Kitale town matatu operators have joined the strike by their counterparts in some parts of Kenya that started last week to protest the new traffic law.

Boda boda operators in the outskirts of the town also boycotted work. Passengers traveling to Nairobi, Bungoma, Eldoret and Nakuru were the most affected as most had to postpone their journeys.

Matatus that opted to ignore the strike charged more than 100 per cent of normal fares. Those plying the Bungoma route for instance charged Sh500 instead of the usual Sh200 while those travelling to Eldoret charged Sh400 instead of Sh200. Several hotels in the town recorded major losses because their customers arrived late while some did not show up at their work places.