Matatus Forced to Refund Hiked Fares as Crackdown Intensifies

Matatu crew were on Tuesday forced to refund commuters the hiked fares they had charged as the crackdown on rogue operators intensified.

According to The Standard, a team of several police officers led by Kisii Central OCPD Francis Nguli erected road blocks along the town's major streets.

At one of the roadblocks along the Kisii-Ogembo road, several commuters were refunded their money after matatu operators decided to double the fare.

Police immediately arrested all those who had hiked fare from different destinations and ordered them to refund the extra amount.

Passengers, particularly the elderly, revealed that they normally pay Ksh70 between Kisii Town-Ogembo yet they were forced to part with Ksh150.

However, to their relief, the police intervened and issued last warnings to the operators over the exploitation.

During the crackdown in Kisii, more than 60 boda boda operators, touts and passengers were arrested and taken to court.

On Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i issued a directive to his officers to arrest and charge matatu operators hiking fare.

The CS had warned operators hiking fare that they risk losing their licenses if found guilty.

He further instructed traffic officers to stop matatus and ask passengers the amount of fare they have been charged.

Matiang’i had vowed that the government will not relent in ensuring that the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) comply with the law in a bid to restore sanity in the industry.

"I have been told that some operators have decided to withdraw their vehicles. That is fine; they can keep them at home as long as they want to because we are not changing our position," Matiangi quipped.

  • . .