Public transport was on Wednesday morning paralyzed in major highways in Nairobi following the increment of parking fee for public vehicles by the Nairobi county government.
The parking fee that was recently increased from 4,000 shillings to 10,000 shillings has angered the matatu operators who are now left with nothing to take home at the end of the day.
According to George Otieno an operator with matatu poa plying the Nairobi Githurai route the increment was absurd having taken place without consulting transport stakeholders in the country.
Otieno now reveals that they may be forced to hike matatu fares to cater for the increased parking fees.
Routes that have been greatly affected include Thika road near Pangani footbridge with others blocking Jogoo road by abandoning their vehicles at Donholm round about.
However, by 7:20am, business was as usual along Ngong road, Langata road and Mombasa road.
Operators along Langata road, are said to have hiked fare and are now charging passengers Sh150.
The operators had earlier warned they would go on strike over what they claimed to be betrayal by the Nairobi County governor Dr Evans Kidero.
AUTHOR: BEN GUMO