I fly between two cities in Kenya every week and if I feel like saving some money, I occasionally take the bus from the airport to the city center. I also take public transport (buses and matatus) a lot around Nairobi and have never had a problem. I think Nairobi has improved a lot over the past decade in terms of muggings and robberies. However, that being said, there are still incidents that regularly happen, so just be a smart traveler. Don't take out your phone or any valuables while on public transport, don't let your bags out of your sight, always keep your guard up and make sure there aren't sneaky hands reaching in your bags or through the windows when you're stopped. The only thing that stops me from taking the bus all the time, is that it takes a really long time. A taxi usually takes me about 45 minutes, while the 34 bus will take about twice that long. Also, I would be a bit more cautious about taking public transportation at night. At night I would stick to trusted taxis.
I totally disagree with those rumors of one being mugged at the buses all i can urge you is to be careful with your bags as many of my friends have said to you.
What initially made me concerned was these word in the 2015 Lonely Planet Kenya book:
"A far cheaper way to get into town is by city bus 34 (Ksh 40), but a lot of travellers get robbed on the bus or when they get off."
Here is an extract from a previous posting of mine:
... I can shed some light on the 34 bus transport. I travelled on it a few months back, and while it is cheap, I have to question whether it is value for money. I have to start by specifying I used the minibus version - whose route is different from other No 34 buses - that end up at Kenyatta National Hospital off Ngong Road.
Boy-oh-boy, what a long and drawn out journey! Usually I would grab a cab, and one hour later (and say $25 lighter) I would be in the Central Business District. However this time, as soon as I came outside, I saw the bus right across the road from Arrivals - just about to set off, so with only the thought of saving $24.50, I raced across and jumped in. Now, I've since concluded this bus is not intended to primarily transport people from the airport to the city centre. It is intended to ferry people between all the local housing estates along a given route, and more by mere coincidence, its final destination is at The Hilton at the City Centre. We set off in great earnest, and my first surprise was when the vehicle turned off at The City Cabanas and joined The Ring Road (which in my view must be the busiest road in East & Central Africa). After a gazillion stops and 2 hours later we emerged at the roundabout of Jogoo Road, giving me the hope this journey would be over in another 30 - 45 minutes. That hope was dashed when we turned into Industrial Area...
Another hour later, we finally emerged on Landhies Road, battered and bruised, but still perky - which must be the second busiest road in East & Central Africa...
Now that you get the drift, let us fast forward to the conclusion: When I am visiting Kenya for a week, I am not sure sitting in a 34 bus for most of a whole day's morning to save $24.50 is something I'd do again; I consider my week far too valuable for that.
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