Route 106 connects Nairobi with the Ruaka–Banana Hill corridor, travelling through some of northern Nairobi’s major commercial and residential areas. The service follows Limuru Road, serving Village Market, Runda, Two Rivers and Ruaka before continuing onwards towards Banana Hill.

For passengers, one of the most useful things about Route 106 is the range of journeys it can serve. You don’t need to be travelling all the way to Banana Hill—the same service connects several major destinations along the way.

For more route numbers and destinations across Nairobi, use the Metros Kenya matatu route database.

Browse the Nairobi Matatu Routes Database

The Route 106 Corridor

Rather than thinking of Route 106 as simply a Banana Hill matatu, picture it as a chain of major destinations extending northwest from Nairobi:

Nairobi → Limuru Road → Village Market → Runda → Two Rivers → Ruaka → Banana Hill

This makes Limuru Road the backbone of the journey, while Ruaka acts as an important intermediate destination before the service continues towards Banana Hill.

Going to Village Market?

Village Market is one of the major commercial destinations associated with the Route 106 corridor.

Passengers travelling from Nairobi towards the shopping complex and surrounding Gigiri area can use Village Market as one of the most recognisable reference points along the journey.

If Village Market is your destination, tell the conductor when boarding rather than simply asking for a Ruaka or Banana Hill vehicle.

This helps ensure that the particular service and stopping point are appropriate for your journey.

The Runda Section

Route 106 also serves the Runda area as it progresses through northern Nairobi.

Runda covers a substantial area, so passengers travelling there should ideally know the nearest road, junction, gate or landmark associated with their destination.

This is particularly useful because saying “Runda” alone may not identify the most convenient point to alight.

For passengers continuing to Two Rivers, Ruaka or Banana Hill, Runda forms an intermediate section of the journey.

Two Rivers Is Another Major Route 106 Landmark

Farther along the corridor is Two Rivers, one of the easiest landmarks for passengers to identify.

The area generates passenger traffic from shoppers, employees, visitors and residents travelling between Nairobi and the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Route 106 therefore isn’t useful only as a residential commuter service—it also connects passengers with major commercial destinations along Limuru Road.

Banana Hill-bound passengers continue beyond this section towards Ruaka.

Ruaka: A Destination and a Gateway

Ruaka is one of the most important points on Route 106.

For many passengers, Ruaka itself is the destination. For others, it represents an intermediate point before continuing towards Banana Hill.

This dual role makes Route 106 useful for:

Nairobi → Ruaka

as well as:

Nairobi → Banana Hill

and shorter journeys between locations along the corridor.

Passengers going beyond Ruaka should specifically confirm that the vehicle continues towards Banana Hill.

Beyond Ruaka to Banana Hill

Route 106 continues onwards from the Ruaka side towards Banana Hill.

This is the part of the journey that differentiates a Banana Hill-bound passenger from someone whose trip ends at Ruaka.

The essential progression is:

Two Rivers → Ruaka → Banana Hill

If Banana Hill is your destination, confirm it before boarding, particularly where several services operate towards Ruaka but may not necessarily continue farther.

Route 106 Works for Several Different Commuters

A single Route 106 vehicle can carry passengers making very different journeys.

Someone may be heading to Village Market for work.

Another passenger may be travelling to Runda.

A shopper might be going to Two Rivers.

A Ruaka resident may be commuting home.

Another passenger may be travelling the longer distance to Banana Hill.

This is what makes Route 106 particularly useful: it connects a sequence of important destinations rather than serving only one residential terminus.

Travelling Back Towards Nairobi

For Nairobi-bound passengers, the broad direction reverses:

Banana Hill → Ruaka → Two Rivers → Runda → Village Market → Limuru Road → Nairobi

Morning services towards Nairobi can experience strong commuter demand as passengers travel from Banana Hill, Ruaka and surrounding areas towards workplaces, schools and businesses.

In the evening, passenger movement generally becomes heavier in the opposite direction.

What to Know About Route 106 Fares

The distance between boarding and alighting points is an important factor in the fare charged.

A passenger travelling from Nairobi to Village Market should not necessarily expect the same fare as someone continuing through Ruaka to Banana Hill.

Passengers making shorter trips between intermediate points may also encounter different fares.

Because matatu prices can change with passenger demand and operating conditions, confirm the current fare when boarding.

Traffic Can Change the Journey Considerably

Route 106 passes through a corridor that can experience significant traffic at different times of the day.

Conditions along Limuru Road and around major commercial and residential junctions can affect the overall journey time.

Passengers travelling to appointments, work or other time-sensitive engagements should allow additional time during peak commuting periods.

Route 106 Commuter Snapshot

Remember Route 106

The simplest way to learn this route is by its landmark sequence:

106 → Limuru Road → Village Market → Runda → Two Rivers → Ruaka → Banana Hill

For passengers travelling the full distance, the critical distinction is that Route 106 continues beyond Ruaka towards Banana Hill.