Wakulima Market, commonly known as Marikiti, is one of Nairobi’s major fresh-produce markets. Located off Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi Central Ward, the market is an important destination for traders, retailers, restaurants and households buying fruits, vegetables, potatoes and other farm produce. Nairobi City County identifies Wakulima/Marikiti as a food market with capacity for about 2,000 traders. (ArcGIS StoryMaps)
Its location close to Muthurwa Market, Landhies Road, Nairobi Railway Station and the wider CBD transport network makes it accessible from many parts of Nairobi.
Commuters travelling from outside the city centre can use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify the most convenient route into the CBD or Eastlands before connecting to Marikiti.
Where is Wakulima Market?
Wakulima Market is located along Wakulima Lane, off Haile Selassie Avenue, on the eastern side of Nairobi’s city centre. It sits immediately beside the Muthurwa area and close to Landhies Road. (Waze)
The main location references are:
Market: Wakulima Market / Marikiti
Area: Nairobi Central/Muthurwa
Main road: Haile Selassie Avenue
Nearby road: Landhies Road
Nearby market: Muthurwa Market
Nearby transport landmark: Nairobi Railway Station
The market is also relatively close to Machakos Country Bus Station, making it important to traders arriving with produce or travelling onward to destinations outside Nairobi. (The Eastleigh Voice)
Is Marikiti the Same as Wakulima Market?
Yes. Marikiti is the commonly used name for Wakulima Market.
Nairobi City County itself identifies the facility as Wakulima Market, commonly known as Marikiti. (ArcGIS StoryMaps)
This means commuters asking for either Marikiti or Wakulima Market are referring to the same major fresh-produce market.
For public transport, however, saying Marikiti/Wakulima Market near Muthurwa can make your destination clearer.
How to Get to Wakulima Market from Nairobi CBD
Wakulima Market is located immediately outside the eastern side of the core CBD, making the journey relatively short.
From central Nairobi, commuters can travel towards:
Haile Selassie Avenue → Muthurwa/Landhies Road → Wakulima Market
Depending on where you are in the CBD, you may use a short matatu connection or walk towards the Haile Selassie Avenue/Muthurwa side of the city.
The market’s proximity to Nairobi’s major CBD termini means passengers arriving from other neighbourhoods may not need a second long matatu journey.
Which Matatus Can You Use to Reach Marikiti?
Because Wakulima Market sits immediately beside the CBD and Muthurwa transport network, numerous Nairobi routes can bring passengers within walking distance of the market.
The most useful service depends on where the journey begins.
Passengers travelling from Eastlands can use services approaching Nairobi through the Jogoo Road–Landhies Road/Muthurwa corridor.
Those travelling from other areas can connect through the CBD and continue towards Haile Selassie Avenue.
Use the Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages and Termini guide to understand the major CBD boarding and alighting areas.
From Umoja to Wakulima Market
Passengers travelling from Umoja can use Nairobi-bound services operating through the Jogoo Road corridor.
The general journey is:
Umoja → Jogoo Road → City Stadium/Muthurwa → Wakulima Market
The Route 35/60 Nairobi–Umoja Jogoo Road Guide provides the wider transport connection between Umoja and central Nairobi.
Passengers should ask the conductor for the most convenient stop for Muthurwa or Marikiti rather than travelling unnecessarily farther into the CBD.
From Kayole to Wakulima Market
Kayole commuters can also approach Marikiti through the Jogoo Road network.
The broad journey is:
Kayole → Umoja → Jogoo Road → Muthurwa → Wakulima Market
The Route 1960 Nairobi–Kayole Jogoo Road Guide is one of the relevant Metros guides for understanding this corridor.
From the Muthurwa area, Wakulima Market is within the immediate commercial district.
From Buruburu to Wakulima Market
Passengers from Buruburu can use Nairobi-bound matatus travelling through Jogoo Road.
Depending on the particular service, commuters can alight around the Muthurwa/City Stadium side and continue towards Wakulima Market.
See the Route 58 Nairobi–Buruburu Jogoo Road Guide for the wider Buruburu connection.
From Industrial Area to Wakulima Market
Passengers coming from Nairobi’s Industrial Area have a relatively direct connection towards the Muthurwa side of the city.
Services operating through the Industrial Area–Lunga Lunga–Muthurwa network can bring commuters close to Marikiti.
The Route 70/71 Nairobi–Industrial Area–Lunga Lunga Guide provides additional information for commuters using this corridor.
From Gikomba Market to Wakulima Market
Gikomba and Wakulima are separate markets, although both are located east of Nairobi CBD.
Gikomba lies farther into the Kamukunji/Pumwani commercial area, while Wakulima Market is closer to Muthurwa and Haile Selassie Avenue.
A commuter moving between the two can travel through the Landhies Road/Muthurwa area, depending on the precise starting point.
See the Gikomba Market: Location, Matatu Routes and How to Get There guide for the Gikomba side of the journey.
This connection will become particularly useful as Metros builds the wider Nairobi markets database.
From Other Parts of Nairobi
Passengers coming from Kasarani, Githurai, Westlands, Kawangware, Ngong, Rongai, Ruaka or other areas can generally travel towards Nairobi CBD first.
The journey can be simplified as:
Origin → Nairobi CBD → Haile Selassie Avenue/Muthurwa → Wakulima Market
Because Marikiti is near the CBD, commuters should ask conductors whether they can alight at a convenient point around Railways, Haile Selassie Avenue, Muthurwa or Landhies Road rather than making an unnecessary additional connection.
Can You Walk to Wakulima Market from Nairobi CBD?
Yes. Depending on your starting point, walking from parts of Nairobi CBD to Wakulima Market is practical.
The market sits off Haile Selassie Avenue and is close to the railway and Muthurwa areas. Historical and current location sources consistently place it on the eastern edge of the central city. (UoN eRepository)
However, shoppers carrying heavy produce may prefer public transport or another suitable means of transport for the return journey.
Wakulima Market and Muthurwa Market
Wakulima and Muthurwa are neighbouring markets, but commuters should not confuse the two.
Wakulima/Marikiti is strongly associated with wholesale and retail fresh produce.
Muthurwa Market is a separate commercial market located along the Landhies Road side of the same wider trading district.
Mapping data places the two markets only a short distance apart. (Mapcarta)
This makes the area an important commercial interchange for shoppers and traders moving between Nairobi CBD and Eastlands.
What Can You Buy at Wakulima Market?
Wakulima is primarily a fresh-food market.
Nairobi City County identifies Irish potatoes as a major commodity and also lists vegetables, fruits and tubers among the foods traded there. (ArcGIS StoryMaps)
Other produce available through the wider wholesale market has historically included cereals, bananas, cassava, peas, garlic and various vegetables. (UoN eRepository)
The market therefore attracts both individual shoppers and traders purchasing produce for resale elsewhere in Nairobi.
What Time Does Wakulima Market Open?
Nairobi City County’s food-market information lists Wakulima Market as operating from approximately 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (ArcGIS StoryMaps)
Activity begins very early because of the market’s wholesale role.
For commuters, this means a trip to Marikiti can involve travelling during Nairobi’s early-morning transport period.
Operating arrangements can change, so traders planning a specific visit should confirm current market hours.
Matatu Fares to Wakulima Market
There is no single fare for travelling to Marikiti because commuters arrive from different parts of Nairobi.
The fare will depend on:
- Starting point
- Route
- Time of travel
- Traffic conditions
- Passenger demand
- Weather
Confirm the fare before boarding.
Travelling With Produce from Marikiti
Passengers purchasing large quantities of fruits, vegetables or other produce should consider how they will transport their purchases before travelling.
Wakulima’s wholesale function means traders frequently move significant quantities of produce into and out of the market. Handcarts are also a longstanding part of the market’s distribution network. (The Eastleigh Voice)
A normal commuter matatu may therefore be suitable for a shopper carrying a small quantity but less practical for a trader transporting bulky merchandise.
Wakulima Market in Nairobi’s Transport Network
Marikiti occupies a strategically useful position between Nairobi CBD, Muthurwa, Landhies Road and Eastlands.
That gives commuters two broad approaches:
CBD approach: Nairobi CBD → Haile Selassie Avenue → Marikiti
Eastlands approach: Eastlands → Jogoo Road/Landhies Road → Muthurwa → Marikiti
For passengers starting elsewhere in Nairobi, the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database can help identify the appropriate first leg of the journey.
Wakulima Market in One Line
Wakulima Market, commonly known as Marikiti, is a major fresh-produce market located off Haile Selassie Avenue beside Muthurwa on the eastern edge of Nairobi CBD. (ArcGIS StoryMaps)
Commuters can reach it from the CBD through Haile Selassie Avenue or from Eastlands through the Jogoo Road–Muthurwa/Landhies Road transport network.
Last verified: September 2026
