Nairobi Matatu Route 38/39 connects Nairobi CBD with Njiru and Ruai, serving several major Eastlands areas along the journey. The route travels via Jogoo Road, Donholm, Outering Road, Umoja and Kangundo Road before continuing towards Njiru and Ruai, making it an important public transport link between central Nairobi and the city’s eastern outskirts.
← View all Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
Route 38/39 is particularly useful for passengers travelling towards Donholm, Umoja, Njiru and Ruai. Because several matatu routes share sections of Jogoo Road and Outering Road, passengers travelling the full journey should confirm that the vehicle continues through Kangundo Road towards Njiru and Ruai before boarding.
Route 38/39 Quick Information
Route Number: 38/39
Route: Nairobi – Njiru / Ruai
Origin: Nairobi CBD
Main Destinations: Njiru and Ruai
Main Corridors: Jogoo Road / Outering Road / Kangundo Road
Key Areas: Donholm, Umoja, Njiru, Ruai
Return Direction: Ruai / Njiru – Nairobi
Where to Board Route 38/39 in Nairobi
Route 38/39 matatus heading towards Njiru and Ruai operate from central Nairobi alongside other public transport services serving Eastlands.
Passengers should look for vehicles displaying:
38/39 – NJIRU / RUAI
Some vehicles may display intermediate destinations depending on their operating pattern.
Passengers travelling all the way to Ruai should specifically confirm that the vehicle continues beyond Umoja and Njiru.
CBD matatu stages and loading arrangements can change, so commuters should confirm the current Route 38/39 boarding point before travelling.
Route 38/39 from Nairobi to Njiru / Ruai
Route 38/39 travels east from central Nairobi through some of the city’s busiest public transport corridors.
The simplified route is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Donholm → Outering Road → Umoja → Kangundo Road → Njiru → Ruai
Passengers can use Route 38/39 for the full journey or for shorter trips between areas along the corridor.
Passengers should tell the conductor their specific destination or landmark when boarding.
Major Route 38/39 Stops and Areas Served
Jogoo Road
Jogoo Road is one of the main corridors used by Route 38/39 when travelling from Nairobi towards Eastlands.
The road carries numerous matatu and bus routes serving different eastern Nairobi destinations.
Because several services share Jogoo Road before branching towards different estates, passengers should check both the route number and destination.
Traffic can become particularly heavy during weekday morning and evening rush hours.
Donholm
Donholm is one of the major areas served along Route 38/39.
The neighbourhood is an important residential and commercial centre within Eastlands and has strong public transport connections with Nairobi CBD.
Passengers travelling only as far as Donholm can use Route 38/39 for this section of the journey.
Those travelling farther towards Umoja, Njiru or Ruai should remain on the appropriate service.
Outering Road
Outering Road is another major corridor used by Route 38/39.
The road connects numerous Eastlands neighbourhoods and carries substantial volumes of public transport traffic.
It also provides interchange opportunities with matatus serving other parts of Nairobi.
Passengers making an onward connection should ask the conductor for the most convenient stage to change vehicles.
Umoja
Umoja is an important area along the Route 38/39 corridor.
Umoja is one of Nairobi’s large residential neighbourhoods and generates substantial commuter traffic throughout the day.
Passengers travelling to Umoja can use Route 38/39 for this section of the journey.
Those travelling farther towards Njiru and Ruai continue towards the Kangundo Road corridor.
Kangundo Road
Kangundo Road is a key corridor for Route 38/39 passengers travelling towards Njiru and Ruai.
The road provides one of the main transport links between inner Eastlands and residential areas farther east of Nairobi.
Route 38/39 joins this corridor after travelling through the wider Umoja area.
Passengers travelling towards Njiru and Ruai should confirm that their vehicle continues along Kangundo Road.
Njiru
Njiru is one of the principal destinations served by Route 38/39.
Njiru lies along the wider Kangundo Road corridor and has experienced substantial residential and commercial growth.
The area generates regular commuter traffic towards Nairobi CBD and other parts of Eastlands.
Passengers travelling specifically to Njiru should tell the conductor their preferred stage or landmark.
Ruai
Ruai is one of the main destinations associated with Route 38/39.
Located farther east along the Kangundo Road corridor, Ruai has become an important residential and commercial centre within the wider Nairobi metropolitan area.
Passengers travelling the full journey from Nairobi should confirm Ruai as their destination when boarding.
Because the corridor contains several intermediate stages, passengers should also tell the conductor the particular section of Ruai they need.
Route 38/39 Nairobi to Umoja
Passengers travelling from Nairobi to Umoja can use Route 38/39 for part of the journey.
The simplified section is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Donholm → Outering Road → Umoja
Umoja is served by several matatu routes, so passengers whose journey ends there may have multiple options.
Route 38/39 becomes particularly useful for passengers continuing farther towards Kangundo Road, Njiru and Ruai.
Route 38/39 Nairobi to Njiru
Passengers travelling from Nairobi to Njiru continue beyond Umoja towards Kangundo Road.
The simplified journey is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Donholm → Outering Road → Umoja → Kangundo Road → Njiru
Passengers should tell the conductor their particular Njiru stage or landmark.
Those travelling farther towards Ruai remain on the appropriate vehicle.
Route 38/39 Nairobi to Ruai
Passengers completing the full journey continue beyond Njiru towards Ruai.
The simplified route is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Donholm → Outering Road → Umoja → Kangundo Road → Njiru → Ruai
Passengers boarding in Nairobi should look specifically for a Route 38/39 vehicle displaying Ruai or confirm with the conductor that it continues to Ruai.
Route 38/39 Umoja to Njiru
Route 38/39 can also serve passengers travelling locally between Umoja and Njiru.
The simplified section is:
Umoja → Kangundo Road → Njiru
This provides a useful Eastlands connection without requiring passengers to travel through Nairobi CBD.
Passengers making shorter journeys should confirm their fare when boarding.
Route 38/39 Umoja to Ruai
Passengers travelling from Umoja towards Ruai can remain on the appropriate Route 38/39 service.
The simplified journey is:
Umoja → Kangundo Road → Njiru → Ruai
Passengers should confirm that the vehicle continues all the way to Ruai.
Route 38/39 Njiru to Ruai
Route 38/39 also serves shorter journeys between Njiru and Ruai.
The simplified section is:
Njiru → Ruai
Passengers travelling between the two areas should tell the conductor their specific destination or stage when boarding.
Route 38/39 and the Kangundo Road Corridor
Kangundo Road is one of eastern Nairobi’s major commuter corridors.
The road serves rapidly growing residential areas stretching from the inner Eastlands network towards Njiru and Ruai.
Route 38/39 provides a connection between this corridor and Nairobi CBD through Umoja, Outering Road, Donholm and Jogoo Road.
Traffic conditions along Kangundo Road can vary significantly, particularly during peak commuting periods.
Route 38/39 and the Ruai Commuter Corridor
Ruai has grown into an important residential area for people commuting towards other parts of Nairobi.
Morning passenger demand generally increases towards Nairobi CBD and employment centres closer to the city.
During the evening rush hour, demand increases towards Njiru and Ruai as commuters return home.
Route 38/39 forms part of the matatu network supporting these daily passenger movements.
Route 38/39 vs Route 35/60
Route 38/39 and Route 35/60 both serve parts of the wider Umoja corridor but have different main destinations.
Route 35/60
Route 35/60 primarily serves Umoja via Donholm, Tena and Mutindwa.
Route 38/39
Route 38/39 continues beyond the wider Umoja area through Kangundo Road towards Njiru and Ruai.
Passengers travelling beyond Umoja should therefore confirm that their vehicle continues towards their required destination.
Route 38/39 vs Route 19/60
Route 19/60 and Route 38/39 share sections of the wider Eastlands network before serving different destinations.
Route 19/60
Route 19/60 continues towards Umoja, Komarock and Kayole.
Route 38/39
Route 38/39 continues through Kangundo Road towards Njiru and Ruai.
Passengers should therefore choose according to whether their destination lies around Kayole or farther along the Njiru/Ruai corridor.
Route 38/39 vs Dandora-Bound Services
Route number 38/39 may also be associated with services within the wider Kariobangi and Dandora transport network.
For this reason, passengers should not rely on the route number alone.
When travelling from Nairobi towards Ruai, look for a vehicle clearly displaying NJIRU / RUAI and confirm the Kangundo Road corridor with the conductor.
Route 38/39 vs Route 33
Route 33 shares parts of the Jogoo Road, Donholm and Outering Road corridor before heading towards Fedha, Pipeline and Embakasi.
Route 38/39 instead continues towards Umoja, Kangundo Road, Njiru and Ruai.
Checking the final destination is therefore particularly important around shared sections of the journey.
Connecting from Route 38/39 to Other Eastlands Routes
Passengers can connect with other matatu services around Jogoo Road, Donholm, Outering Road, Umoja and the Kangundo Road corridor.
These connections provide access to other residential and commercial areas across eastern Nairobi.
Passengers making an onward journey should tell the conductor their final destination and ask for the most convenient interchange stage.
Route 38/39 Return Journey: Ruai / Njiru to Nairobi
Route 38/39 also carries passengers travelling from Ruai and Njiru towards Nairobi CBD.
The simplified return journey follows:
Ruai → Njiru → Kangundo Road → Umoja → Outering Road → Donholm → Jogoo Road → Nairobi
Morning services towards Nairobi can become particularly busy as commuters travel to workplaces, schools and businesses.
Evening services towards Njiru and Ruai can experience similarly high passenger demand.
Route 38/39 Matatu Fare
Route 38/39 fares depend on the distance travelled.
A passenger travelling from Nairobi to Donholm or Umoja may pay a different fare from someone continuing to Njiru or Ruai.
Shorter journeys between Umoja, Njiru and Ruai may also attract different fares.
Traffic congestion, passenger demand, weather and time of day can influence the amount charged.
Important: Nairobi matatu fares are not always fixed and can change at any time. Any Route 38/39 fare published in this guide should therefore be treated as an estimate rather than a guaranteed price.
Passengers should confirm the current fare with the conductor before boarding.
Route 38/39 Travel Time
There is no fixed travel time between Nairobi, Njiru and Ruai.
Journey times depend heavily on traffic conditions along Jogoo Road, around Donholm and Outering Road, and along the Kangundo Road corridor.
Morning and evening rush-hour congestion can significantly increase travel times.
Heavy rain, road works and traffic incidents may cause additional delays.
Passengers travelling for work, school or appointments should allow extra time during busy periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Route 38/39
Where does Route 38/39 go?
This Route 38/39 service connects Nairobi with Njiru and Ruai via Jogoo Road, Donholm, Outering Road, Umoja and Kangundo Road.
Does Route 38/39 go to Ruai?
Yes. Ruai is one of the main destinations associated with this Route 38/39 service.
Does Route 38/39 go to Njiru?
Yes. Route 38/39 serves Njiru before continuing towards Ruai.
Does Route 38/39 use Kangundo Road?
Yes. Kangundo Road is one of the main corridors used by Route 38/39 towards Njiru and Ruai.
Does Route 38/39 go through Umoja?
Yes. Route 38/39 serves the wider Umoja corridor before continuing towards Kangundo Road.
Does Route 38/39 go through Donholm?
Yes. Donholm is one of the major areas along the route.
Which matatu goes from Nairobi to Ruai?
Route 38/39 is one of the matatu route numbers serving Nairobi to Ruai through the Kangundo Road corridor.
Which matatu goes from Nairobi to Njiru?
Route 38/39 serves Nairobi to Njiru via Jogoo Road, Donholm, Outering Road, Umoja and Kangundo Road.
Can I use Route 38/39 from Umoja to Ruai?
Yes. Route 38/39 serves the wider Umoja–Kangundo Road–Njiru–Ruai corridor.
How much is Route 38/39 from Nairobi to Ruai?
Fares vary according to traffic conditions, passenger demand, weather and time of day. Passengers should confirm the current fare with the conductor before boarding.
Route 38/39 at a Glance
Route Number: 38/39
Route: Nairobi ↔ Njiru / Ruai
Main Destinations: Njiru and Ruai
Main Corridors: Jogoo Road / Outering Road / Kangundo Road
Key Areas: Donholm, Umoja, Njiru, Ruai
Related Routes: Route 35/60, Route 19/60 and Route 33
Return Direction: Ruai → Njiru → Kangundo Road → Umoja → Outering Road → Donholm → Jogoo Road → Nairobi
Route numbers, stages, fares, stops and operating patterns can change. Metros Kenya periodically reviews its Nairobi matatu route information to provide commuters with useful and up-to-date public transport information.
