Long delays, high fares as school reopening triggers travel rush in Kisumu

Travellers across Kisumu county experienced long delays on Sunday as thousands moved back to urban centres ahead of the reopening of schools, causing congestion at major bus parks and a sharp rise in fares. 

Matatu operators reported an unusually high number of passengers travelling from upcountry areas to towns, particularly to Nairobi and other major destinations, as primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools reopen on Monday. 

James Omwa, the Secretary of Matatu Owners Association Kisumu County and a member of the County Transport Safety Committee, said the surge in travel had strained available vehicles, forcing operators to deploy additional fleets. 

“There is a heavy influx of passengers today. We are appealing to drivers, conductors and passengers to comply with all traffic regulations as advised by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA),” Omwa said.

 He urged motor vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, with functional speed limiters that transmit data to NTSA systems, working seat belts and properly licensed drivers.

Omwa also warned drivers against speeding, fatigue and drunk driving, noting that the law limits driving hours to a maximum of eight hours a day. 

With thousands of students expected to report back to school, Omwa appealed to parents to ensure the vehicles transporting their children are licensed and well-maintained, adding that such details can be verified through the NTSA mobile application. 

The surge in travel has also led to increased fares due to one-way traffic, with few passengers travelling from Nairobi to upcountry destinations.

According to Omwa, matatu operators have been forced to bring in additional vehicles, including town service vehicles from Nairobi, to meet demand.

 “As a result, fares that previously stood at about Sh1,500 have risen to between Sh2,000 and Sh2,300, an increase of about Sh500 to Sh700,” he said, adding that most vehicles offering advance bookings are fully booked up to January 15. 

At the Kisumu main bus terminus, travellers were forced to wait for hours to secure transport.

One trader, Mirable Grave, who was travelling to Narok, said she arrived at the bus park at around 9 a.m. but was still waiting several hours later.

 “I am still waiting for the bus. It is now 2 p.m. We have been told the bus is on its way, and we are hoping it arrives so that we can finally travel,” she said. 

Despite operators running trips both in the morning and evening, congestion at bus parks remained high, with passengers scrambling for available seats. 

Omwa said matatu operators support ongoing multi-agency operations by the NTSA, the National Police Service and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission aimed at improving road safety and curbing corruption.

 He urged all road users to comply with traffic regulations, noting that the country recorded a worrying number of road fatalities in December. 

“We want everyone, especially our children returning to school, to arrive safely at their destinations,” he said.