Today is one of those days that makes you realise how Kenyans are very clever.Monday morning was doomsday for most Kenyans after public service vehicles started a nationalwide strike over the introduction of the famous Michuki rules.
The working class was particularly hard hit by the strike as they were greeted by empty bus stations.
The only solace was motorcycles which took advantage of the situation and charged fares that would make you believe they had been tasked with the heavy burden of repaying Kenya’s debt to China.
Even for commuters who were willing to pay the high prices, many were turned off by the prospect of taking a long ride in a boda boda. It is a no brainer that motorcycles account for a significant number of fatalities registered on Kenyan roads.
The clever Kenyans, however, took advantage of technology to car pool and get to work without much delay. But not every Kenyan struggled to get to work,some were lucky and had it easy and arrived on time and without spending much trouble.
Now Transport CS James Macharia has issued an order requiring Kenya Railways to cut down commuter train fares by ten percent to caution Kenyans form the matatu strike that started this morning.
Macharia also directed Kenya Railways to increase the number of routes where it operates and further ensure that the trains increase frequency in the areas where they operate.
“To ensure the public will be able to continue with day to day activities in Nation Building, Kenya Railways is hereby directed to increase the number of and frequency of commuter trains on all routes and also reduce the fare by 10 percent until normal public transport resumes,” the Transport CS’s directive read in part.
Kenya Railways has since released a new train schedule that will see the commuter trains increase its frequency and routes in Nairobi.
The train will serve residents in Kikuyu, Syokimau, Kahawa, Ruiru, and Embakasi village.