Matatu operators in Kiambu on Thursday took advantage of the high number of sub-county residents attending Pope Francis's mass in Nairobi to cash in by hiking fares.
Hundreds of residents started commuting to Nairobi from as early as 2am forcing matatu operators to start business earlier than usual, but with a premium for the service.
A matatu operator plying the Kiambu-Nairobi route, Vincent Njenga, who spoke to this writer, revealed that on a normal day, they charge between Sh40-Sh50 from 6am to town.
However, he said Thursday was different following the large numbers of people who were heading to Nairobi to attend the mass by the Holy Father.
"Today matatus operators didn't sleep because we knew residents needed our services early this morning. As from 2am residents were already in the bus station and we were charging Sh100," said Njenga.
He revealed that this was a rare opportunity for them as he described Thursday as being his best day this year.
According to Stephen Mwai, a resident, on Thursday morning at around 3am he rushed to the station headed to town, but he was discouraged by the amount charged.
He revealed that this has forced him to follow the mass on his television set.
"I really wanted to be at the venue, but financial circumstances didn't allow. I didn't expect such an amount and calculating the cost, it also meant that due to the high number of people here who went, the fare is going to be the same when coming back," said Mwai.