Easy Coach Lifts Ban On Carrying Of Fish In Its Buses After Uproar From Customers

• Kenyan long-distance bus company Easy Coach suspended the carrying of fish in its buses citing foul smell
• This caused an uproar on social media as travellers from Nyanza and Western Kenya claimed they were discriminated
• Easy Coach was forced to lift the suspension but asked its customers to pack fish products appropriately

Kenyan long-distance bus company Easy Coach has lifted the suspension of carrying fish in its buses after an uproar from customers.

Why Easy Coach made U-turn on fish

On Tuesday, August 15, the company said its customers can carry fish products on condition that they are packed appropriately.

"Following complaints raised by some of our clients on poorly packaged fish/fish products contaminating their accompanied luggage, we temporarily suspended the carrying of fish/fish products as accompanied luggage in our buses.

“The suspension has been lifted, and you can now carry your fried, dried, smoked, salted; mbuta , ngege, kamongo, omena etc, ONLY as accompanied luggage on our buses on condition that it is appropriately packed," Easy Coach stated.

How Kenyans reacted to Easy Coach's ban

On social media, Kenyans were up in arms against Easy Coach's fish suspension, forcing it to make a U-turn.

TUKO.co.ke sampled some comments:

Lawyer Miguna Miguna tweeted:

"If the problem is a foul smell, then introduce a policy on foul smell of everything, including dirty passengers and all food products. Provide safe, secure and hygienic compartments below the passenger deck for food."

Phanie Kwegah noted:

"Easy coach has fast forgotten it's the western route that made it what it is. Secondly, it's parcel service holds it up even when the passenger services decline, given the competition from the Nissans/Wishes and buses."

Brendan Awino said:

"This silliness will hasten your failure. Don't carry even those who eat fish. Carry only vegetarians and see how it goes."

Nyasikera added:

"Easy Coach banning fish transport from Sori, Kendu Bay, Mbita would be replaced by Chinese and fishpond supplies as well as those not-fit-for human consumption fish hawked along Nairobi-Nakuru highway."

Easy Coach vacancies

In a separate story, Easy Coach advertised vacant positions for drivers.

It indicated applicants must hold a clean class ABCE driving license, Automobile Association of Kenya certificate and Mercedes Benz bus driver certificate.

Applicants must also possess over five years of continuous Public Service Vehicle (PSV) bus driving and have a valid, current valid police certificate of good conduct.