Low business as Nairobi residents opt not to travel for Christmas

Passengers queuing at a matatu terminal waiting for a vehicle in Nakuru townon 21st December 2016. photo by Ian Ngeta

Business owners will not be recording huge profits at Country Bus Station this festive season due to a low turnout of passengers.

The bus station, which is usually jam-packed during Christmas - with passengers fighting to board vehicles - has witnessed a limited number of passengers travelling to their village homes for Christmas.

“I would have sold more than 10 crates of soda by now,” said Sarah Chebet who has been working at the station for years.

She said she had not sold as many cakes or crates of soda as in previous years.

“The economy is not doing well. Fewer people are travelling and those travelling are not buying stuff as they have done in the past,” said Ms Chebet.

“Hakuna pesa Kenya (there is no money in Kenya). This place would be packed during this festive season; you would not even find a place to stand.”

Chebet said at one point she had to intervene when bus operators turned away a woman who did not have enough fare.

“They wanted Sh1,800 but the woman had only Sh1,400. She had opted to go back home to Nyeri but I talked to the crew and they allowed her to board. That is how bad Kenya is at the moment.”

The few passengers travelling to various destinations could be seen bargaining with bus crews to reduce fares. Drivers and conductors said they had hiked their fares because they had no guarantee of passengers on their way back to Nairobi.

And it is not just buses that are trying to cash in on the season. Shuttles too, have hiked their prices - charging Sh1,200 per person from Nairobi to Eldoret, up from Sh800.

Those travelling to Kitale, Kimilili and Bungoma will have to part with Sh1,400 while those going to Kapenguria are paying Sh1,500 per person.

And even though they have been banned from ferrying passengers, private vehicle owners are cashing in on those desperate to travel, charging at least Sh1,500 per person to Eldoret and Kisii.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has warned that private cars involved in public transport will be detained.

“Private vehicle owners are not licensed to carry passengers and their cars are not also insured or licensed for public service operations,” NTSA Director General Francis Meja said.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett said private vehicle owners were operating against the law. He said both the drivers and the passengers would be arrested if caught.

Meanwhile, Nakuru town was a beehive of activity as passengers scrambled to board vehicles to various destinations. Most passengers were stranded and complained of high fares.

Matatus were charging Sh500 up from Sh300 to Eldoret while Nairobi-bound passengers had to part with Sh450. Those going to Kakamega were paying Sh1,000. Matatu operators said they had to increase their fares because there were no passengers on the return trip.

George Omonge, who was travelling to Kisii town from Nakuru, said he paid Sh700 from the normal rate of Sh500.

“Even with increased fares, there are no vehicles and we have to wait for hours,” he said.

— Report by Lonah Kibet Mercy Kahenda & Ian Ngeta