Routes 71 and 72 serve the Lunga Lunga Road corridor through Likoni Road and the BAT area, providing access to Industrial Area and connections towards Donholm. The combined service is particularly important for employees travelling to factories, warehouses, workshops and other workplaces in eastern Nairobi.
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Lunga Lunga Road covers a large industrial area rather than one destination. Passengers should identify their workplace, nearest junction or recognised landmark before choosing a Route 71 or 72 vehicle.
Route 71/72 Corridor Summary
| Route information | Details |
|---|---|
| Route numbers | 71 and 72 |
| Main corridor | Lunga Lunga Road |
| Important approach | Likoni Road |
| Key landmark | BAT |
| Main employment zone | Industrial Area |
| Residential connection | Donholm |
| Return direction | Donholm/Industrial Area–Nairobi |
Simplified Route
The corridor can generally be understood as:
Nairobi CBD/Jogoo Road → City Stadium → Likoni Road → BAT → Lunga Lunga Road → Industrial Area connections → Donholm
The exact route depends on the vehicle, operator and final destination displayed.
Which Vehicle Should You Board?
Look for a matatu displaying one or more of the following:
- 71
- 72
- LUNGA LUNGA
- INDUSTRIAL AREA
- DONHOLM
Before boarding, ask whether the vehicle passes your specific section of Lunga Lunga Road.
Likoni Road
Likoni Road provides one of the main approaches into Industrial Area from Jogoo Road and City Stadium.
It connects passengers with Lunga Lunga Road, Enterprise Road and other roads serving factories, warehouses and commercial premises.
Passengers travelling to a business near Likoni Road should confirm whether they need to alight before the vehicle proceeds towards BAT.
BAT Landmark
BAT is a recognised commuter landmark within the industrial corridor.
Passengers commonly use it as a reference point when giving directions. However, a destination described as “near BAT” may still require a walk or connection to another road.
Tell the conductor whether BAT is your final stop or simply the nearest landmark.
Lunga Lunga Road
Lunga Lunga Road is the main focus of the combined Route 71/72 service.
The road serves:
- Factories
- Warehouses
- Workshops
- Distribution centres
- Offices
- Training institutions
- Connections to nearby residential areas
Passengers should know the company name or nearest junction because the distance between industrial properties can be considerable.
Industrial Area Connections
From Lunga Lunga Road, passengers may connect towards:
- Enterprise Road
- Likoni Road
- Kampala Road
- Commercial Street
- General Motors and Mombasa Road
- Mukuru and Sinai
- Other internal Industrial Area roads
Not every Route 71/72 vehicle enters each connecting road. A transfer or short walk may be necessary.
Continuing to Donholm
Some Route 71 and 72 vehicles continue beyond the industrial corridor towards Donholm.
Passengers travelling to Donholm should confirm that the vehicle does not terminate on Lunga Lunga Road or elsewhere within Industrial Area.
From Donholm, onward connections may be available towards Outer Ring Road, Umoja, Embakasi and neighbouring Eastlands estates.
Routes 71 and 72: Shared Corridor, Possible Variations
Routes 71 and 72 share the Lunga Lunga Road and Industrial Area corridor, but individual operators may differ in:
- CBD boarding point
- Roads used within Industrial Area
- Intermediate stages
- Donholm entry point
- Final terminus
- Operating hours
The best vehicle is the one whose conductor confirms the passenger’s destination.
Travelling from Donholm to Lunga Lunga Road
The reverse journey can generally be understood as:
Donholm → Industrial Area connection → Lunga Lunga Road → BAT → Likoni Road
Employees travelling from Donholm should confirm the closest stage to their workplace before boarding.
Travelling from Lunga Lunga Road to Nairobi
The Nairobi-bound journey generally follows:
Lunga Lunga Road → BAT → Likoni Road → City Stadium/Jogoo Road → Nairobi CBD
Passengers should confirm whether the vehicle enters the CBD or terminates at an interchange outside central Nairobi.
Workplace Commuter Patterns
Passenger demand is shaped by Industrial Area working hours.
Morning: Heavier movement towards Lunga Lunga Road and Industrial Area.
Evening: Increased demand towards Donholm, Eastlands and Nairobi CBD.
Shift changes: Factories may create additional busy periods outside conventional rush hours.
Expected Travel Conditions
Journey times are influenced by:
- Heavy trucks and delivery vehicles
- Factory opening and closing times
- Traffic around City Stadium
- Congestion along Likoni Road
- Loading activity on Lunga Lunga Road
- Roadworks and drainage conditions
- Traffic approaching Donholm
Employees should allow extra travel time when reporting for a fixed shift.
Route 71/72 Fare Guidance
The fare depends on the boarding point, destination, route variant and time of travel. Fares vary and can change at any time.
Confirm whether the quoted fare covers the complete journey to Donholm or only the Industrial Area section.
Before Travelling
- Save the name and location of your destination.
- Identify the nearest main-road junction.
- Confirm whether Route 71 or 72 passes the location.
- Ask whether the vehicle continues to Donholm.
- Plan for a possible walk or transfer.
- Confirm the return stage before leaving the vehicle.
Why the Route 71/72 Corridor Is Important
Routes 71 and 72 provide essential access to Lunga Lunga Road and the wider Industrial Area employment zone. Their onward connection towards Donholm helps link workplaces with residential communities across eastern Nairobi.
