A funeral procession was on Friday, March 26, forced to abandon their journey after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the lockdown of five counties beginning midnight.
The procession comprised 16 people; being staff members from the Kenyatta University (KU) who were on their way to bury their colleague Leornard Bii, who passed on last week.
The driver who was ferrying the passengers to Bomet where the burial was to take place abandoned the journey and instead headed back to Nairobi.
“There shall be a cessation of all movement by road, rail or air into the disease infected area as one zoned area comprising of the counties of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru effective midnight tonight, meaning Saturday, March 27, until otherwise notified,” the President said.
Due to the announcement being made late, the passengers were forced to make a stopover in Nakuru and continue the journey early in the morning.
Being a Friday, many Kenyans were on the road headed up-country to attend burial ceremonies or just to visit relatives.
The President’s announcement extending curfew hours to begin at 8 p.m. and end at 4 p.m. in the five zero zoned areas saw bus fare to Nairobi double as the majority of Kenyans tried to rush back to the capital lest they be locked out.
Most transport Sacco’s were charging between Ksh 1,500 and Ksh 2,000 from Nakuru to Nairobi from the normal Ksh 600 that is usually charged.
Touts were also accused of hoarding vehicles after commuters declined to pay the outrageous charges.
“We are really lucky today. Very few people were travelling to Nairobi, but the number surged once Uhuru announced the new measures, “a tout in Nakuru said.
