Bus firm on the spot after driver, conductor abandon passengers

More than 60 passengers were stranded for almost 30 hours in Mombasa after they were abandoned by their driver and conductor at Kibarani in an unroadworthy vehicle on Sunday night.

The passengers were travelling to various towns in Western and Nyanza regions.

The bus, belonging to Prestige Shuttle, is claimed to have at first delayed its departure for hours before leaving the station at Mwembe Tayari.

It then stalled at Kibarani where the passengers say the conductor and the driver disappeared, leaving them alone in the cold night unattended and with no communication.

Mr John Otieno, one of the passengers said they have had to spend even more money than they expected in their journey.

“Why are we being treated like animals. Such bus companies should not be allowed to operate. We were left in the dark and at Kibarani with children and in the cold,” Mr Otieno said.

Ms Colleta Achieng’, a mother of a one-year-old child who made a booking on August 1 intending to travel to Katitu, said this was unfair and inhumane treatment.

“We waited for the bus from 1.45pm which was the indicated departure time and by 8.30pm we were still at the station. Why would you subject women and children to such a state,” she said.

The passengers had to seek police intervention and called the Central Police Station where they spent the better part of Monday afternoon.

The OCS Barnabas Chumo ensured that another bus was brought to the station and warned Kenyans against using ‘cheap’ buses.

He said it was unfortunate for the passengers to have been delayed and subjected to the long waiting hours with no communication from the bus company.

Mr Chumo said the police are pursuing the matter with the bus company.