Nairobi, a City and COunty in Kenya, uses the Postal code system managed by the Postal Corporation of Kenya, which makes sending and receiving mail in all its 17 constituencies and more than 85 wards and other environs. Although many people know 00100, the postal code for the General Post Office on Haile Selassie Avenue, many places and areas in Nairobi County have other alternative Postal codes serving different Post offices.
When you’re filling out Online forms for KRA PIN registration, opening a bank account, or ordering from Jumia, and so many others, the postal code field often confuses people, especially for many Nairobi residents. Should you use 00100 for everything? What if you live in Karen or Westlands? It is recommended to use your Specific Postal Office code since it saves 1-3 days in mail delivery, because your letters go directly to your local post office instead of the crowded GPO downtown.
What is Nairobi’s Postal Code?
The main postal code for Nairobi is 00100. This code belongs to the General Post Office (GPO) located on Haile Selassie Avenue in the Central Business District. The Postal Corporation of Kenya, popularly known as Posta Kenya, operates this office as the headquarters for mail distribution across the country.
However, remember that Nairobi County has 45 post offices spread across different neighborhoods ( See below where we have detailed all the 45 post offices in Nairobi). Therefore, when you are addressing mail to Nairobi, you should always include the correct postal code for your specific area to ensure you get your mail and parcels on time. For example, if you live in Westlands, use the Westlands Post Office code, which is 00800, and so on.
Need to find your exact postal code? Use our homepage search tool to locate your area’s specific code instantly. Enter your neighborhood, estate, or post office name to get results.
Postal Codes vs ZIP Codes: What’s the Difference?
Many people use ZIP code and postal code interchangeably. There’s a reason for the confusion, but understanding the difference helps when you’re filling out international forms online.
ZIP codes are specific to the United States Postal Service. The term stands for Zone Improvement Plan, a system introduced in 1963 to improve mail sorting across America. U.S. ZIP codes can have 5 digits (like 10001 for New York) or 9 digits with an extended format (10001-1234).
Postal codes are used by most countries worldwide, including Kenya. Posta Kenya introduced Kenya’s postal code system in 1977 when the organization was still called Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC).
The terms mean the same thing functionally; both identify geographic areas for mail delivery. SO when you are using international platforms like Amazon, eBay, or PayPal that ask for your ZIP code during checkout, they’re really asking for your postal code. Just enter your Kenyan 5-digit code, like 00800 or 00502. Never write N/A,00000, or leave it blank. These invalid entries cause delivery delays or outright failures.
Complete List of All 45 Nairobi Post Offices
Below is the complete, official list of all 45 post offices operated by Posta Kenya in Nairobi County.
| No. | Post Office Name | Postal Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Post Office (GPO) | 00100 |
| 2 | Jamia Mosque | 00101 |
| 3 | State Law Office | 00102 |
| 4 | City Square | 00200 |
| 5 | Kenyatta National Hospital | 00202 |
| 6 | Ronald Ngala Street | 00300 |
| 7 | Tom Mboya Street | 00400 |
| 8 | Enterprise Road | 00500 |
| 9 | JKIA Airport | 00501 |
| 10 | Karen | 00502 |
| 11 | Mbagathi | 00503 |
| 12 | Mchumbi Road (Kibra) | 00504 |
| 13 | Ngong Road | 00505 |
| 14 | Nyayo Stadium | 00506 |
| 15 | Viwandani | 00507 |
| 16 | Yaya Towers | 00508 |
| 17 | Langata | 00509 |
| 18 | Makongeni | 00510 |
| 19 | Buruburu | 00515 |
| 20 | Dandora | 00516 |
| 21 | Uhuru Garden | 00517 |
| 22 | Kayole | 00518 |
| 23 | Mlolongo | 00519 |
| 24 | Ruai | 00520 |
| 25 | Embakasi | 00501 |
| 26 | Industrial Area | 00522 |
| 27 | Gikomba | 00523 |
| 28 | Docks | 00524 |
| 29 | Railway Station | 00525 |
| 30 | Ngara Road | 00600 |
| 31 | Gigiri | 00601 |
| 32 | Lavington | 00603 |
| 33 | Lower Kabete | 00604 |
| 34 | Uthiru | 00605 |
| 35 | Sarit Centre | 00606 |
| 36 | Kamiti | 00607 |
| 37 | Kenyatta University | 00609 |
| 38 | Eastleigh | 00610 |
| 39 | Mathare Valley | 00611 |
| 40 | Ruaraka | 00618 |
| 41 | Muthaiga | 00619 |
| 42 | Village Market | 00621 |
| 43 | Parklands | 00623 |
| 44 | Kangemi | 00625 |
| 45 | Westlands | 00800 |
How Nairobi Postal Codes Work
The structure of the Nairobi Postal codes follows a simple 5-digit format, just like the one used by the Kenyan Postal Codes. The first two digits always show 00 for Nairobi, which tells postal workers the mail is going to Kenya’s capital city. Other major Kenyan regions and counties use different prefixes. For example, Nakuru starts with 20, like 20100, Eldoret, and the Rift Valley use 30, Kisumu and Nyanza have 40, Mombasa and the Coast region begin with 80, and so much more.
The last three digits identify your specific post office within Nairobi. These numbers are assigned based on several factors: the post office’s location in the city, when it was established, and which neighborhoods it serves. For example, the GPO uses 00100 because it was Kenya’s first post office, established in 1906. City Square got 00200 as the second major post office in downtown Nairobi, and so many others.
So why do some areas, like the CBD ( Central Business District), have multiple tightly-packed codes (00100, 00200, 00300, 00400), while upcoming residential areas use just one? This is because downtown Nairobi handles massive amounts of mail for businesses, government offices, and organizations; therefore, splitting the CBD into zones with separate post offices prevents one location from getting overwhelmed. That’s why lower-density areas like Langata (00509) or Gigiri (00601) can be served efficiently by a single post office.
How To Use Your Nairobi Postal Code Correctly
While the digital age has quietly made Postal Codes to be kinda of obsolete today, the importance of Postal codes in Nairobi remains essential to this day. Here’s exactly when you need it and how to use it properly.
Online Shopping and E-Commerce
When you order from international platforms like AliExpress, Amazon, or eBay, always fill in your area’s specific postal code. These postal codes help route your package to the nearest pickup station. Therefore, avoid using the generic 00100 Postal code unless your postal office is located at GPO; otherwise, use the nearest Postal office near you in Nairobi, ie, if you live near Westlands, enter 00800. This directs your package to Westlands Post Office
Government Services and Official Documents
Many government applications have a required postal code field. KRA PIN registration needs it. Passport applications ask for it. National ID applications, voter registration, SHIF registration, and NSSF enrollment all require your postal code. Which one should you use? Always use the postal code of the post office nearest to your physical residence or business location.
Banking and Financial Services
When opening a bank account with KCB, Equity Bank, Co-operative Bank, or any other bank in Kenya, or any financial institution, you will be required to provide your postal code for address verification. Most of these financial institutions use it to prevent fraud and confirm your residential area.
Business Registration and Licensing
Registering a business through eCitizen? You’ll need your postal code. The system asks for it when you fill in your business premises location. Obtaining a Nairobi County business permit also requires it. Use the postal code of the post office serving your business location, not your home address.
Courier and Delivery Services
Expecting a delivery from G4S, Fargo Courier, Wells Fargo, etc? Give them your postal code along with your physical address and landmarks. While these services deliver to street addresses (not P.O. Boxes), the postal code helps them route packages to the correct neighborhood sorting facility. Note: For most of these courier services in Kenya, pick-up points are more commonly used than individual postal codes.
Posta Kenya Contacts
Need help with postal services, deliveries, or questions about postal codes in Nairobi? You can reach Posta Kenya through multiple channels.
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi |
| Phone | 020 3243000 |
| Mobile | 0800 724 900 (Toll-free) |
| customercare@posta.co.ke | |
| Website | www.posta.co.ke |
| Post Office Finder | posta.co.ke/post-offices |
| MPost Registration | Dial *891# |
| Twitter/X | @PostaKenya |
| Postal Corporation of Kenya |
FAQs About Nairobi Postal Codes
The main postal code is 00100, assigned to the General Post Office (GPO) on Haile Selassie Avenue in the CBD. However, Nairobi has 45 post offices with unique codes.
Kenya officially uses postal codes, not ZIP codes. “ZIP code” is specific to the United States. However, when international websites ask for your “ZIP code,” simply enter your 5-digit Kenyan postal code.
While 00100 works for CBD addresses, using your area’s specific postal code (like 00800 for Westlands or 00502 for Karen) saves 1-3 days in delivery; your mail goes directly to your local post office rather than through the congested GPO.
No. A postal code identifies the geographic area (e.g., 00502 for Karen), while a P.O. Box number is your personal mailbox at that post office (e.g., Box 12345). Together they form your complete address: P.O. Box 12345-00502 Karen, Nairobi.