Daystar University Athi River Main Campus is located at the foot of the Lukenya Hills, approximately 40 kilometres from Nairobi CBD. The campus is reached from the Nairobi–Mombasa Road corridor, with the university stating that the campus itself is about 5 kilometres from the Mombasa Road junction. (Daystar University)
For commuters, the journey can broadly be understood as:
Nairobi CBD → Mombasa Road → Athi River/Lukenya area → Daystar turn-off → Daystar University Main Campus
For connections from other parts of Nairobi, commuters can first identify the appropriate route using the Metros Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database:
Where is Daystar University Athi River Campus?
Daystar University’s Main Campus is in Athi River, on the slopes of the Lukenya Hills southeast of Nairobi.
Location: Athi River/Lukenya area
County: Machakos County
Distance from Nairobi: Approximately 40 km
Main highway: Nairobi–Mombasa Road
Distance from Mombasa Road junction: Approximately 5 km
Major landmark: Lukenya Hills
Daystar confirms that Athi River is its Main Campus, while its other Nairobi Campus is at the Valley Road/Ngong Road junction. (Daystar University)
How to Get to Daystar University Athi River from Nairobi CBD
Public transport passengers should first travel from Nairobi towards the Athi River/Mombasa Road corridor.
Depending on the vehicle and service available, commuters can use public transport heading towards destinations such as Athi River or Machakos and confirm with the conductor whether the vehicle provides access to the Daystar/Lukenya turn-off.
The main journey is:
Nairobi CBD → Mombasa Road → Mlolongo/Athi River corridor → Daystar turn-off → Daystar University
Because the campus is approximately 5 kilometres off the main Mombasa Road junction, passengers should not assume that a normal Mombasa Road matatu will take them directly to the university gate. (Daystar University)
Confirm both the drop-off point and onward connection before boarding.
The Daystar Turn-Off from Mombasa Road
The university’s September 2026 orientation directions provide particularly useful information for identifying the turn-off.
Daystar states that commuters approaching from the Nairobi/Athi River direction should take the appropriate turn after Greenpark Estate, around the KeNHA bridge area. The university places the campus approximately 5 kilometres from this junction. (Daystar University)
This means students using public transport should tell the conductor they are travelling to:
Daystar University Athi River / Daystar turn-off / Lukenya
rather than simply asking for Athi River town.
From Athi River Town to Daystar University
Passengers who first travel to Athi River may need a local connection towards the Daystar/Lukenya area.
The university is not in Athi River town centre itself.
Before beginning the second leg, ask the local driver or conductor specifically for:
Daystar University Main Campus
Because local transport arrangements can change, confirm the fare and whether the vehicle reaches the university gate before boarding.
From Mlolongo to Daystar University
Passengers travelling from Mlolongo should use an outbound service towards the Athi River/Lukenya section of Mombasa Road.
The broad journey is:
Mlolongo → Athi River corridor → Daystar turn-off → Daystar University
Depending on the available service, a change may be required to cover the approximately 5-kilometre section between the highway and the campus.
From Machakos to Daystar University
Passengers approaching from Machakos should look for transport towards the Athi River/Mombasa Road corridor and confirm the most convenient drop-off for Daystar University.
Daystar’s current directions note that motorists approaching from the Machakos direction pass the relevant KeNHA bridge and use a U-turn to return towards the Daystar turn-off. (Daystar University)
Public transport passengers should therefore tell the conductor their final destination is Daystar University, not simply Athi River.
From Other Parts of Nairobi
Students travelling from Kasarani, Githurai, Westlands, Kawangware, Umoja, Kayole, Embakasi or other parts of Nairobi will generally need to connect with the Mombasa Road/Athi River corridor.
A typical journey is:
Origin → Nairobi CBD or suitable interchange → Mombasa Road → Daystar turn-off → Daystar University
The first part of the journey can be planned using:
Commuters can also use the Metros guide to Nairobi’s main stages and termini when identifying where to make their connection:
Does Daystar Provide Student Transport?
Yes. Daystar says transport is available for day scholars studying at the Athi River Campus from Nairobi and nearby towns, although charges and arrangements are communicated by the university. (Daystar University)
For the September 2026 semester orientation, Daystar announced that university buses would leave its Nairobi Campus at 6:30am and return from the Athi River Campus at 5:00pm, unless otherwise communicated. Students being picked up along Mombasa Road were directed to contact the university’s Transport Department. (Daystar University)
Because university shuttle schedules can change between semesters, students should confirm the current timetable directly with Daystar rather than treating these times as permanent.
Daystar Athi River Campus or Nairobi Campus?
Students should check their admission letter, timetable or appointment carefully because Daystar operates two distinct campuses.
Daystar Athi River Main Campus
Athi River/Lukenya area, approximately 40 kilometres from Nairobi.
Daystar Nairobi Campus
Valley Road/Ngong Road junction, opposite The Nairobi Hospital.
The journeys are completely different.
The Nairobi Campus is an inner-city destination accessible through the Valley Road/Ngong Road public transport network, while the Main Campus requires travel along the Mombasa Road/Athi River corridor. (Daystar University)
This article should therefore be cross-linked with the Metros guide:
Daystar University Nairobi Campus: Location and How to Get There by Matatu
On-Campus Accommodation
Unlike the Nairobi Campus, the Athi River Campus provides on-campus student accommodation.
Daystar lists both full-board hostels and self-catering hostel units at the Main Campus. (Daystar University)
This is relevant to transport planning because residential students may travel between Nairobi and the campus less frequently than day scholars.
Matatu Fare to Daystar University Athi River
Public transport fares along the Mombasa Road/Athi River corridor vary according to the boarding point, traffic, passenger demand, time of day and the local connection used after leaving the highway.
Students should therefore confirm:
Nairobi → Daystar turn-off fare
and, where necessary,
Daystar turn-off → campus fare
before beginning the journey.
Avoid relying on an old quoted fare because commuter prices can change.
How Long Does It Take?
The campus is approximately 40 kilometres from Nairobi CBD, so students should allow considerably more travel time than they would when travelling to Daystar’s Nairobi Campus. (Daystar University)
Traffic along Mombasa Road, Mlolongo and Athi River can significantly affect journey times.
For examinations, registration, orientation, interviews and other fixed appointments, travelling early is advisable.
Daystar University Athi River Campus Contact
Daystar lists the following Main Campus contacts:
Daystar University Main Campus, Athi River
P.O. Box 17-90145
Athi River, Kenya
Telephone: +254 709 972 000
Telephone: +254 716 170 313
Daystar’s general contacts also include +254 748 100 759. (Daystar University)
Other University Transport Guides
This article forms part of the Metros Universities and Colleges in Nairobi and the Nairobi metropolitan area database.
The series includes guides to:
University of Nairobi Main Campus
Technical University of Kenya
Kenyatta University Main Campus
JKUAT Nairobi CBD Campus
Strathmore University
USIU-Africa
KCA University
Multimedia University of Kenya
Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Co-operative University of Kenya
Daystar University Nairobi Campus
Daystar University Athi River Main Campus
For Nairobi-wide public transport connections:
Daystar University Athi River Campus in One Line
Daystar University Athi River Main Campus — Lukenya/Athi River, approximately 40 kilometres from Nairobi and about 5 kilometres off the Mombasa Road junction. (Daystar University)
From Nairobi, travel along the Mombasa Road–Athi River corridor, ask for the Daystar/Lukenya turn-off, and confirm the local connection to the university before travelling.
