Nairobi Matatu Route 45 connects Nairobi CBD with Githurai 45 through the Thika Road corridor. The route serves commuters travelling to areas including Ruaraka, Roysambu and Githurai, with some services continuing towards Kahawa and Kenyatta University.
Route 45 is one of the major public transport services operating along Thika Road and is particularly useful for commuters travelling between Nairobi CBD and Githurai 45.
Route 45 Quick Information
Route Number: 45
Route: Nairobi CBD – Githurai 45
Origin: Nairobi CBD
Main Destination: Githurai 45
Main Corridor: Thika Road
CBD Boarding Area: Ronald Ngala Street / Tom Mboya Street area
Major Areas Served: Pangani, Muthaiga, Ruaraka, Roysambu and Githurai
Extended Services: Kahawa / Kenyatta University on some services
Return Destination: Nairobi CBD
Where to Board Route 45 in Nairobi CBD
Route 45 matatus travelling towards Githurai can be found around the Ronald Ngala Street and Tom Mboya Street area of Nairobi CBD.
Route listings have traditionally placed the Githurai 45 boarding point around Ronald Ngala Street, including the area opposite the Ronald Ngala Post Office.
Exact loading positions can change depending on traffic management arrangements and operators, so commuters should check the vehicle destination or confirm with the conductor before boarding.
Route 45 from Nairobi to Githurai
Route 45 leaves Nairobi CBD and travels towards Githurai using the Thika Road corridor.
The principal journey can be understood as:
Nairobi CBD → Ngara → Murang’a Road → Pangani → Muthaiga → Thika Road → Ruaraka → Roysambu → Githurai 45
Some Route 45 services are listed as continuing beyond Githurai towards Kahawa and Kenyatta University.
Passengers travelling farther than Githurai should therefore confirm the final destination displayed by the particular vehicle before boarding.
Major Route 45 Stops and Areas Served
Nairobi CBD
Nairobi CBD is the main starting area for outbound Route 45 services travelling towards Githurai.
Ngara / Pangani
Route 45 uses the northern approach out of central Nairobi before joining the Thika Road corridor.
Muthaiga
The service passes through the Muthaiga section before continuing north along Thika Road.
Ruaraka
Ruaraka is one of the major areas served along the Route 45 Thika Road corridor.
Roysambu
Route 45 serves Roysambu before continuing towards Githurai.
Githurai 45
Githurai 45 is the principal destination associated with Route 45.
It is important for passengers to distinguish Githurai 45 services from Route 44 services serving Githurai 44 and Kahawa West.
Kahawa / Kenyatta University
Some Route 45 services are listed as continuing from Githurai through the Kahawa area towards Kenyatta University (KU).
Passengers travelling to KU should confirm that the particular Route 45 vehicle continues beyond Githurai before boarding.
Roads Used by Route 45
The major roads and corridors associated with Route 45 include:
Murang’a Road → Thika Road
The service uses the Thika Road corridor through areas including Ruaraka and Roysambu before reaching Githurai.
Does Route 45 Pass Ruaraka?
Yes. Route 45 serves Ruaraka along the Thika Road corridor while travelling towards Githurai.
Does Route 45 Pass Roysambu?
Yes. Roysambu is one of the major areas served by Route 45 before the service continues towards Githurai.
Does Route 45 Go to Githurai?
Yes. Route 45 is one of Nairobi’s established Githurai services, with Githurai 45 being its principal destination.
Passengers should check whether they require Githurai 44 or Githurai 45, because these areas are served by different route patterns.
Route 44 vs Route 45
Although Routes 44 and 45 both use the Thika Road corridor, commuters should not treat them as identical services.
Route 44 is associated with Zimmerman, Githurai 44 and Kahawa West.
Route 45 is associated primarily with Githurai 45, with some services continuing towards Kahawa and Kenyatta University.
Always check the destination displayed on the matatu before boarding.
Does Route 45 Go to Kenyatta University?
Some Route 45 services are listed as operating from Nairobi through Githurai and Kahawa towards Kenyatta University.
Passengers travelling to KU should confirm that the particular vehicle continues to Kenyatta University rather than terminating at Githurai.
Route 45 Return Journey to Nairobi CBD
Passengers travelling from Githurai 45 towards Nairobi can use Route 45 services operating in the Nairobi-bound direction.
The return journey follows the Thika Road corridor towards Ruaraka, Muthaiga, Pangani and central Nairobi.
Passengers should confirm the final CBD drop-off point with the operator because individual services and traffic arrangements can differ.
Route 45 Matatu Fare
Route 45 fares vary according to the passenger’s boarding point and destination, as well as traffic conditions, demand and time of day.
Peak-hour and high-demand fares may differ from normal off-peak fares.
Commuters should confirm the current fare before boarding.
Route 45 Operating Times
Route 45 services operate between Nairobi CBD and Githurai throughout the day, although service frequency and individual departure times can vary.
Matatu services generally operate according to passenger demand rather than a single fixed public timetable.
Alternative Matatu Routes
Several other routes serve destinations along the Thika Road corridor.
Passengers travelling towards Githurai, Zimmerman, Kahawa West, Kasarani, Ruiru or Kenyatta University should choose their matatu according to the exact destination displayed on the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Route 45
Where does Route 45 go?
Route 45 connects Nairobi CBD with Githurai 45 through the Thika Road corridor.
Where do I board Route 45 in Nairobi?
Route 45 matatus can be found around the Ronald Ngala Street/Tom Mboya Street area of Nairobi CBD.
Does Route 45 use Thika Road?
Yes. Thika Road is the main transport corridor used by Route 45.
Does Route 45 pass Ruaraka?
Yes. Route 45 serves Ruaraka along Thika Road.
Does Route 45 pass Roysambu?
Yes. Route 45 serves Roysambu before continuing towards Githurai.
Does Route 45 go to Githurai 45?
Yes. Githurai 45 is the principal destination associated with Route 45.
Does Route 45 go to Kenyatta University?
Some Route 45 services continue through Githurai and Kahawa towards Kenyatta University. Confirm the final destination before boarding.
Route 45 at a Glance
Route: Nairobi CBD ↔ Githurai 45
Route Number: 45
Main Corridor: Thika Road
Key Areas: Pangani, Muthaiga, Ruaraka, Roysambu, Githurai
CBD Boarding Area: Ronald Ngala Street / Tom Mboya Street area
Main Destination: Githurai 45
Extended Destination: Kahawa / Kenyatta University on some services
Route stages, fares and operating arrangements can change. Metros Kenya periodically reviews its Nairobi matatu route information to help commuters access useful and up-to-date travel information.
