Hundreds of students were stranded in Eldoret town on Thursday, February 29 as Uasin Gishu County Government implemented a new order requiring all matatus to operate exclusively from within the main bus station.

The directive, which came into effect abruptly, caught many by surprise, leaving students with no means of transportation to various destinations, including Nairobi and other parts of Kenya.

The move by the county government aimed to streamline public transportation and enhance control over matatu operations within the region.

According to the directive, all matatus were mandated to pick up and drop off passengers exclusively at the Eldoret bus station, a significant change from the previous system where matatus could operate from various points within the town.

As a result of this sudden change, chaos ensued in Eldoret as students in midterm break, who were preparing to travel to different parts of the country, were left stranded without clear alternatives.

The streets surrounding the bus station were filled with frustrated students, struggling to find a solution to their transportation predicament.

Local authorities, including traffic police and county officials, were on the scene to manage the situation.

However, the lack of immediate solutions and the absence of prior notice led to a tense atmosphere among the stranded students.

Matatu operators also expressed their displeasure with the sudden implementation of the directive, citing challenges in adapting to the new system without adequate preparation.