Riara University is a private university located along Raila Odinga Road, formerly Mbagathi Way, in Nairobi. Its position on the Mbagathi Way corridor makes it accessible by public transport from Nairobi CBD and provides connections with Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Upper Hill, Ngumo, Kenyatta Market and surrounding areas. Riara University itself identifies public service vehicle Routes 16 and 34 as services that reach the university area. (Riara University)
For commuters, the journey can broadly be understood as:
Nairobi CBD → Upper Hill/KNH area → Raila Odinga Road (Mbagathi Way) → Riara University
For connections from other parts of Nairobi, use the Metros Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database:
Where is Riara University?
Riara University is located on Raila Odinga Road, formerly known as Mbagathi Way, Nairobi. The university continues to use Mbagathi Way in some of its official publications, while its current website identifies the road by its new name. (Riara University)
Location: Raila Odinga Road, formerly Mbagathi Way
City: Nairobi
Main transport corridor: Mbagathi Way/Raila Odinga Road
Nearby transport areas: KNH, Upper Hill, Ngumo and Kenyatta Market
The university’s position makes Mbagathi Way the most important public transport reference for first-time visitors.
How to Get to Riara University from Nairobi CBD by Matatu
Riara University specifically identifies public service vehicle Routes 16 and 34 as services commuters can use to reach the university area from Nairobi city centre. (Riara University)
When boarding, tell the conductor that you are travelling to:
Riara University, Mbagathi Way
This is preferable to simply asking for Mbagathi because the corridor contains several different destinations and stages.
The general journey is:
Nairobi CBD → Upper Hill/KNH connection → Mbagathi Way → Riara University
Other Matatu Routes Serving the Mbagathi Way Corridor
The wider Mbagathi Way corridor has several public transport services.
The Metros Nairobi Matatu Routes database currently identifies:
Route 16 — Nyayo Highrise
Travels through the Lang’ata Road/Mbagathi Way area.
Route 33 — Ngumo
Connects Nairobi CBD with Ngumo through the KNH and Mbagathi Way corridor.
Route 40 — Mbagathi/Ngumo
Connects Nairobi CBD with Mbagathi and Ngumo through KNH and Mbagathi Way. (Metros Kenya)
Not every vehicle using Mbagathi Way necessarily stops at the same point. If using one of these services, ask the conductor whether it passes Riara University before boarding.
See the Route 40 guide:
And Route 33 Ngumo:
Where to Board for Riara University in Nairobi CBD
Riara University’s own travel guidance says Routes 16 and 34 are available from their city-centre terminal. (Riara University)
However, CBD loading arrangements can change between operators.
The safest approach is to ask for a vehicle serving:
Mbagathi Way / Riara University
and confirm with the conductor before boarding.
For the wider network of Nairobi CBD stages and termini, use:
Where to Alight for Riara University
Tell the conductor you want to alight at Riara University.
Because the university sits directly on the Mbagathi Way/Raila Odinga Road corridor, using the university name as your landmark is preferable to requesting a general Mbagathi stop.
First-time visitors should also confirm the correct entrance after alighting.
From Kenyatta National Hospital to Riara University
Kenyatta National Hospital is an important transport interchange for the wider Mbagathi Way area.
Metros’ Route 40 guide shows the corridor continuing from the KNH area through Mbagathi Way towards Mbagathi and Ngumo. (Metros Kenya)
A commuter connecting around KNH should therefore look for a service continuing along Mbagathi Way and ask specifically for Riara University.
Metros has a dedicated KNH transport hub:
From Upper Hill to Riara University
Upper Hill also provides an important connection with Mbagathi Way.
Metros’ Upper Hill–Ngumo commuter guide identifies the general corridor as:
Upper Hill → KNH → Mbagathi Way → Mbagathi/Kenyatta Market → Ngumo. (Metros Kenya)
Passengers travelling from Upper Hill should therefore identify a service heading towards Mbagathi Way and confirm that it provides a convenient stop for Riara University.
From Ngumo to Riara University
Ngumo is directly connected with the wider Mbagathi Way transport network.
Route 33 Ngumo and Route 40 are among the services Metros identifies on this corridor. (Metros Kenya)
The journey can broadly be understood as:
Ngumo → Mbagathi Way → Riara University
Ask the conductor for the university rather than relying solely on the route number.
From Ongata Rongai to Riara University
Passengers travelling from Ongata Rongai approach Nairobi through the Magadi Road–Lang’ata Road corridor.
A useful strategy is to connect into the Mbagathi Way network through southern Nairobi rather than necessarily travelling deep into the CBD. Metros’ Rongai-to-KNH guide explains how the Rongai corridor connects with the Mbagathi Way, Ngumo, Nairobi West and Upper Hill transport network. (Metros Kenya)
For commuters unfamiliar with these interchanges, travelling into Nairobi CBD and taking a Riara/Mbagathi-bound service may be simpler.
From Other Parts of Nairobi
Students travelling from Kasarani, Githurai, Umoja, Embakasi, Kayole, Westlands or other areas can connect with the Mbagathi Way corridor.
A simple journey for someone unfamiliar with Nairobi is:
Origin → Nairobi CBD → Mbagathi Way service → Riara University
Use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify the first leg:
Riara University and Strathmore University
Riara University and Strathmore University are both important higher-education destinations within Nairobi’s wider southern inner-city transport network.
Strathmore is located in Madaraka along Ole Sangale Road, while Riara is on Mbagathi Way/Raila Odinga Road.
The universities are separate destinations, but both connect strongly with the Mbagathi Way, Madaraka, KNH and Nairobi West transport network.
See the Metros Strathmore University guide:
Matatu Fare to Riara University
Matatu fares between Nairobi CBD and Riara University can change depending on:
- Time of day
- Traffic
- Passenger demand
- Weather
- Operator
Passengers should confirm the fare before boarding rather than relying on an old quoted price.
How Long Does It Take to Get to Riara University?
Riara University’s official directions estimate that driving from Nairobi city centre can take under 20 minutes in favourable conditions, although actual public transport journey times can be considerably longer when Nairobi traffic is heavy. (Riara University)
Students travelling for examinations, interviews, registration or classes should allow additional time during morning and evening peak periods.
Riara University Contact Information
Riara University publishes the following contact information:
Riara University
Raila Odinga Road, formerly Mbagathi Way
P.O. Box 49940-00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: 0703 038 000
Email: info@riarauniversity.ac.ke
Admissions: admissions@riarauniversity.ac.ke (Riara University)
Other University Transport Guides
Riara University forms part of the growing Metros Universities and Colleges in Nairobi commuter database.
The series now includes:
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
Riara University
For Nairobi-wide route connections:
Riara University in One Line
Riara University — Raila Odinga Road, formerly Mbagathi Way, Nairobi.
From Nairobi CBD, Routes 16 and 34 are specifically identified by Riara University as public transport options serving the area. Other Mbagathi Way services can also be useful depending on their stopping pattern, so confirm Riara University with the conductor before boarding. (Riara University)
