Route 38 connects Nairobi with Njiru and Ruai through Jogoo Road, Outer Ring Road, Umoja and Kangundo Road. It serves commuters travelling from central Nairobi to the expanding residential, commercial and industrial areas of eastern Nairobi.
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Route 38 may also appear as part of the combined 38/39 service network. Passengers should confirm whether the vehicle terminates at Njiru, continues to Ruai or travels farther along Kangundo Road.
Route 38 Journey Overview
| Route information | Details |
|---|---|
| Route number | 38 |
| Main destinations | Njiru and Ruai |
| Principal corridors | Jogoo Road, Outer Ring Road and Kangundo Road |
| Key intermediate area | Umoja |
| General direction | Eastern Nairobi |
| Return direction | Ruai/Njiru–Nairobi |
Route 38 in One Line
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Outer Ring Road → Umoja → Kangundo Road → Njiru → Ruai
The exact roads and local stops may differ according to the operator, final destination and current traffic arrangements.
Finding the Correct Route 38 Vehicle
Passengers should look for destination displays such as:
- 38 – NJIRU
- 38 – RUAI
- 38/39 – RUAI
- A destination farther along Kangundo Road
Confirm the final terminus before paying the fare.
Where to Board Route 38
Route 38 matatus operate from Nairobi stages serving Eastlands, Kangundo Road, Njiru and Ruai.
CBD loading arrangements may change. Ask specifically for a Njiru- or Ruai-bound vehicle and confirm whether it uses the required route.
Jogoo Road
Jogoo Road carries Route 38 from Nairobi towards Eastlands.
The road is also used by services travelling to:
- Buruburu
- Donholm
- Umoja
- Kayole
- Embakasi
- Other eastern Nairobi estates
The shared corridor makes checking the destination board essential.
Outer Ring Road
Route 38 uses Outer Ring Road—often written by commuters as Outering Road—to connect with Umoja and the Kangundo Road corridor.
Outer Ring Road provides access to numerous Eastlands neighbourhoods and public transport connections.
Passengers should confirm the correct interchange if joining Route 38 from another estate.
Umoja
Umoja is an important residential and transport area along the Route 38 journey.
Passengers can connect from Umoja towards:
- Donholm
- Kayole
- Komarock
- Outer Ring Road
- Other Eastlands estates
Route 38 passengers continuing to Njiru or Ruai should confirm that the vehicle does not terminate in Umoja.
Kangundo Road
Kangundo Road is the principal outer corridor used towards Njiru and Ruai.
The road also carries services travelling farther east to Kamulu, Joska, Malaa and other metropolitan communities.
Passengers should tell the conductor their exact stage because destinations become increasingly spread out along the corridor.
Njiru
Njiru is one of the primary destinations served by Route 38.
The area contains residential estates, businesses, industrial premises, schools and local transport stages.
Some vehicles terminate in Njiru. Passengers continuing to Ruai should confirm that the matatu proceeds farther along Kangundo Road.
Ruai
Ruai is the farthest main destination in this Route 38 guide.
It is an important residential, commercial and transport centre with connections towards Kamulu, Joska, the Eastern Bypass and surrounding communities.
Passengers should identify their exact Ruai stage or nearby landmark.
Choosing Between Njiru and Ruai Services
| Vehicle display | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Njiru | Likely terminates before Ruai |
| Ruai | Continues beyond Njiru |
| 38/39 | Confirm the destination and local route |
| Kamulu/Joska | May continue beyond Ruai |
Passengers should not assume every Route 38 matatu reaches Ruai.
Route 38 and Route 38/39
Routes 38 and 39 are often grouped as Route 38/39 within the Kangundo Road network.
Operating patterns may vary by:
- Final destination
- Estate roads served
- Nairobi boarding stage
- Intermediate stops
- Operator or SACCO
The destination displayed is the most reliable guide.
Important Route Connections
Jogoo Road: Buruburu, Makadara, Donholm and other Eastlands services.
Outer Ring Road: Umoja, Embakasi, Kayole and neighbouring estates.
Umoja: Kayole and Komarock connections.
Kangundo Road: Njiru, Ruai, Kamulu and Joska services.
Ruai: Eastern Bypass and outer metropolitan connections.
Return Journey to Nairobi
The return journey generally follows:
Ruai → Njiru → Kangundo Road → Umoja → Outer Ring Road → Jogoo Road → Nairobi
Passengers should confirm whether the vehicle enters Nairobi CBD or terminates at Muthurwa or another interchange.
Morning demand is generally heavier towards Nairobi, while evening services become busier towards Njiru and Ruai.
Route 38 Travel Time
There is no fixed
Route 38 Nairobi to Njiru and Ruai: Matatu Stops and Guide
Route 38 connects Nairobi with Njiru and Ruai through Jogoo Road, Outer Ring Road, Umoja and Kangundo Road. It serves commuters travelling from central Nairobi to residential, commercial and employment destinations across the eastern metropolitan corridor.
← View all Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
Some vehicles may display Route 38/39 instead of Route 38 alone. Passengers should confirm that the matatu serves Njiru or Ruai and establish whether it terminates before their intended destination.
Route 38 Journey Overview
| Route information | Details |
|---|---|
| Route number | 38 or 38/39 |
| Main destinations | Njiru and Ruai |
| Major corridors | Jogoo Road and Kangundo Road |
| Key connection | Outer Ring Road |
| Important intermediate area | Umoja |
| Return direction | Ruai/Njiru–Nairobi |
Outer Ring or Outering Road?
The official name is Outer Ring Road, although many commuters search for and pronounce it as Outering Road.
Both terms refer to the same major eastern Nairobi transport corridor.
Identifying the Correct Vehicle
Passengers should look for destination displays such as:
- 38 – NJIRU
- 38 – RUAI
- 38/39 – RUAI
- Another destination along Kangundo Road
A Njiru-bound vehicle may terminate before Ruai. Confirm the final stage before boarding.
Boarding Route 38 in Nairobi
Route 38 matatus operate from Nairobi stages serving Jogoo Road, Umoja, Kangundo Road and eastern metropolitan destinations.
Loading arrangements may change. Ask specifically for a Njiru- or Ruai-bound vehicle rather than requesting Route 38 generally.
Simplified Route 38 Journey
The main route is:
Nairobi → Jogoo Road → Outer Ring Road connection → Umoja → Kangundo Road → Njiru → Ruai
The precise local roads used around Umoja and Outer Ring Road may differ between operators.
Jogoo Road
Jogoo Road carries Route 38 eastwards from central Nairobi.
The road is shared by services serving:
- Buruburu
- Jericho
- Donholm
- Umoja
- Kayole
- Embakasi
- Kangundo Road destinations
Passengers should check the displayed destination because many vehicles initially travel in the same direction.
Outer Ring Road Connection
Outer Ring Road links Route 38 with several major Eastlands neighbourhoods and transport corridors.
Passengers may connect towards:
- Donholm
- Umoja
- Kayole
- Embakasi
- Dandora
- Airport-area services
- Other eastern Nairobi destinations
A change of vehicle may be required depending on the destination.
Umoja
Umoja is an important residential and interchange area along the Route 38 corridor.
Passengers travelling to Umoja should identify the estate section or nearest landmark. Those continuing to Njiru or Ruai should confirm that the vehicle proceeds towards Kangundo Road.
Kangundo Road
Kangundo Road is the principal outer corridor used towards Njiru and Ruai.
The road also carries matatus continuing beyond Ruai to destinations such as Kamulu, Joska, Malaa and Kantafu.
Passengers should select a vehicle according to the final destination displayed.
Njiru
Njiru is one of the principal destinations served by Route 38.
The area contains residential estates, businesses, schools, industrial facilities and local public transport stages.
Passengers should specify the exact Njiru stage because some vehicles may terminate here while others continue to Ruai.
Ruai
Ruai is the farthest main destination covered in this Route 38 guide.
The area is a major residential, commercial and transport centre along Kangundo Road. It provides onward connections to:
- Kamulu
- Joska
- Malaa
- Eastern Bypass
- Other metropolitan communities
Passengers should confirm whether Ruai is the final terminus or an intermediate stage.
Choosing Between Njiru and Ruai Vehicles
| Your destination | What to board |
|---|---|
| Umoja | A vehicle serving the correct Umoja section |
| Kangundo Road | Confirm the nearest main-road stage |
| Njiru | A Njiru- or Ruai-bound vehicle |
| Ruai | A vehicle explicitly displaying Ruai |
| Kamulu/Joska | Confirm that the service continues beyond Ruai |
| Eastern Bypass | Ask for the most convenient interchange |
Route 38 and Route 38/39
Route 38 may operate independently or appear as part of the combined 38/39 designation.
Both are associated with the Njiru–Ruai–Kangundo Road corridor, but individual vehicles may differ in:
- Final destination
- Local estate roads
- Intermediate stages
- CBD boarding point
- Operating times
The destination board remains the most reliable guide.
Useful Connections
Jogoo Road: Buruburu, Jericho and Donholm services.
Outer Ring Road: Embakasi, Dandora, Kayole and airport-area routes.
Umoja: Local estate services and connections towards Kayole.
Njiru: Local residential and industrial destinations.
Ruai: Eastern Bypass, Kamulu, Joska and farther Kangundo Road services.
Return Journey to Nairobi
The general return journey is:
Ruai/Njiru → Kangundo Road → Umoja → Outer Ring Road connection → Jogoo Road → Nairobi
Passengers should confirm whether the vehicle enters Nairobi CBD or terminates at Muthurwa or another interchange.
Morning services towards Nairobi can become crowded. Evening demand generally increases towards Njiru and Ruai.
Route 38 Travel Time
There is no fixed journey time.
Travel conditions are affected by:
- Congestion on Jogoo Road
- Outer Ring Road traffic
- Delays around Umoja
- Conditions along Kangundo Road
- Traffic in Njiru and Ruai
- Roadworks, incidents and rainfall
- Heavy passenger demand
Passengers travelling the full distance to Ruai should allow additional time.
Route 38 Matatu Fares
Fares depend on the boarding point, destination, time and passenger demand. Fares vary and can change at any time.
Confirm whether the fare is for Njiru, Ruai or a destination farther along Kangundo Road.
Route 38 Commuter Tips
- Confirm whether the vehicle displays Route 38 or 38/39.
- Check whether it terminates at Njiru or continues to Ruai.
- Tell the conductor your exact Kangundo Road stage.
- Do not assume every Ruai vehicle continues to Kamulu or Joska.
- Confirm the Nairobi-bound return terminus.
- Allow extra time for the long Eastlands journey.
Why Route 38 Is Important
Route 38 extends Nairobi’s public transport network from the CBD through Eastlands to Njiru and Ruai. It links major residential areas with the Kangundo Road corridor and provides onward connections to rapidly growing communities beyond Nairobi’s eastern boundary.
