Stranded passengers at Easy Coach Booking office in Kitale town on Tuesday. (Photo/Courtesy)
Many schools in Mavoko Sub County saw handful of children reporting for term one as the institutions re-opened today.
A spot check by this writer in Athi River, Mlolongo, Kinanie and Muthwani wards on Tuesday revealed that 90 percent of the children failed to report to school on the first day of opening.
The schools include both primary and secondary.
Teachers and parents who spoke to this writer attributed the situation to difficulties in travelling after National Transport Services Authority burned night operations of Public Service vehicles.
“The country is experiencing difficult times during this period, our children are stuck upcountry due to inadequate PSV vehicles and extremely hiked transportation charges,” said Mary Aulo.
Aulo said five of her children were stranded in Kisumu after they travelled to the village for the Christmas holidays.
The Mlolongo resident said three of the children were to report to school today while the other two are expected in their respective secondary schools in Machakos County tomorrow (Wednesday).
She said vehicles from Kisumu had doubled transportation charges from Sh1000 to 2,000 arguing she could not afford to pay Sh10,000 for the five children.
The situation is the same in most parts of the country.
Travelers are finding it difficult to move from towns to upcountry and vis a vis as schools re-open due to the hike.
Teachers who spoke to this writer said the ban on PSV operating in long distance routes had contributed to the situation.
They said there were less vehicles operating on the routes during day time.
The parents said the government should re-consider its stand on night travels to avert the situation.
“What we are pleading for is the government to lift the ban sothat our children report to school, some of our relatives are also stranded upcountry despite the fact they should be reporting to work this week,” said Everline Wanjala.