Nairobi's Second-Hand Bookshops and Reading Spots

Second-Hand Bookshops in Nairobi

Start on Kimathi Street, where the Text Book Centre has a small second-hand section, but the real treasure is the Moi Avenue junction with Ronald Ngala Street, where pavement sellers spread paperbacks on tarpaulin from 7am to 6pm. Expect Kenyan history, African literature and old thrillers from KSh 100 to 300 — but check for missing pages and water damage before you pay. For a curated browse, the Book Stop in Westlands (Woodvale Grove) stocks second-hand fiction and travel guides from KSh 400 to 800, sorted by genre and in good condition.

In Ngara, the Nairobi Bookshop & Stationers on Limuru Road sells ex-library stock — think 1970s editions of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o and outdated Lonely Planets — from KSh 200. It is a 10-minute matatu ride from the city centre, but go before 4pm when stock is picked over. Skip the overpriced hotel gift shops; their new books cost three times what you would pay at any of these spots. The best months for fresh stock are January and September, when schools and universities clear out old copies.

Where to Sit and Read: Cafés and Parks

The Nairobi National Museum's courtyard café in Museum Hill is quiet on weekday afternoons and lets you read for hours for the price of a coffee (KSh 250–350). It is a 15-minute walk from the Westlands matatu stage, and entry to the museum grounds is free if you only use the café. For a budget option, the Jeevanjee Gardens in the city centre has benches under jacaranda trees, but avoid midday heat and keep an eye on your belongings. It is free and central, though noisy after 5pm.

If you prefer a bookshop that doubles as a reading room, the Book Stop's Westlands branch has a small corner with two tables and strong Wi-Fi (free). It is open until 7pm, and the staff are relaxed about browsing. For a park setting, the Karura Forest's main gate off Limuru Road has picnic benches near the river — entry is KSh 200 for adults — and it is a 20-minute drive from Westlands. I would book a hotel in Westlands for the easiest access to both the Book Stop and Karura; the area has dozens of mid-range options from KSh 6,000 to 10,000 per night.

Libraries and Reading Rooms

The McMillan Memorial Library on Banda Street in the city centre is a grand, over-100-year-old reading room that is free to enter (bring a passport copy for a day pass). It is quiet, with long wooden tables and ceiling fans, and it is a 5-minute walk from the Kimathi Street bookshops. Note that it closes at 4pm on weekdays and is closed on Sundays. The Kenya National Library Service branch in Upper Hill (Ngong Road) is smaller but has a dedicated reading area and is open until 6pm.

For a modern alternative, the Library at the Alliance Française on Loita Street has a membership option (KSh 1,000 per year) that includes access to their quiet reading room and a small second-hand book sale. It is a 10-minute walk from the city centre and open until 7pm on weekdays. Both libraries are good, but I would choose McMillan for its atmosphere and central location — just do not expect to borrow books without a local address. If you are staying in a hotel near the city centre, these are walkable and free.

Practical Tips and Where to Stay

Most second-hand bookshops are open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm; Sunday is quiet everywhere except the pavement sellers on Moi Avenue who work daily. Carry small notes (KSh 100 and 200) because change is often scarce. For the best selection, visit in the morning before the afternoon rush. Do not rely on finding specific titles — stock is random — but you can usually find something readable for under KSh 500. Skip the bookshops inside malls; they sell new stock at new prices.

Book a hotel in Westlands if you want easy access to Book Stop, Karura Forest and several cafés that allow quiet reading; the area is a 15-minute drive to the city centre bookshops. If you prefer walking, choose a hotel near the city centre (around Kimathi Street) where you can reach Moi Avenue, McMillan Library and Jeevanjee Gardens on foot. The city centre is busier and less relaxed, but it has the highest concentration of bookshops. For families, Westlands is safer and quieter in the evenings.