Nairobi, the bustling capital of Kenya, faces significant traffic challenges as it grows. In 2024, the primary mode of transportation remains the car, with over half of commuters relying on it. Public transportation, particularly buses, also plays a crucial role, while walking is a common choice for short distances. The city's traffic inefficiency and CO2 emissions are areas of concern.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time in Nairobi is approximately 52.65 minutes, with significant time spent driving and waiting.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 53.5 minutes traveling, with additional time waiting, making it a lengthy option.
  • Car - Car users experience a commute time of around 47.76 minutes, primarily spent driving.
  • Walking - Walking is a viable option for short distances, with an average time of 49.4 minutes for a 4.48 km journey.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
52%
Bus
31%
Walking
8%
Home
5%
Motorcycle
3%
Bicycle
2%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to increase during the rainy season due to poor road conditions. Holiday seasons see a decrease in traffic as many residents travel out of the city.

Commuter Pain Points

Long waiting times for buses and frequent traffic jams are major frustrations for Nairobi commuters. Poor road conditions and lack of pedestrian infrastructure make walking challenging in some areas.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 8 PM are generally the best times to avoid heavy traffic. Midday travel can also be less congested, particularly for short trips.

Event Impacts

Public events, such as marathons and political rallies, can significantly disrupt traffic flow in Nairobi. Planning alternative routes during such events is advisable to avoid delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Nairobi is investing in green public transport solutions, including electric buses, to reduce emissions. The city is also promoting carpooling and ride-sharing to decrease the number of vehicles on the road.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have become increasingly popular, offering flexible commuting options and reducing the need for personal vehicles. These services help alleviate parking issues and can contribute to lower traffic congestion.

Traffic Rankings

Nairobi ranks 1st on the Traffic rankings in Kenya. The Traffic Index for Kenya combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Kenya, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.

Worst to BestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 65 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
10.9 miles
Walking
6.7 mins
Waiting
1.8 mins
Driving Car
26.5 mins
Bus / Trolley
17.3 mins
Bicycle
0.1 mins
Motorcycle
0.2 mins
Other
0.1 mins
Total:
52.7 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
11.5 miles
Walking
6.4 mins
Waiting
5.7 mins
Bus / Trolley
53.5 mins
Other
0.3 mins
Total:
65.8 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
12.4 miles
Walking
1.2 mins
Driving Car
47.8 mins
Total:
49.0 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
2.8 miles
Walking
49.4 mins
Driving Car
4.0 mins
Total:
53.4 mins
Nairobi Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Improving public transportation infrastructure could reduce reliance on cars and lower emissions.

Encouraging alternative transportation methods, such as cycling, could help alleviate traffic congestion.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Nairobi's CO2 emissions index is notably high at 7772.32, indicating significant environmental impact.

Efforts to reduce emissions are critical as the city continues to expand.

Time

The time index of 52.65 reflects the extended periods commuters spend in transit.

Reducing commute times could improve quality of life and productivity.

Inefficiency

The traffic inefficiency index stands at 281.29, highlighting the need for better traffic management solutions.

Addressing inefficiencies could alleviate congestion and reduce travel times.