Heading to a place in Nairobi for the first time can be a daunting task especially if you don't know where the matatu stages are.
Be it for a visit to a friend's place or an office for a job interview, getting the matatu stage can be the difference between getting to the place early or being totally frustrated.
Popular stages in Nairobi are Railways, OTC, KENCOM, Odeon, Commercial Muthurwa market bus terminus, Afya Center, Ambassador or Archives and River road.
Stages for matatus heading to the larger Eastlands area that is Buru Buru, Donholm, Pipeline, Kayole, Komarock and Dandora are located either downtown Nairobi (especially around OTC) or along Accra Road.
[caption caption="KBS Buses parked at Kencom in Nairobi in 2012"]
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If you are heading to Ngong Road, Citam/NPC Valley road, The Junction Mall, Dagoretti, you can pick a matatu route number 1 at General Post Office (GPO).
You board Citi Hoppa or KBS buses operating route number 7C heading to Community, Upper Hill Area, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Doctors Plaza Silver Springs hotel at Kencom House opp Hilton Hotel along Moi Avenue.
You can spot matatus heading to Eastleigh Area, Ngara Civil Servants Housing Scheme, K.I.E, Pangani Roundabout, Fig Tree Trade Center Ngara along Tom Mboya Street outside Old Nation House.
Matatus heading to Thika Road estates, Roysambu, Kasarani, Santon, Mwiki, Githurai 44 and 45 can be boarded either near former Tuskys Beba Beba or along Ronald Ngala street.
Before heading somewhere in Nairobi, it is advisable to countercheck with the destination and if possible get the exacts matatu route number that you are supposed to use.
Nairobians are generally helpful but you don't want to go around asking directions. You can ask guards outside buildings, conductors or drivers of matatus for directions to the stage.
And once you board the matatu, let the conductor know the location where you are alighting and request them remind you when you arrive.
Here's the full list of the matatu stages courtesy of Kenyayote:
