Quick Answer: Nairobi uses street addresses (building/road names) combined with postal codes (5-digit zip codes) for deliveries and official documents. While Kenya primarily uses P.O. Box addresses collected at post offices, physical street addresses are essential for courier services (DHL, G4S, Jumia), online shopping, and the new KEBS addressing system. All Nairobi streets fall under 45 post office zones with codes starting with “00.” Always use your nearest post office code, not the generic 00100, for accurate, faster delivery that saves 1-3 days.
Writing a Nairobi street address correctly with the proper zip code can be confusing for many Kenyans, especially when dealing with online forms, as they demand total accuracy. If you want to order anything from Online stores, fill out international forms, or register for government services, knowing how to combine your physical street address with the correct postal code is essential. If not a single mistake in your address format, it can delay packages, cause mail to get lost, or result in rejected applications.
In Kenya, specifically Nairobi, most people still rely on P.O. Box addresses rather than physical street addresses. However, the rise of e-commerce, courier services, and the new Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) street addressing system means understanding how street addresses work with postal codes has never been more important.
What is a Nairobi Street Address?
A street address in Nairobi refers to the physical location where you live or work, identified by a combination of building name or number, street or road name, and the area or neighborhood. Unlike Western countries, where every house has a numbered address on a named street, Nairobi’s addressing system has historically been less formal, relying heavily on landmarks, estate names, and post office boxes.
A typical Nairobi street address includes several components. First, the building name or number, such as ABC House or Apartment 5 B. Second, the street or road name, like Kenyatta Avenue or Waiyaki Way. Third, the area or neighborhood, such as Westlands, Karen, or CBD. Finally, landmarks are often included for easier location, for example, next to the Sarit Centre or opposite the Yaya Centre.
For example, a complete street address might look like: 5th Floor, Times Tower, Haile Selassie Avenue, CBD, Nairobi. However, many Nairobians still describe locations using landmarks: Green House, opposite Sarit Centre, Westlands.
Nairobi Postal Codes (Zip Codes)
Nairobi uses a 5-digit numerical postal code system, with all codes starting with 00 to identify the capital city region. The Postal Corporation of Kenya (Posta Kenya) manages 45 operational post offices across Nairobi’s 17 constituencies, and each post office has its own unique postal code.
The structure is simple: the first two digits (00) identify Nairobi, while the last three digits identify the specific post office or delivery area. For example, 00100 belongs to the General Post Office (GPO) in the CBD, 00800 belongs to Westlands Post Office, and 00502 belongs to Karen Post Office.
Does Nairobi Use Postal Codes or ZIP Codes? While they serve the same purpose, “ZIP code” is specific to the United States postal system (Zone Improvement Plan). Kenya uses “postal codes,” not ZIP codes. However, when international websites ask for your “ZIP code,” simply enter your 5-digit Kenyan postal code.
How to Write a Nairobi Street Address WITH Zip Code
Writing a complete Nairobi street address with the correct postal code follows a specific format that combines your physical location with the postal code of your nearest post office. Here’s the standard format:
[Recipient Name]
[Apartment/Floor Number, Building Name]
[Street Name/Road]
[Area/Estate]
Nairobi [Postal Code]
Kenya
Let’s look at practical examples for different areas of Nairobi:
CBD Example:
John Kamau
5th Floor, Kenyatta Avenue Plaza
Kenyatta Avenue
Nairobi 00100
Kenya
Westlands Residential Example:
Jane Wanjiru
Apartment 12B, ABC Apartments
Off Waiyaki Way, Westlands
Nairobi 00800
Kenya
Karen Example:
Peter Mwangi
House 25, Karen Brooks Road
Karen
Nairobi 00502
Kenya
Eastleigh Example:
Fatuma Hassan
Building C, 7th Street
Eastleigh
Nairobi 00610
Kenya
Landmark-Based Format (Common in Kenya):
Mary Ochieng
Green House, next to Sarit Centre Mall
Westlands
P.O. Box 12345-00800
Nairobi, Kenya
TAKE NOTE: Notice that the landmark-based format often combines both street address and P.O. Box information. This is common practice in Nairobi because it provides both a collection point (P.O. Box) and a delivery location (physical address with a landmark).
All 45 Nairobi Post Offices and Their Postal Codes
Nairobi County has 45 operational post offices managed by Posta Kenya. Each post office serves specific areas, neighborhoods, and streets. Below is the complete list:
CBD & Central Nairobi:
- General Post Office (GPO) – 00100 – Kenyatta Avenue, CBD
- Jamia Mosque – 00101 – CBD East
- State Law Office – 00102 – State House area
- City Square – 00200 – CBD North, Starehe
- Kenyatta National Hospital – 00202 – Upper Hill Medical
- Ronald Ngala Street – 00300 – CBD East
- Tom Mboya Street – 00400 – CBD, bus terminus
Westlands & Northern Areas:
- Westlands – 00800 – Westlands CBD, ABC Place
- Parklands – 00623 – Parklands 1-5
- Sarit Centre – 00606 – Highridge, Karura
- Gigiri – 00601 – UN offices
- Village Market – 00621 – Gigiri, Runda
- Muthaiga – 00619 – Muthaiga
- Kangemi – 00625 – Kangemi, Mountain View
- Lavington – 00603 – Lavington, Muthangari
- Lower Kabete – 00604 – Kabete area
- Uthiru – 00605 – Uthiru, Kinoo
Eastlands & Northern Suburbs:
- Ngara Road – 00600 – Ngara, Pangani
- Eastleigh – 00610 – Eastleigh, California
- Mathare Valley – 00611 – Mathare, Huruma
- Ruaraka – 00618 – Ruaraka, Baba Dogo
- Kasarani – 00608 – Kasarani Stadium area
- Kenyatta University – 00609 – KU, Roysambu
- Kamiti – 00607 – Kamiti, Kahawa West
- Buruburu – 00515 – Buruburu 1-5, Umoja
- Dandora – 00516 – Dandora, Korogocho
- Kayole – 00518 – Kayole, Komarock
- Makongeni – 00510 – Makongeni estate
Embakasi & Airport Area:
- Enterprise Road – 00500 – Industrial Area West
- JKIA Airport – 00501 – Airport, cargo
- Embakasi – 00521 – Embakasi, Pipeline
- Industrial Area – 00522 – Makadara
- Gikomba – 00523 – Gikomba market
- Docks – 00524 – ICD Embakasi
- Railway Station – 00525 – Railway, Muthurwa
- Mlolongo – 00519 – Mlolongo, Syokimau
- Ruai – 00520 – Ruai, Njiru
- Uhuru Garden – 00517 – Uhuru Gardens
South Nairobi & Langata:
- Karen – 00502 – Karen, Hardy
- Langata – 00509 – Langata, Nairobi West
- Nyayo Stadium – 00506 – South B, South C
- Mbagathi – 00503 – Mbagathi Hospital
- Mchumbi Road (Kibra) – 00504 – Kibera
- Ngong Road – 00505 – Ngong Road corridor
- Yaya Towers – 00508 – Yaya Centre, Hurlingham
- Viwandani – 00507 – Dagoretti South
Major Nairobi Streets and Their Postal Codes
Below are major streets in Nairobi, organized by area:
CBD (Central Business District) Streets – Postal Codes: 00100, 00200, 00300, 00400
- Kenyatta Avenue – 00100 (GPO): Main street in CBD, home to KICC, Hilton Hotel, and many government offices
- Haile Selassie Avenue – 00200 (City Square): Runs past City Hall, Kencom, and a major bus terminus
- Moi Avenue – 00100 (GPO): Parallel to Kenyatta Avenue, retail and commercial area
- Tom Mboya Street – 00400: Named street, runs from GPO to Machakos Bus Station
- Ronald Ngala Street – 00300: Eastern CBD, near bus terminus
- Muindi Mbingu Street – 00100: NSSF Building, Times Tower area
- Kimathi Street – 00100: Nairobi Sports House, Stanley Hotel area
- Mama Ngina Street – 00100: Central Park, Norfolk Hotel area
- Loita Street – 00100: Chester House, law firms area
- University Way – 00100: University of Nairobi main campus
- Wabera Street – 00100: Diplomatic area, embassies
- Parliament Road – 00100: Parliament Buildings, Harambee House
Westlands Area Streets – Postal Codes: 00800, 00623, 00606
- Waiyaki Way – 00800: Major highway through Westlands, Sarit Centre, Westgate Mall
- Woodvale Grove – 00800: Location of Westlands Post Office
- Riverside Drive – 00800/00100: Riverside apartments, commercial offices
- Ring Road Parklands – 00623: Parklands residential area
- 1st to 6th Parklands Avenue – 00623: Parklands estates
- Peponi Road – 00800: Schools and residential area
- Ojijo Road – 00800: Medical centers and offices
- Muthangari Road – 00800: Residential and commercial
- General Mathenge Road – 00800: Residential estates
- Westlands Road – 00800: Commercial area
Upper Hill & Kilimani Streets – Postal Codes: 00100, 00508
- Argwings Kodhek Road – 00508: Yaya Centre, Nairobi Hospital
- Ralph Bunche Road – 00100: UN offices
- Ngong Road (Upper section) – 00505: Prestige Plaza, Junction Mall
- Dennis Pritt Road – 00100/00508: Residential area
- Elgeyo Marakwet Road – 00100: Shopping centers
- Mandera Road – 00100: Residential
- Kindaruma Road – 00100: Hotels and offices
South Nairobi & Langata Streets – Postal Codes: 00502, 00503, 00506, 00509
- Karen Road – 00502: Karen residential and shopping centers
- Langata Road – 00509: Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi National Park gate
- Mbagathi Way – 00503: Mbagathi Hospital, Uchumi
- Ngong Road – 00505/00506: From Dagoretti Corner to South C
- South C Road – 00506: South C residential
- Mombasa Road – 00500/00501: From Railways to Airport
- Magadi Road – 00504: Kibera, Railways
Eastlands Streets – Postal Codes: 00610, 00611, 00600, 00515
- Juja Road – 00610: Eastleigh commercial hub
- 8th Street Eastleigh – 00610: Garissa Lodge area
- First Avenue Eastleigh – 00610: Somali Mall area
- Outering Road – 00515/00518: Buruburu to Kayole
- Kangundo Road – 00515: From Railways to Kayole
- Jogoo Road – 00600: Schools and residential area
- Mumias Road – 00515: Buruburu Estates
- Thika Road – 00600/00608/00618: From CBD to Kasarani
FAQs
A P.O. Box is a mailbox at a post office where you collect your mail, while a street address is the physical location of your home or office. P.O. Boxes have been the traditional way Kenyans receive mail because street addressing was not well developed. However, modern services like courier deliveries, ride-hailing apps, and emergency services require physical street addresses.
No. While 00100 is Nairobi’s most famous postal code (GPO), using it for all Nairobi addresses is incorrect. Each of Nairobi’s 45 post offices has its own unique 5-digit code. Using the wrong code can delay mail delivery and confuse. Always use the postal code specific to your area or the nearest post office.
For international shipments, include both your street address (with landmarks if possible) and your P.O. Box. Format it clearly:
[Your Name]
[Building/House Number, Street Name]
[Area/Estate]
Nairobi [Postal Code]
P.O. Box [Number]-[Code]
Kenya
Functionally, yes. “ZIP code” is the American term (Zone Improvement Plan), while “postal code” is used internationally. Kenya uses postal codes, but many people use the terms interchangeably. They serve the same purpose: organizing mail delivery by geographic zones.
No, not yet. Building numbering is still being implemented across Nairobi through the KEBS system. In areas without official building numbers, people rely on building names, landmarks, and descriptive directions. This is why combining street addresses with well-known landmarks remains the most reliable addressing method in many parts of Nairobi.