Schools reopen as parents decry high expenses

As schools reopen across the country, theback-to-school rushhas exposed the deep strain Kenyan households face, with the high cost of living forcing parents to make difficult choices to keep their children in class.From crowded bookshops and slow-moving markets to chaotic bus parks, the start of the 2026 academic year paints a picture of resilience mixed with anxiety.Martha Marongo and her family buy books at Savani's Book Centre Ltd, Nairobi on January 4, 2026.[Elvis Ogina,Standard]For many families, preparing children for school has become an exercise in cutting costs. Parents say they are increasingly turning to backstreet bookshops, second-hand uniforms, and used supplies as incomes stagnate and prices soar.“I cannot afford everything new this year. I’ve reused last year’s uniform and boughtsecond-hand books. The economy is too harsh,” said a parent in Nairobi.Follow The Standard
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on WhatsAppThe same reality is reflected in bookshops. Martha Auma, a parent to a Grade 8 pupil, went window-shopping at Savani’s Book Centre and had to clear some book titles from her initial list.“I have reduced the number of books I’m buying, and I’m reusing uniforms where possible. Everything is expensive, yet salaries and incomes have not improved,” Auma said.Traders say the shift towards second-hand items is no longer occasional but has become the norm.Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, bookseller Nahashon Gathenya arranged stacks of textbooks, hoping for last-minute buyers. Unlike previous years when the street buzzed with activity, business was slow.“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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From crowded bookshops and slow-moving markets to chaotic bus parks, the start of the 2026 academic year paints a picture of resilience mixed with anxiety.Martha Marongo and her family buy books at Savani's Book Centre Ltd, Nairobi on January 4, 2026.[Elvis Ogina,Standard]For many families, preparing children for school has become an exercise in cutting costs. Parents say they are increasingly turning to backstreet bookshops, second-hand uniforms, and used supplies as incomes stagnate and prices soar.“I cannot afford everything new this year. I’ve reused last year’s uniform and boughtsecond-hand books. The economy is too harsh,” said a parent in Nairobi.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsAppThe same reality is reflected in bookshops. Martha Auma, a parent to a Grade 8 pupil, went window-shopping at Savani’s Book Centre and had to clear some book titles from her initial list.“I have reduced the number of books I’m buying, and I’m reusing uniforms where possible. Everything is expensive, yet salaries and incomes have not improved,” Auma said.Traders say the shift towards second-hand items is no longer occasional but has become the norm.Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, bookseller Nahashon Gathenya arranged stacks of textbooks, hoping for last-minute buyers. Unlike previous years when the street buzzed with activity, business was slow.“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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on WhatsApp

For many families, preparing children for school has become an exercise in cutting costs. Parents say they are increasingly turning to backstreet bookshops, second-hand uniforms, and used supplies as incomes stagnate and prices soar.“I cannot afford everything new this year. I’ve reused last year’s uniform and boughtsecond-hand books. The economy is too harsh,” said a parent in Nairobi.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsAppThe same reality is reflected in bookshops. Martha Auma, a parent to a Grade 8 pupil, went window-shopping at Savani’s Book Centre and had to clear some book titles from her initial list.“I have reduced the number of books I’m buying, and I’m reusing uniforms where possible. Everything is expensive, yet salaries and incomes have not improved,” Auma said.Traders say the shift towards second-hand items is no longer occasional but has become the norm.Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, bookseller Nahashon Gathenya arranged stacks of textbooks, hoping for last-minute buyers. Unlike previous years when the street buzzed with activity, business was slow.“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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“I cannot afford everything new this year. I’ve reused last year’s uniform and boughtsecond-hand books. The economy is too harsh,” said a parent in Nairobi.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsAppThe same reality is reflected in bookshops. Martha Auma, a parent to a Grade 8 pupil, went window-shopping at Savani’s Book Centre and had to clear some book titles from her initial list.“I have reduced the number of books I’m buying, and I’m reusing uniforms where possible. Everything is expensive, yet salaries and incomes have not improved,” Auma said.Traders say the shift towards second-hand items is no longer occasional but has become the norm.Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, bookseller Nahashon Gathenya arranged stacks of textbooks, hoping for last-minute buyers. Unlike previous years when the street buzzed with activity, business was slow.“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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on WhatsApp

The same reality is reflected in bookshops. Martha Auma, a parent to a Grade 8 pupil, went window-shopping at Savani’s Book Centre and had to clear some book titles from her initial list.“I have reduced the number of books I’m buying, and I’m reusing uniforms where possible. Everything is expensive, yet salaries and incomes have not improved,” Auma said.Traders say the shift towards second-hand items is no longer occasional but has become the norm.Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, bookseller Nahashon Gathenya arranged stacks of textbooks, hoping for last-minute buyers. Unlike previous years when the street buzzed with activity, business was slow.“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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on WhatsApp

“I have reduced the number of books I’m buying, and I’m reusing uniforms where possible. Everything is expensive, yet salaries and incomes have not improved,” Auma said.Traders say the shift towards second-hand items is no longer occasional but has become the norm.Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, bookseller Nahashon Gathenya arranged stacks of textbooks, hoping for last-minute buyers. Unlike previous years when the street buzzed with activity, business was slow.“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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on WhatsApp

Traders say the shift towards second-hand items is no longer occasional but has become the norm.Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, bookseller Nahashon Gathenya arranged stacks of textbooks, hoping for last-minute buyers. Unlike previous years when the street buzzed with activity, business was slow.“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

Traders say the shift towards second-hand items is no longer occasional but has become the norm.Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, bookseller Nahashon Gathenya arranged stacks of textbooks, hoping for last-minute buyers. Unlike previous years when the street buzzed with activity, business was slow.“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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on WhatsApp

Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, bookseller Nahashon Gathenya arranged stacks of textbooks, hoping for last-minute buyers. Unlike previous years when the street buzzed with activity, business was slow.“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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“Normally, by this time, I would have sold many books. This year,parents come, ask for prices, then walk away. Many are asking for second-hand books because they can’t afford new ones,” said Gathenya.In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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In Eastleigh, bookseller Wilfred Karugo described the current school reopening season as "one of the worst".  “This year has been a nightmare. In the past, during back-to-school, I could make over Sh10,000 a day. Today, since morning, I have sold only three books. Parents spent heavily during Christmas, and now the economy is very harsh,” he said.Nganga Githenji, a book seller along Kanda Street in Narok Town, arranges books for sale on January 5, 2025.[George Sayagie, Standard]Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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Meanwhile,back-to-school travellerswere met with few operators and hiked fares.“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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“We are stranded. The fare has doubled, and there are no buses,” said Peter Ouma, a frustrated passenger travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi.In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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In Kakamega, parents ferrying children back to school were stranded for hours as public transport struggled to cope with the surge in demand.Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletterBy clicking on theSIGN UPbutton, you agree to ourTerms & Conditionsand thePrivacy PolicySIGN UP“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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“It has been hectic and frustrating. Vehicles are few, fares are high, and schools are opening,” said Mary Akoth.Stay Informed, Stay Empowered: Download the Standard ePaper App!Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
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on WhatsApp

Passengers travelling back from festive season stranded at Kisii bus station on January 5, 2026.[Sammy Omingo, Standard].

Similar scenes were reported at other major towns across the country, where passengers waited for hours as operators blamed the chaos on high demand following the end of the holidays.Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

Despite the pressure, schools reopened with teachers guiding learners through thestart of the term.At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

At Langata Road Junior Secondary School in Nairobi, pupils arrived early to check lockers and settle in. In Kakamega, primary school head teacher Dickson Wanyangu addressed Grade 7 pupils, outlining expectations for the new term as Grade 8 learners arranged desks in readiness for lessons.Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

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