01Where to Start: The Kijabe Street Cluster
Kijabe Street, running north from the central business district towards the Globe Roundabout, is the heart of Nairobi's second-hand book trade. Several shops here, some no more than kiosks, overflow with paperbacks, textbooks and Africana. Most open around 9am and close by 6pm, Monday to Saturday. From the Kencom bus stage, it's a 15-minute walk or a short matatu ride; from the Nairobi Railway Station, allow 20 minutes on foot. If you're staying in a hotel around Kimathi Street or Muindi Mbingu Street, you can reach Kijabe in about 10 minutes on foot.
Expect to pay between KSh 100 and KSh 500 for a paperback, and KSh 500 to KSh 1,500 for hardcovers or rarer titles. Prices are softer than in new-book shops, but you should still inspect for missing pages, water damage and loose bindings; many copies are ex-library or donated. The best months for fresh stock are January and September, after the long rains and the school year start, when donations and clear-outs peak. I'd book a hotel within a 10-minute walk of Kijabe Street to make the most of early-morning browsing before the heat and traffic build.
02Beyond Kijabe: Other Reliable Spots
The University of Nairobi's main campus on University Way hosts occasional book sales in the Gandhi Wing and surrounding halls, usually advertised on noticeboards. These are hit-or-miss but can yield academic texts and literature at low prices. Also check the stalls along Moi Avenue near the Hilton Arcade; they're smaller but often carry current fiction and children's books. For a more curated selection, the Bookstop in Westlands (a 20-minute matatu ride or 15-minute taxi from the centre) has a second-hand section, though prices are higher, around KSh 800 to KSh 2,000, reflecting better condition and a more central location.
If you're based in Nairobi Central, I'd prioritise Kijabe Street for volume and price, then supplement with the Moi Avenue stalls for convenience. Skip the informal vendors near the Machakos Country Bus Station; stock is often unorganised and pricing inconsistent. A day pass on the matatu network costs around KSh 100 to KSh 150, so you can combine Kijabe with a trip to Westlands without much expense. Book a hotel near the central business district for easy access to both.
03What to Look For and What to Skip
Kenyan second-hand bookshops excel in three areas: African literature (Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Grace Ogot, Meja Mwangi), textbooks for local curricula, and out-of-print travel and history titles. Condition varies widely; always flip through the first and last 20 pages, check the spine for cracks, and ask if the price includes a plastic cover (often KSh 50 extra). Avoid buying anything with heavy highlighting unless it's a reference book you'll use for study. Prices are generally fixed, but polite haggling is acceptable for multiple purchases, especially at Kijabe Street stalls.
Best months for stock are January and February, when post-holiday clear-outs happen, and September, after the long rains. The rainy season (April–May) can make browsing uncomfortable; many shops have limited shelter. If you're in Nairobi in July or August, expect thinner crowds but also fewer new arrivals. I'd recommend booking a hotel with a luggage scale or weighing service if you plan to buy heavy books; excess baggage fees can quickly outweigh savings. Most central hotels offer secure storage, so you can shop early and store purchases while exploring.
04Practicalities: Getting There and Staying Nearby
Kijabe Street is accessible by matatu routes 11 and 23 from the Kencom stage; the fare is around KSh 50. Taxis from central hotels cost KSh 300–500 depending on traffic. If you're driving, parking is scarce and often charged at KSh 100 per hour; I'd use public transport or walk. The area is busy but generally safe during daylight hours; keep valuables close and avoid displaying large sums of cash. Most shops accept mobile money (M-Pesa) as well as cash, but smaller stalls may prefer cash, so carry small notes.
For a comfortable stay, look for hotels within a 1-kilometre radius of Kijabe Street, such as those on Monrovia Street or Ngara Road. Rates for a mid-range double room typically range from KSh 4,000 to KSh 8,000 per night, depending on amenities and season. Booking in advance is wise, especially during the high season (June–October and December–February). A central hotel puts you within walking distance of the bookshops, the Maasai Market at the High Court parking, and the National Archives, making it a practical base for a book-buying trip.
Where this page comes from
Desk research, not fieldwork. Nobody writing this stood on the corner with a stopwatch, and a page that implied otherwise would be the least trustworthy thing on the site. The specifics above came from here:
- Written for this site by its editor. No outside source is claimed for it.
Opening hours, ticketing and market days change. No hotel or operator pays to appear here.
05Questions
What are the opening hours of second-hand bookshops on Kijabe Street?+
Most shops open around 9am and close by 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Some smaller stalls may close earlier on Saturdays, and few open on Sundays. It's best to visit in the morning when stock is freshest and crowds are thinner.
How much should I expect to pay for a second-hand paperback in Nairobi Central?+
Paperbacks typically cost between KSh 100 and KSh 500, while hardcovers and rarer titles range from KSh 500 to KSh 1,500. Prices are generally fixed, but polite haggling is acceptable for multiple purchases, especially at Kijabe Street stalls.
Are there second-hand bookshops outside Kijabe Street?+
Yes, you can find stalls along Moi Avenue near the Hilton Arcade, and occasional book sales at the University of Nairobi. The Bookstop in Westlands also has a second-hand section with higher-priced, better-condition books. These are worth checking for specific titles.
What is the best time of year to find fresh stock in Nairobi's second-hand bookshops?+
January and February are best, after post-holiday clear-outs, followed by September after the long rains. The rainy season (April–May) can make browsing uncomfortable. July and August have fewer new arrivals but thinner crowds.
How do I get to Kijabe Street from central Nairobi hotels?+
From hotels around Kimathi Street or Muindi Mbingu Street, it's a 10- to 15-minute walk. Alternatively, matatu routes 11 and 23 from Kencom stage cost about KSh 50. Taxis from central hotels charge KSh 300–500 depending on traffic.
Do second-hand bookshops in Nairobi Central accept mobile money?+
Most shops accept M-Pesa, but smaller stalls may prefer cash. It's wise to carry small notes (KSh 50, 100, 200) for convenience, especially when buying from informal vendors who may not have change for larger denominations.
Where should I stay to be close to the second-hand bookshops?+
Look for hotels within a 1-kilometre radius of Kijabe Street, such as those on Monrovia Street or Ngara Road. Mid-range double rooms typically cost KSh 4,000–8,000 per night. Booking in advance is recommended during high season (June–October and December–February).