Hundreds of families hoping to celebrate Christmas with loved ones upcountry have been left stranded at Kisumu’s main bus park as a severe shortage of buses and skyrocketing fares create travel chaos.
With an insufficient number of buses to meet demand, many passengers are enduring hours-long waits, while fares have doubled or tripled in some cases. The situation has forced some families to abandon their holiday plans altogether.
Evaline Achieng, a passenger who has been waiting for nearly six hours to secure a ride, expressed frustration over the inflated costs and lack of transportation.
“I came here at 10 a.m. and have been patiently waiting. There are no buses, and the fares are far too high for us,” she lamented.
Denish Ochieng, another stranded traveler, voiced his concern over the exorbitant charges.
“The fare has doubled, and we’re stuck. I came here at 7 a.m., and it’s now 1 p.m., but I still don’t know when I’ll reach Bungoma. The government needs to address this fare hike,” he said.
According to James Ochieng Omwa, Secretary of the Kisumu Matatu Owners Association, the fare increase—ranging from 20% to 50%—is a result of the high demand during the festive season.
“Vehicles are ferrying passengers to rural areas but returning with empty seats. The increased fares compensate for the cost of fuel for those empty return trips,” Omwa explained.
For instance, fares to certain areas that were previously Ksh 500 have now risen to Ksh 700.
Omwa acknowledged the efforts of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and regional police in ensuring safety and security during the season. He praised NTSA and Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer Peter Maina for reducing accidents in the Nyanza region, as well as Regional Police Commander Patrick Tito for providing 24-hour security at the bus park.
“Our drivers are well-trained, disciplined, and have received adequate sensitization on speed limits and the dangers of drunk driving. We’ve not recorded any loss of life during this festive season,” he said.
Despite these measures, the financial burden has forced some to forego their Christmas plans. Edward Rashid, a hawker at the Kisumu bus park, chose to continue his business operations instead of celebrating.
“There’s no money for festivities, so I’d rather keep working,” Rashid remarked.
The travel crisis highlights the strain of the festive season, with families caught between high costs and limited options, dampening the Christmas spirit for many.
