Toi Market is one of Nairobi’s best-known open-air markets, located in the Kibera area near the Ngong Road corridor and Adams Arcade. The market attracts shoppers looking for second-hand clothes, shoes, household items, accessories and other affordable merchandise.
For commuters, one of the most important public transport connections is Route 8, which Metros documents as travelling Nairobi CBD → Ngong Road → Adams Arcade → Toi Market → Kibera. (Metros Kenya)
For commuters starting elsewhere in Nairobi, the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database can help identify the first connection towards the CBD, Ngong Road or Kibera.
Where is Toi Market?
Toi Market is located within the wider Kibera/Ngong Road area of Nairobi.
Useful landmarks when travelling to the market include:
Adams Arcade
Ngong Road
Kibera
Jamhuri area
Adams Arcade is particularly useful because it is an important reference point along the Ngong Road transport network before Route 8 branches towards Toi Market and Kibera. (Metros Kenya)
For a first-time visitor, asking for “Toi Market, Kibera” is more precise than simply asking for Kibera.
How to Get to Toi Market from Nairobi CBD
One of the clearest public transport options from Nairobi CBD is Route 8.
The route can be remembered as:
Nairobi CBD → Ngong Road → Adams Arcade → Toi Market → Kibera
Passengers travelling specifically to the market should tell the conductor that they are going to Toi Market so they can be advised on the appropriate place to alight.
See the Route 8 Nairobi to Kibera / Toi Market: Matatu Guide via Ngong Road for the complete route. (Metros Kenya)
Where to Board for Toi Market in Nairobi CBD
The exact CBD boarding point can vary depending on the operator and current stage arrangements.
Look for vehicles serving Route 8 towards Kibera/Toi Market and confirm the destination with the conductor before boarding.
Because Nairobi CBD stage arrangements can change, commuters should avoid relying solely on an old stage location.
The key information to remember is:
Route 8 → Ngong Road → Adams Arcade → Toi Market → Kibera
Which Matatu Goes to Toi Market?
Route 8 is the principal Metros-documented route connecting Nairobi CBD directly with the Toi Market/Kibera corridor. (Metros Kenya)
Several other routes use parts of Ngong Road, but they continue towards different destinations.
The Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database lists Route 8 specifically for Kibera/Toi Market, while Routes 2, 2C, 3, 4C and 4W serve other destinations along the wider Ngong Road network. (Metros Kenya)
This means passengers should not board a vehicle merely because it is travelling along Ngong Road.
Confirm Toi Market or Kibera before boarding.
From Adams Arcade to Toi Market
Adams Arcade is one of the most important landmarks on the journey to Toi Market.
Route 8 travels through the Ngong Road corridor and Adams Arcade before continuing towards Toi Market and Kibera. (Metros Kenya)
Passengers already around Adams Arcade therefore do not need to travel back into Nairobi CBD.
Look for the appropriate service continuing towards Toi Market and confirm your destination with the conductor.
From Ngong Road to Toi Market
Passengers already travelling along Ngong Road can connect towards Toi Market through the Adams Arcade/Kibera side of the corridor.
However, not every Ngong Road matatu goes to Toi Market.
For example, Metros documents Route 2 towards Kawangware/Waithaka, while Route 8 branches towards Toi Market/Kibera. (Metros Kenya)
The destination displayed on the vehicle is therefore important.
From Kibera to Toi Market
Toi Market is one of the important commercial destinations within the wider Kibera area.
Passengers already in Kibera may be able to use a short local public transport connection or walk, depending on their particular neighbourhood.
Because Kibera covers a large area, use Toi Market as the specific destination rather than simply asking for Kibera.
Route 8 also works in the opposite direction, connecting Kibera → Toi Market → Adams Arcade → Ngong Road → Nairobi CBD. (Metros Kenya)
From Kawangware to Toi Market
Passengers coming from Kawangware should not automatically travel all the way into Nairobi CBD.
Kawangware is connected to the wider Ngong Road network, where passengers can make an appropriate connection towards Adams Arcade and Toi Market.
Metros’ matatu database identifies Route 2 as serving:
Nairobi → Ngong Road → Junction Mall → Dagoretti Corner → Kawangware → Waithaka. (Metros Kenya)
Passengers can use this wider corridor to plan an interchange towards Toi Market.
From Kilimani and Hurlingham to Toi Market
Kilimani and Hurlingham are relatively close to the Ngong Road transport corridor.
Passengers can connect towards Adams Arcade and continue to Toi Market without necessarily travelling through Nairobi CBD.
Metros documents several routes operating through the wider Kilimani, Hurlingham and Ngong Road network, including services connecting central Nairobi with Adams Arcade and destinations farther west or towards Kibera. (Metros Kenya)
Ask the conductor for the most convenient connection towards Toi Market.
From Kenyatta National Hospital to Toi Market
Passengers travelling from the Kenyatta National Hospital area can connect towards the Ngong Road/Kibera transport network.
Depending on the exact starting point, a connection through the nearby Ngong Road corridor may be more practical than travelling deep into the CBD first.
Passengers unfamiliar with the hospital’s wider transport network can use the Kenyatta National Hospital Transport Guide before connecting towards Toi Market.
From Umoja, Kayole and Buruburu to Toi Market
For passengers travelling from Eastlands, Nairobi CBD provides a straightforward interchange.
The general journey is:
Umoja/Kayole/Buruburu → Nairobi CBD → Route 8 → Ngong Road → Adams Arcade → Toi Market
Use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify the appropriate service from your neighbourhood into central Nairobi before connecting to Route 8.
From Kasarani and Githurai to Toi Market
Passengers travelling from the Thika Road corridor can also use Nairobi CBD as an interchange.
The journey can broadly be understood as:
Kasarani/Githurai → Thika Road → Nairobi CBD → Route 8 → Toi Market
Metros documents several Thika Road services into Nairobi, including Routes 44, 45, 49, 145 and 146, depending on the passenger’s starting point. (Metros Kenya)
Once in the CBD, connect to Route 8 towards Kibera and Toi Market.
From Ongata Rongai to Toi Market
Passengers travelling from Ongata Rongai can use public transport towards Nairobi and make the appropriate connection towards the Ngong Road/Kibera corridor.
For passengers unfamiliar with Nairobi’s cross-city connections, the simplest approach may be:
Ongata Rongai → Nairobi CBD → Route 8 → Toi Market
Metros documents Route 125 as connecting Ongata Rongai with Nairobi through Magadi Road, Multimedia University, Galleria, Bomas and Lang’ata Road. (Metros Kenya)
From central Nairobi, connect to Route 8.
From Other Parts of Nairobi
Passengers travelling from Westlands, Embakasi, Ruaka, Ruiru and other parts of the metropolitan area can generally use the same principle:
Origin → Nairobi CBD → Route 8 → Toi Market
For commuters who already have access to the Ngong Road network, an interchange around that corridor may avoid unnecessary travel into the CBD.
Use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify the most suitable first route.
Where Should You Alight for Toi Market?
Tell the conductor before reaching the area that you are travelling to Toi Market.
Route 8 serves Toi Market as one of its principal destinations before continuing into the wider Kibera area. (Metros Kenya)
Passengers should therefore avoid simply asking for Kibera, especially if unfamiliar with the neighbourhood.
Ask for the most convenient Toi Market alighting point.
What Can You Buy at Toi Market?
Toi Market is particularly known for second-hand clothing, commonly called mitumba in Kenya.
Shoppers may find merchandise including clothes, shoes, jackets, trousers, dresses, children’s clothing, bags, accessories and various household items.
Prices and stock vary between traders, and shoppers looking for particular items may need to explore different sections of the market.
Toi Market vs Gikomba Market
Both Toi and Gikomba are major Nairobi shopping destinations associated with affordable and second-hand merchandise, but they are in completely different transport zones.
Toi Market is in the Kibera/Ngong Road area.
Gikomba Market is east of Nairobi CBD around Kamukunji/Pumwani.
For commuters, this distinction matters because Toi is strongly connected to Route 8 and Ngong Road, whereas Gikomba is connected to the eastern CBD/Eastlands transport network.
See Gikomba Market: Location, Matatu Routes and How to Get There for the separate Gikomba guide.
Matatu Fare to Toi Market
There is no single permanent fare to Toi Market.
The amount depends on the passenger’s starting point, distance travelled, traffic, time of day, weather and passenger demand.
A passenger travelling only between Adams Arcade and Toi Market will not necessarily pay the same fare as someone travelling from Nairobi CBD.
Confirm the current fare before boarding.
How Long Does It Take to Get to Toi Market?
Journey time depends heavily on traffic along Ngong Road.
Peak-hour congestion can significantly increase travel time, particularly during morning and evening commuting periods.
Shoppers travelling for a specific appointment or meeting should allow additional time.
Toi Market and Nairobi’s Public Transport Network
Toi Market is particularly valuable within the Metros commuter database because an existing route guide already connects the destination directly with Nairobi’s wider transport network.
The core connection is:
Route 8 = Nairobi CBD → Ngong Road → Adams Arcade → Toi Market → Kibera. (Metros Kenya)
For connections beyond this corridor, commuters can use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database.
Toi Market in One Line
Toi Market is located in Nairobi’s Kibera area near the Ngong Road and Adams Arcade transport corridor. From Nairobi CBD, Route 8 provides one of the clearest public transport connections through Ngong Road and Adams Arcade to Toi Market and Kibera. (Metros Kenya)
Last verified: September 2026
