The post-festive season has brought with it a fresh wave of travel chaos for many Nairobi residents, with thousands of people who traveled to their villages for the Christmas and New Year holidays facing difficulties in finding affordable transport back to the capital.
Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) plying major routes to Nairobi, Mombasa, and other cities are reportedly overbooked and overpriced, leaving travelers in a bind as they struggle to return to their work and schools after the festive season. Many have voiced their frustrations about the challenges they face, with some even resorting to unconventional methods of travel.
Timothy Onyango, a resident of Rongo in Migori, shared his experience with Wananchi, explaining how he was unable to secure a bus ticket on January 31, 2025, despite attempting to book online the day before. “I had tried booking Easy Coach, ENA, and even some shuttles, but all were fully booked. I had to pay Ksh2,500 for a ride, which is much higher than the usual Ksh1,500,” he said. Onyango noted that buses were fully booked from December 30, 2024, until January 7, 2025.
The situation has led many travelers to worry that the travel rush will intensify in the coming days, especially with the reopening of schools. As a result, some have had to employ creative methods of travel, including taking short-route vehicles before connecting to Nairobi. Anne Moraa, who left Isebania on January 2, described how she had to pay more than double the usual fare for a shuttle to Kisii town, followed by an overpriced PSV ride to Nairobi.
Kenyans have expressed growing concerns about the predatory nature of fare hikes, which many consider immoral, particularly during a period when people are trying to return to their daily routines. There are also fears about the safety of passengers, with long-distance PSV drivers working long hours without adequate rest, and operating unroadworthy vehicles. There are calls for the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to take immediate action to curb these practices and ensure safer and more affordable travel options for the public.
