Passengers and students heading to Nairobi were on Wednesday shocked after matatus at the Kitui bus park hiked their fares to the capital, a move they never anticipated.
Most of them were left stranded at the station as they could not afford the new prices set by the public service vehicles.
Usually, the matatus charge Sh500 from Kitui to Nairobi, however, passengers had to pay Sh600 to reach their destination.
According to passengers, the matatus had increased bus fares due to high demand as most schools are closing for second term holidays.
"We have been stranded here since morning. The matatus have increased the fares and with this economy, we cannot afford," one of the passengers said.
One of the matatu drivers said the hiked fare prices were due to the increased fuel prices following the passage of the Finance Act 2023.
