Hundreds of students were on Tuesday, January 5, left stranded in various bus termini across the country a day after school reopened.
Most of the stranded students were from secondary schools countrywide and struggled to find means of transport to schools despite making bookings earlier.
The parents and students are now concerned about missing school days and lagging behind even after sitting out of lessons for nine months.
Tea Room bus station in Nairobi and the Eldoret bus terminus witnessed hundred of parents and students scrambling for a slot in Public Service Vehicles (PSV).
"We are being told our vehicle will come in the evening, the car in the station now is number nine, but my ticket is for bus number 42.
"I have kids, the fare has increased. I wanted to book two seats because I have two kids, but now I just have to squeeze in one seat with the two kids," said one of the travellers.
The bus and matatu operators are blaming the 60% capacity directive imposed by the government to promote social distancing in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The directive has led to a hike in fares to various destinations across the country as the operators struggle to shoulder the cost of the empty slots.
Most of the passengers arrived at various bus termini across the country as early as 6 a.m on Tuesday but failed to secure a slot 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.
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.
