Matatu fares to increase from tomorrow

The Association of Matatu Operators has resolved to increase fares starting Monday September 3, 2018.

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the association chairperson Jimal Ibrahim Hassan said the move was prompted by the new fuel levy announced by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Saturday.

Matatu fares will now increase by between Ksh.10 to Ksh.30 depending on the routes, revealed Mr. Hassan.

The resolution follows a statement from the Motorists’ Association of Kenya calling on its members to boycott the increased fuel prices by participating in a strike.

According to Mr. Hassan, the hike in fuel prices proves that “the government does not care about the common mwananchi.”

“What we have decided as Matatu Operators is that, instead of going on strike, we will increase the fares,” he stated.

“How we will do this is that if, for instance, fare to Kawangware (from the CBD) during rush hour is Ksh.50, we will raise it to Ksh.70.”

Mr. Hassan further stated that: “According to the old rates, if you were spending Ksh.7,000 on fuel per day on the Kawangware route, the new levy will mean that you now spend about Ksh.10,000.”

The association boss also urged the parliamentary committee on transport to summon Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich to answer queries on the new fuel levy.

According to a statement from ERC released on Saturday, Nairobi motorists will now pay Ksh.127.80 while those in Mombasa will pay Ksh.124.49.

Mandera motorists will pay the highest for super petrol at Ksh.141.61 followed by Wajir (136.06), Liboi (135.24), Marsabit (134.71), Garissa and Maua (132.37), Isiolo (131.03), Meru (130.49), Mtito Andei (130.45) and Nkubu (130.21).