Matatu fares are set to increase by 10 per cent following the latest rise in fuel prices, Matatu Owners Association Chairman Albert Karakacha has announced.
Karakacha said the increase was necessary as operators grapple with rising fuel costs, vehicle maintenance expenses and shrinking profit margins.
He accused the government of failing to honour agreements reached with matatu operators in Mombasa, saying the commitments were intended to ease the financial pressure on the public transport sector.
Among the key agreements, according to Karakacha, was the duty-free importation of 100,000 electric vehicles, a reduction in insurance premiums and a halt to further fuel price increases.
He said the parties had agreed on a 90-day timeline to address the issues, but claimed that little progress had been made.
“The President has failed to honour the agreement we had in Mombasa,” Karakacha said.
He further accused the Transport Cabinet Secretary of failing to respond to the association’s efforts to follow up on the commitments.
“We have been trying to push the CS Transport, he is no longer picking our calls,” he said.
Karakacha also said the association had expected the governor involved in the discussions to act as a guarantor but claimed that attempts to reach him had been unsuccessful.
The chairman said previous fuel price increases, particularly those introduced in May, had significantly affected operators’ businesses.
He noted that matatu owners had to meet recurring costs, including fuel, vehicle repairs and replacement tyres, while also dealing with alleged corruption within the sector.
“The increment from May up to now has eaten our profit margin. We are operating on negative,” Karakacha said.
The latest fuel price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, effective October 15 to November 14, raised Nairobi’s Super Petrol price by KSh12.93 per litre to KSh226.96, while Diesel rose by KSh9.90 to KSh227.76 per litre.
The proposed 10 per cent fare increase is likely to place additional pressure on passengers who rely on matatus for daily transport.
Karakacha maintained that the operators needed urgent government intervention to address rising operating costs and implement the commitments made during the Mombasa meeting.
