Route 38/39 serves commuters travelling from Nairobi towards Ruai, crossing through Eastlands before following the Kangundo Road corridor through Njiru. The service also provides useful connections towards the Eastern Bypass.

This route is particularly important for passengers travelling to Nairobi’s expanding eastern neighbourhoods, where Kangundo Road functions as one of the principal commuter corridors linking Eastlands with Njiru and Ruai.

For other Nairobi matatu numbers and destinations, commuters can explore the Metros Kenya route database.

Browse All Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers

The Route 38/39 Corridor

A simple way of understanding the journey is:

Nairobi → Eastlands → Kangundo Road → Njiru → Ruai

with connections available towards the Eastern Bypass.

Unlike some routes that terminate within Eastlands, Route 38/39 continues farther east towards Njiru and Ruai.

That makes the final destination particularly important when selecting a matatu.

From Nairobi Through Eastlands

The journey towards Ruai begins by passing through Nairobi’s wider Eastlands transport network.

Eastlands contains numerous residential areas and supports a large number of overlapping matatu services. A vehicle travelling east from Nairobi is therefore not necessarily going to Ruai.

Passengers making the longer journey should identify the service using both:

38/39 + RUAI

rather than relying solely on the general direction in which the vehicle is travelling.

Kangundo Road Defines the Journey

Once the journey moves farther east, Kangundo Road becomes the principal corridor associated with Route 38/39.

This road carries commuters between Nairobi’s established eastern neighbourhoods and rapidly developing areas farther from the city centre.

For passengers heading to Ruai, Kangundo Road is therefore one of the easiest geographical markers for understanding the route.

Commuters travelling to an intermediate destination along the corridor should give the conductor their specific stage or landmark.

Njiru Comes Before Ruai

Njiru is one of the most important areas served before Route 38/39 reaches Ruai.

For some passengers, Njiru itself will be the destination. Others will remain aboard for the onward journey.

This means Route 38/39 can support both:

Nairobi → Njiru

and

Nairobi → Ruai

as well as shorter journeys along the Kangundo Road corridor.

Passengers travelling specifically to Njiru should confirm the appropriate alighting point with the conductor.

Ruai: The Main Destination

Continuing eastwards brings Route 38/39 to Ruai.

Ruai has grown considerably as a residential and commercial area, creating increased commuter movement between the neighbourhood and other parts of Nairobi.

For passengers making the full journey, the route can be remembered as:

Nairobi → Eastlands → Kangundo Road → Njiru → Ruai

Because Ruai contains different stages and local destinations, knowing the nearest landmark to your final destination can make the journey easier.

Connecting With the Eastern Bypass

Another useful feature of this corridor is its connection towards the Eastern Bypass.

The bypass provides links to other parts of eastern and northern Nairobi’s metropolitan road network.

For a passenger whose journey continues beyond the Route 38/39 corridor, this can create opportunities to transfer to another service.

However, passengers should confirm the appropriate interchange point rather than assuming Route 38/39 itself serves every destination along the Eastern Bypass.

Route 38/39 Has More Than One Useful Journey

The service can be useful for several origin-destination combinations along the corridor, including:

Nairobi → Eastlands

Nairobi → Njiru

Nairobi → Ruai

Njiru → Ruai

Kangundo Road → Ruai

and journeys requiring a connection towards the Eastern Bypass.

This makes Route 38/39 useful as both a CBD commuter service and a local connection within eastern Nairobi.

Heading Back: Ruai to Nairobi

In the opposite direction, the broad journey becomes:

Ruai → Njiru → Kangundo Road → Eastlands → Nairobi

Morning Nairobi-bound services may become particularly busy as commuters travel towards employment, education and commercial centres.

Later in the day, passenger movement generally increases in the Ruai-bound direction.

Traffic conditions along Kangundo Road and within Eastlands can affect the duration of either journey.

What About Route 38/39 Fares?

There is no single fare that should be assumed for every Route 38/39 passenger.

Someone travelling only part of the corridor may pay differently from a passenger continuing all the way to Ruai.

Demand and operating conditions can also influence fares.

Fares vary and can change at any time. Confirm the amount being charged before boarding.

Route 38/39 Commuter Snapshot

Remember Route 38/39

Route 38/39 = Nairobi ↔ Ruai

Via Eastlands → Kangundo Road → Njiru → Ruai

For passengers travelling beyond Nairobi’s inner Eastlands neighbourhoods, Kangundo Road, Njiru and Ruai are the key identifiers, while the Eastern Bypass connection provides access to the wider eastern Nairobi transport network.