Students and residents of Maseno have raised concern over exploitation by matatu and bodaboda operators as the semester comes to an end.
Due to the high demand for public transport Matatu operators are reported to be taking advantage of the students and residents by hiking fare prices.
Most students are incurring high costs to get home for the holidays as some operators have doubled the prices at the same time charging huge fees for their luggage.
Amos Nganga says he has been forced to delay his travelling by some two days since he can’t afford the increased price saying the fare alone to Kisumu has been doubled, from the normal Sh100 to Sh200.
“These operators are taking advantage of the students wanting to exploit us but since don't have an alternative, we are forced to pay,” said Judy Chumba.
Mercy Akinyi, a fourth year student at the university says she has had to adjust her expenditure in anticipation of the increase throughout her study period.
"Since I was in first year during opening days and closing days prices are hiked but I am used to this so I must always have extra cash since their prices keep on varying," she says.
Some students have taken advantage to earn some extra cash while at the same time helping their fellow comrades.
Simeon Kyullu a student of Maseno University has come up with ‘Kyullu’ buses where students book in advance and pay much favourable prices.
“Due to the problems I have seen my fellow comrades go through at the end of the semester I saw it wise to introduce a much safer, cheaper and sure means of transport the ‘Kyullu’ buses which covers basically Kisumu-Nairobi although I am looking forward to extend to other regions,” he said.