Hundreds of students returning to schools across the South Rift region after being sent home over unpaid fees have been left stranded following the ongoing motorists’ strike.
This has disrupted learning and exposed families to mounting transport challenges.
The students, some of whom had already spent nearly three weeks at home after schools reopened for the second term, were spotted alongside their parents waiting for hours at bus stops as public transport vehicles remained scarce.
With most matatus off the roads, private vehicles, especially Probox cars not licensed to operate as public service vehicles, took advantage of the crisis by ferrying passengers at inflated prices.
The few matatus that continued operating also sharply increased fares, arguing that they were risking attacks and harassment by operating during the strike.
Parents and students expressed anger at school administrators for sending learners home despite a government directive barring schools from dismissing students over fees arrears.
Led by Joyce Sigira and Margaret Maina, the parents said the situation had negatively affected their children’s education and emotional wellbeing.
“This strike has not only interrupted learning but has also subjected our children to psychological torture,” said Sigira.
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Maina accused school heads of disregarding government guidance despite the release of capitation funds.
“The government already released capitation money, so there was no justification for sending these children home,” she said. “Teachers who ignored the directive should face disciplinary action.”
The strike also disrupted school transport services across the region after several schools failed to dispatch buses over fears of attacks and uncertainty in the transport sector.
Many parents had prepared their children for school as usual before receiving last-minute communication that school buses would not operate.
Between 5am and 8am, periods normally characterised by heavy movement of school buses across residential estates, roads remained unusually quiet. Only a handful of motorcycles operated in most areas, while public service vehicles were nearly absent.
Several schools later confirmed that drivers and conductors had been unable to report to work in time due to disruptions caused by the strike.
At Chelsa Academy, management informed parents that learning activities dependent on the school transport system would remain suspended for the day.
“We apologise to all parents and children for this inconvenience, and we promise to make the right preparations in advance moving forward,” the school director said in a communication to parents.
The disruption comes amid escalating tensions in the transport sector after operators threatened nationwide demonstrations over the ongoing fuel shortage crisis.
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The National Police Service (NPS) sought to calm the situation, assuring Kenyans of adequate security and urging the public to continue with normal activities despite reports of a planned strike.
In a statement signed by NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, police said security measures had been heightened and warned against unlawful conduct.
“The public is urged to remain calm, continue with their daily activities, and cooperate with law enforcement officers,” the statement read.
However, many parents said the reality on the ground remained chaotic.
Florence Langat, a parent at Saza Academy, said she only realised too late that school buses would also be affected by the broader transport paralysis.
“I totally forgot that school buses are part of the general transport system and they are affected as much as the rest of the transport,” she said while waiting outside her home with her child fully prepared for school.
“It’s hard to imagine that fuel is the real driver of the economy of this country,” she added.
Langat said even people working short distances from home were now reluctant to travel because of uncertainty surrounding transport availability.
“I work just around here but even I cannot risk leaving the house,” she said. “I can’t help but imagine that most businesses across the country will remain closed because people have no way of getting to them.”
“How will they even get customers?” she posed.
The school transport paralysis has intensified concerns over fuel shortages reported in recent days, which have been linked to delays in fuel clearance at the Port of Mombasa. The delays have triggered panic buying and fears of wider economic disruption.
Transport operators had earlier warned that prolonged fuel supply challenges would cripple movement nationwide, affecting schools, businesses and normal economic activity.
For many families, Monday morning served as a stark reminder of how heavily daily life depends on stable transport and fuel systems.
As uncertainty persists, parents and school administrators remain anxious over whether transport operations will normalise in the coming days or whether disruptions could extend deeper into the school term.
By Kimutai Langat
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