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Afya Centre and 4 other Nairobi CBD spots that became Kenyans’ darling
11th March, 2026 03:16 PM
Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) is more than a collection of office blocks and busy streets. Over the years, several buildings and landmarks have quietly become important orientation points for thousands of residents and visitors who navigate the city daily.
For many Kenyans, these buildings are not just structures. They are meeting points, transport hubs, and easy guides for finding one’s way through the busy streets of the capital.
Here are five Nairobi CBD buildings and locations that have gradually become trusted reference points for navigating the city.
Afya Centre
Afya Centre is one of the most recognisable buildings in Nairobi’s CBD. The green-painted building stands along Tom Mboya Street, a major road that runs from Old Nation House all the way to Haile Selassie Avenue.
Over time, Afya Centre has become an important landmark for people looking for public transport. Many commuters who want to board vehicles heading toward the Railway area often use the building as a meeting point.
From Afya Centre, it is also easy to navigate to several parts of the city. For example, those travelling to areas along Lang’ata Road or Waiyaki Way can easily locate matatu stages nearby that serve those routes.
The building also serves as a useful guide for people heading to Muthurwa Market. From Afya Centre, one can follow Haile Selassie Avenue towards the area near Racecourse Road, cross over, and proceed toward the busy market area.
Because of its strategic location and visibility, Afya Centre remains one of the most reliable landmarks for anyone trying to understand Nairobi’s city layout.
National Archives
The National Archives building sits at the centre of Nairobi CBD along Moi Avenue, directly opposite the historic Hilton Hotel building.
For many Nairobi residents, this location is not only a cultural site but also a major gathering and navigation point.
The open space around the Archives is usually full of activity. On most days, street performers entertain crowds with music, acrobatics, and dance. Preachers also gather to address passersby, while others simply sit and relax as they watch the busy life of the city.
For commuters, the location is also strategically important. Vehicles serving areas such as Kiambu Town, Kiambu Road, Wangige, Kikuyu, Thika, Makongeni Estate, and Eastleigh can easily be accessed within walking distance from this point.
The area also has nearby county washrooms, making it a convenient stop for many people moving around the CBD.
RNG Plaza
RNG Plaza is another well-known building in downtown Nairobi. The building, which is painted with orange colours near the top, stands along Ronald Ngala Street just north of Afya Centre.
For people trying to navigate the CBD, RNG Plaza acts as an important reference point connecting several busy areas of the city.
From this location, one can easily move toward downtown Nairobi and Nyamakima. The area is also somehow close to Kamukunji Police Station, another familiar landmark for many city residents.
RNG Plaza also sits near several connecting routes. From here, one can take a turn toward Racecourse Road, continue to Haile Selassie Avenue, and then choose to re-enter the CBD through either Tom Mboya Street or Moi Avenue.
To the west of RNG Plaza lies Munyu Road, which connects to Luthuli Avenue, River Road, and Accra Road. Following this direction eventually leads to the famous Tea Room stage, where vehicles serving towns in the Mount Kenya region operate.
These include Embu, Meru, Mbeere, Nyeri, Murang’a, and Kiambu, among others.
Odeon Cinema area
The Odeon area along Latema Road is another landmark many Nairobi residents recognise instantly. The building sits just a few metres from Tom Mboya Street.
Apart from its historical significance as one of the city’s early cinema halls, Odeon has become popular because of its unique architectural design, especially the circular structure at the front.
The location has also developed into an important transport point. Many commuters stranded within the CBD often find vehicles serving areas such as Ruiru, Matangi in Ruiru, Juja, Gachie, and Kawangware near this area.
Because of its distinctive appearance and its proximity to Tom Mboya Street, the Odeon area has remained a favourite meeting point for many Nairobi residents.
Country Bus Station
Country Bus Station is another well-known location that plays a major role in Nairobi’s transport network.
The station sits near the intersection of Kamukunji Police Station, Landhies Road, Haile Selassie Avenue, and Ring Road.
For decades, the area has been associated with long-distance travel. Many buses and matatus serving regions outside Nairobi operate from this location.
Passengers travelling to Rift Valley, Western Kenya, Ukambani, and the coastal region often pass through this station. As a result, the location has become one of the most recognised transport hubs in the capital.
Its position near several major roads also makes it easy for travellers to access the station from different parts of the CBD.
Why these landmarks matter
For many Nairobi residents, navigating the CBD often relies more on landmarks than street names. Buildings such as Afya Centre, National Archives, RNG Plaza, Odeon, and Country Bus Station have gradually become reference points that simplify movement within the city.
Whether someone is searching for a matatu stage, trying to meet a friend, or simply finding direction in the busy capital, these landmarks continue to play a quiet but important role in everyday life in Nairobi.
