Matatu operators have resolved to hike bus fares, following the increase in fuel prices as announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA)  on Tuesday, September 14.

Confirming the decision Jamal Marlow Rohosafi, Chairman of Association of Matatu Operators, through his social media page on Wednesday, September 15, shared a post stating that the new increased charges will be effective from Thursday, September 16.

“From tomorrow we will increase our fare due to fuel hike. kindly bear with us,” the post read in part. 

Branden Marshall, a top official of the matatus SACCOs and Public Service Vehicles (PSV) stated that they are all in agreement with Jamal’s notice of hiking fare.

He stated that to survive increased fuel prices, most matatus will have to scrap off-peak hours making passengers pay a flat rate at whatever time of the day.

“Matatus cannot just be working on fuel alone, we must survive. To cushion the industry and also for us to survive, most SACCOs are planning to scrap off-peak hours in our schedules,” he said.

He complained that the recent changes in fuel prices have really hurt the matatu industry, which is still struggling to get back on its feet after the effect of the pandemic.

“The pandemic really hurt our industry. We have been crawling and the government is not doing anything to save us but instead making it even worse,” he stated.

This move to hike bus fare follows the increase in the price of petrol, diesel and kerosene.

The retail prices for petrol increased by Ksh 7.58 per liter to retail at Ksh 134.72 in Nairobi while diesel increased by Ksh7.94 to retail at Ksh115.

Kerosene, on the other hand, had increased by Ksh12.97 to retail at Ksh110.2.

In Mombasa, petrol increased to Ksh132.46, diesel at Ksh113.36 while kerosene shoot up to Ksh108.57.