Travellers were on Thursday morning stranded at Kitui bus park after they found bus fares hiked to almost twice the normal amount.
A spot check revealed that the move affected several students who were to resume their studies as schools reopen on January 3. From Kitui to Mwingi, the matatus were found charging Ksh.400 instead of the usual Ksh.300.
From Kitui to Machakos, the fare stood at Ksh.500 instead of Ksh.300. Kitui to Nairobi public service operators were charging commuters Ksh.700 instead of the usual Ksh.400.
Fares from Kitui to Mombasa stood at Ksh.1500 instead of Ksh.1000.
Teachers across the country had threatened to strike from Wednesday over transfers and promotions that they said were not agreed upon. They urged parents to keep their children at home but the Employment and Labour Relations Court declined to allow the strike.
On Wednesday, Justice Bryan Ongaya ordered teachers to resume work and have their officials from the union engage in conciliation talks with the employer.
The Teachers Service Commission was also barred from effecting transfers pending a ruling on the matter on February 15, 2019. This saw learners and their parents throng bus stations on early Thursday morning after over a month-long holiday.