PSV operators across the country hiked matatu fares owing to the new Covid-19 restrictions imposed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, March 26.
Uhuru revised curfew hours for Nairobi, Nakuru, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado after the areas were marked as disease zone. Curfew commences from 8 pm to 4 am unlike the other 42 counties where it was reserved for 10 pm to 4 am.
He also restricted movement in and out of the aforementioned zone for 30 days, effective 12 am on Saturday, March 27.
Thousands of commuters who were outside the zone were left stranded after matatus raised fares for those who opted to return to the five counties, with a bid to beat the curfew and lockdown restrictions.
In Nakuru, the fare was tripled from Ksh 600 to up to Ksh 1800. In Kisii, the same was witnessed, with fares rising from Ksh 800 to Ksh 3,000.
Touts were also accused of hoarding vehicles after commuters declined to pay the outrageous charges, hoping to board cheaper vehicles that were heading to the stations.
"We are very lucky today. Very few people were travelling to Nairobi, but the number surged once Uhuru announced the new measures, a tout in Nakuru said.
One passenger in Kisumu said that he was forced to travel to Nyeri to find an alternative route as he was heading to Mombasa. The commuter castigated Uhuru for imposing new measures and giving them a nearly seven-hour deadline to adjust.
SGR commuters who were heading to Mombasa were forced to halt their journey midway at several stations to find their way back to Nairobi. In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the passengers were spotted rushing with their bags hoping to catch PSVs back home.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a Nairobi resident who was locked out of the city alluded to sneaking into Nairobi through panya routes'. This, he said, was the only alternative as Uhuru had revoked passes and urged police to enforce the restrictions and be on the lookout for lawbreakers.
"Even as we do so, I urge all law enforcement officers to live true to their oath of office and discharge their duties without fear or favour in enforcing the containment measures," Uhuru ordered.
Police have not yet announced whether they will revise Covid-19 fines that were outlined in 2020. Inspector-General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai on Thursday, November 5, 2020, announced that anyone found flouting the Covid-19 rules, would pay an instant fine of Ksh 20,000. He directed his officers to avoid arresting those flouting Covid-19 rules but impose cash fines in order to avoid jail congestion.
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