There are several matatu routes you can use when going to Karen. The matatu from Nairobi CBD to Karen usually park at the Kencom Bus Station, on the side of Moi Avenue. The matatu route number is 24.
Where to find Matatu to Karen
Do not confuse yourself as KenCom is a large bus stage. On the Hilton side are several buses that ply Ngong’ Road, to places like Kenyatta National Hospital, Kawangware, and Ngumo.
Just walk to the other side of the KenCom building, which has ATMs. You will see shoe shiners going about their business, just adjacent to Moi Avenue.
Next to these shoe shiners are buses that go to Karen stage and Karen Hardy. They are mostly Citi Hoppa buses.
Other stages you can alight at when you board this bus is anywhere along Ngong’ Rd; for instance Upper Hill, Coptic Hospital, Adams Arcade, Woodley, Jamhuri, Dagoretti Corner (this is different from Dagoretti Market), Junction Mall, Green House Mall, St Hannah School, among other places.
On a weekend, the Karen stage here is usually turned into a Maasai Market, where vendors sell cultural artifacts and African fashion clothes.
Alternatively, you can board a matatu going to Ngong’ town, and alight at Karen stage. These matatus can be found at Railways Bus Station.
While the matatus at and buses at KenCom are usually quiet, orderly and take a long time to fill, those at Railways Bus Station are somehow chaotic. In fact, very few of them stop completely for you to board. Before you know it, they will be on their way back to Ngong’. So don’t wait, just board as the touts call out.
Getting to Karen from Waiyaki Way and Nakuru Highway
If you find yourself in places along Waiyaki Way, such as Westlands, then you can board a matatu to Karen right at Westlands stage, near One Place Africa building.
Alternatively, you can board a matatu along Waiyaki Way / Nakuru Highway and alight at 87 Junction Stage. From there, board a tuktuk plying Muhuri Rd and alight at Dagoretti Market, where you will find a matatu to Karen stage.
