A number of matatu operators around the country have defied the government's directive on an increase of fares as students resume learning.
Matatus are aiming to cash in on the rush that parents and students are facing as schools fully reopen on Monday, January 4 after a nine-month break.
Matatus plying the Maralal-Nyahururu-Nakuru route hiked their fares from Ksh500 and Ksh 700 to Ksh800 and Ksh1,100.
Matatus in the North Rift almost doubled their fares from between Ksh1,000 and Ksh2,000 to Ksh 3,000 for the PSV vehicles plying the Eldoret-Nairobi route.
The North Rift Shuttle manager in Eldoret revealed that the increase in fares was brought about by the rise in travel demand.
"We have many passengers who want to travel but our vehicles are few because we limit them due to the curfew hours.
"We hope that the government can consider easing some of the Covid-19 rules," Karanja told Nation.
The Transport Ministry on Sunday met with leaders of the Matatu Owners Association and agreed that no fares will be hiked, drivers will have to be tested for alcohol and no driver will be allowed to drive for long distances.
A matatu operator in Nakuru revealed that there was a shortage of PSV vehicles with some of them yet to comply with the set Ministry of Health guidelines.
Most of the passengers arrived at various bus termini across the country as early as 6 a.m on Sunday but failed to secure a spot in vehicles.
The commuters are now asking the government to relax the 10 p.m to 4 a.m curfew to enable learners to report back to school without hitches.
Parents have also had to deal with increased prices of commodities including uniforms, shoes and stationery with retail outlets looking to cash in on the boom.
A number of schools also sent out a list of items parents needed to buy including sanitisers and facemasks to help contain the spread of Covid-19 in learning institutions.
