Waudo Street never sleeps: Inside Eastleigh’s vibrant night food and game scene
The visitors are not limited to Eastleigh residents. People travel from other parts of Nairobi, including South C, Parklands, and Jam Street. They park their vehicles along the road and join the lively scene for food and socialising.
At 1:00 am on a Tuesday, most streets in Nairobi are deserted—but Waudo Street in California, Eastleigh, tells a different story. The area remains vibrant at this hour. Eateries are open, shops continue trading, and the sound of blenders preparing fresh fruit juices echoes from a distance.
Hundreds of people, mostly young men and women, gather along the pavements. Some are eating, others are deep in conversation, while a few are watching or playing street games.
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Among the food vendors is Mohamed Abdullahi, a fruit seller surrounded by customers.
When asked for a glass of mango juice, he politely asks for patience, pointing to the queue ahead. He later explains that demand in the area keeps his business open well past midnight, sometimes until 3:00 am.
“This is a night place. If you come in the morning, it’s empty,” Mohamed says. “Most people come here at night, and that’s why I stay open this late.”
Along this short stretch of Waudo Street, which runs between Barcuba Street on the east and Keroe Street on the west, at least three fruit vendors are offering both fresh fruit and blended juices. (Abdirahman Khalif)
As I wait, two girls arrive to buy a banana. When asked why they are purchasing the fruit at such an hour, one explains she’s preparing a meal for her brother, who is about to go and play football.
“He sleeps early and wakes up around this time to go play, but he eats first,” she says. “I came here because I know I can always find a fruit, even at night.”
Along this short stretch of Waudo Street—running between Barcuba Street to the east and Keroe Street to the west—at least three fruit vendors offer both fresh fruit and blended juices.
Once my juice is ready, I sit near a group of boys playing a popular street game called ladoo. The atmosphere is calm and orderly. Some play while others wait their turn, to get the food or drinks they ordered.
“This is a very safe place with good lighting,” says Noor Abdi, who is waiting to join the game. “If you need food, tea or any juice, it’s brought to wherever you’re sitting.”
According to Noor, the area remains active until around 4:00 am, when people begin to leave following the first call to prayer for Fajr.
The eateries serving these late-night crowds are mostly run by middle-aged women. The food on offer is varied, but the most popular dishes during these hours are cambuulo—a mixture of rice and red beans—and anjera mayai, a Somali-style pancake with eggs.
Fresh juice bought by this writer on Tuesday at 1:00 am. (Abdirahman Khalif)
The visitors are not limited to Eastleigh residents. People travel from other parts of Nairobi, including South C, Parklands, and Jam Street. They park their vehicles along the road and join the lively scene for food and socialising.
“People sleep very early in my area,” says Ibrahim Muhumed from South C. “You wouldn’t find this kind of energy past 10 pm. That’s why I come here often—to enjoy authentic food and spend time with friends.”
The businesses along this section of Waudo Street are mostly housed in metal containers converted into eateries and retail shops. Though the stretch is relatively small, it has become a popular meeting point for many.
Waudo Street wasn’t always this way. It was once a neglected road, synonymous with mud and potholes during the rainy season, and dusty during the dry months. But with improved lighting and rising demand for night-time services, it has transformed into a key hub of Eastleigh’s night economy.
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