Matatu operators have increased their fare charges to cash in on a doubled number of travellers to Nairobi. The sudden surge in numbers of those travelling to the capital has been attributed to supporters of Kenya's former premier, Raila Odinga who are attending a rally at Uhuru park.
Taxi operators and bus managers said they had been receiving a number of group bookings since Monday.
Scores of buses have also been hired in various parts of the country to ferry CORD supporters to the rally as some supporters decried a shortage of buses.
Mr Odinga, who has been in the US on a lecture tour that lasted nearly three months is expected to address a rally at Uhuru Park on Saturday after he lands in the city.
On Thursday, the organising committee was putting final touches to the preparations for the rally that received a go-ahead from the police on Wednesday after the Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo reversed his ban on the same.
CORD leaders Farah Maalim, Jakoyo Midiwo, James Orengo and Junet Mohamed were upbeat, saying they expected a big turnout at Uhuru Park. They also urged the police to provide security for the thousands of supporters at the rally and promised that peace would prevail.
Mr Mohamed said they will neither engage in hate speech nor ethnic slaying and invited members of the Jubilee coalition to the rally which will address issues facing Kenyans.
Mr Odinga, who flew from the US on Wednesday morning, arrived in Dubai Thursday and is expected at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 1pm on Saturday. He will address an international press conference at JKIA before moving to Uhuru Park.
In Kisumu, several hundreds of Mr Odinga’s supporters hired buses to ferry them to the rally. Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura said leaders from the region had hired the buses to ensure the county was properly represented at the event.
In the North Rift, ODM and Ford Kenya parties also hired buses while other supporters opted to use private means to travel to Nairobi.
“Almost all delegates and majority of CORD supporters are expected to attend the meeting in large numbers,” Uasin Gishu ODM secretary, Charles Tanui said.
ODM officials from Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties Thursday met at an Eldoret hotel to finalise travel arrangements.
Similar arrangements took place in Nandi, West Pokot and Bungoma counties. Some of the supporters left for the city rally two days ago.
In Trans Nzoia, Ford Kenya chairman Ferdinand Wanyonyi said they will ferry their supporters to the rally.
Security will be tight at the venue, with more than 1,000 police officers stationed in Uhuru Park in addition to sniffer dogs and police horses.
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