• Boda boda operators said they had been severely hit by the fuel crisis.
• At one station, the boda bodas caused chaos and police had to be called in to kick them out.
Image: File
Fuel scarcity has led to a hike in matatu fares in Kisii county.
Residents said on Monday the new fare hikes add more pain to the already rising cost of living.
In downtown Kisii, cars lay abandoned in petrol stations after they ran out of fuel.
At Mashauri Total station, dozens of motorists queued waiting for fuel even though the tank was already empty.
Drivers said they did not know when the new delivery would be made but were determined to wait.
Boda boda operators said they had been severely hit by the fuel crisis.
"I pushed my bike from Menyinkwa, four kilometres away, to try my luck. It is now 9am and I haven't found fuel,” operator George Nyamweya said.
He said fuel station attendants had told them there was a delivery on the way from Nairobi but did not know when it would arrive.
"I have not conducted any business for the last three days. I fear my landlord may lock me out of the house for not paying rent,” Nyamweya told the Star.
Matatu driver Babangida Oduor said petrol stations have started rationing fuel.
"Attendants insist that we can’t fuel more than Sh2,000 for a single session. Even with the rationing we are forced to wait for days or hours,” he told the Star on Monday.
Boda boda riders said they had been limited to a maximum of Sh500 in a single fuelling session.
Ibrahim Ogutu, who operates at the Christ Marriane boda boda shed said the shortage has forced them to adjust fares to make ends meet.
Sometimes riders have to go all the way to Nyamira to look for fuel.
At one station, the boda bodas caused chaos and police had to be called in to kick them out.
Some abandoned their motorbikes as police lobbed tear-gas to disperse them.
Commuters urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene.
"It distresses me that he is not saying anything about the fuel shortage," commuter John Matoke said.
He paid Sh400 from Kilgoris to Kisii, double the usual fare matatus charge on the route.
Fares between Kisii and Ogembo jumped to Sh150 on Friday, sparking protests. Commuters usually pay between Sh70 and Sh100.
Fare for passengers plying Kisii-Keroka route increased to Sh200, with drivers blaming fuel shortage. Commuters normally pay Sh100.
Edited by A.N