Kenya Railways explains why students sat on the floor in train
By Mary Wambui |
The government postponed the opening date to May 13, prompting an abrupt surge in demand for transport.
The Kenya Railways has acknowledged receiving overwhelming demand for passenger tickets between Sunday and Monday this week, leading to the scenes of students sitting on the floor in photos that have since gone viral.
In a statement, KR's Managing Director Philip Mainga said the affected students did not include those who had booked before the initial school opening days.
"We wish to inform members of the public that following the announcement by the government on the reopening of primary and secondary schools, the corporation has received an overwhelming demand for passenger services between Sunday, May 12, and Monday, May 13, 2024, including students wishing to travel back to school in time for reopening," Mainga explained.
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The firm had offered to extend the validity of the tickets purchased for Monday, April 29, to May 3 to between May 6 and May 10, following the postponement of the school opening day.
However, the government postponed the opening date to May 13, prompting an abrupt surge in demand for transport.
The firm explained that it had prepared for the demand by introducing additional coaches in both first and economy classes to accommodate the students who had booked earlier before the postponement of the opening dates but was met with an overwhelming demand for seats.
"We assure all our customers that the corporation is doing everything possible to ensure that no passengers, including students, are left behind and that all students arrive safely at their various destinations," the statement added.
The majority of schools resumed for the second term today, with minimal disruptions being reported across the country.
The government had announced prior plans to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of learners, teachers, and parents, including deploying police officers in critical locations and along major roads to monitor traffic laws violators and ensure smooth movement of traffic.
In a statement released Sunday, May 12, the Interior Ministry explained that adequate security measures were put in place in all bus termini and other strategic locations with police deployed to ensure enhanced movement of vehicles and persons travelling, especially schoolchildren.
"This is in addition to the deployment of traffic police officers along critical highways to monitor traffic violations such as speeding, overloading, and the use of unroadworthy vehicles," the statement added.
The Ministry also urged parents to ensure the safety of their children to and from school between 6 am and 6 pm.
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