful CBD reference points include areas around:
Moi Avenue
Tom Mboya Street
Kenyatta Avenue
University Way
From the appropriate CBD stage, continue on foot towards Muindi Mbingu Street.
Do not necessarily take another matatu simply because your first vehicle does not stop directly outside City Market. In many cases, walking through the CBD is faster and more practical.
Can You Walk to City Market from National Archives?
Yes. If your matatu leaves you around the National Archives/Moi Avenue area, City Market is within the central Nairobi walking network.
From the Moi Avenue side, proceed towards the Muindi Mbingu Street/Kenyatta Avenue area.
For first-time visitors, asking for City Market or Muindi Mbingu Street is usually sufficient once you are within the CBD.
Can You Walk to City Market from Odeon?
Yes. Odeon is another useful CBD transport landmark for commuters arriving from several Nairobi neighbourhoods.
From the Odeon/Tom Mboya Street area, City Market can be reached on foot by heading towards Muindi Mbingu Street.
This makes Odeon particularly useful as a transport reference rather than requiring passengers to find a vehicle travelling directly to the market entrance.
What Can You Buy at City Market Nairobi?
City Market contains traders dealing in several categories of goods and food.
It is particularly associated with:
- Fresh meat
- Fish and other food products
- Fruits and vegetables
- Flowers
- Handicrafts and souvenirs
- Clothing and accessories
- Other retail merchandise
Its central location also makes the market accessible to office workers, residents, tourists and shoppers already conducting business within Nairobi CBD.
City Market vs Gikomba
The two markets serve different shopping patterns.
City Market is located inside Nairobi CBD along Muindi Mbingu Street.
Gikomba Market is located east of the CBD around the Kamukunji/Pumwani area and is particularly associated with the second-hand clothing trade.
See Gikomba Market: Location, Matatu Routes and How to Get There for the Gikomba transport guide.
City Market vs Marikiti
City Market should also not be confused with Wakulima Market, commonly known as Marikiti.
City Market: Muindi Mbingu Street, Nairobi CBD.
Wakulima/Marikiti: Haile Selassie Avenue/Muthurwa area, particularly associated with wholesale fresh produce.
The two markets are within the wider central Nairobi commercial zone but occupy different locations.
Matatu Fare to City Market
Because City Market is inside Nairobi CBD, the fare depends primarily on the commuter’s journey into the city centre.
There is therefore no separate standard “City Market fare.”
Matatu fares vary according to the starting point, time of day, traffic, passenger demand and weather.
Confirm the fare with the conductor before boarding.
City Market and Nairobi’s Public Transport Network
City Market’s biggest transport advantage is its central location.
Most commuters can use the following model:
Neighbourhood → appropriate Nairobi matatu route → CBD stage → walk to City Market
This means the market connects naturally with dozens of Nairobi public transport routes without requiring a dedicated City Market matatu.
Use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify the appropriate service from your neighbourhood.
City Market Nairobi in One Line
City Market Nairobi is located along Muindi Mbingu Street in Nairobi CBD and can be reached by taking public transport into the city centre and walking from a convenient CBD stage such as the Moi Avenue, Tom Mboya Street, Kenyatta Avenue or University Way areas.
Last verified: September 2026
