Matatu owners and operators have announced plans to hike fares across the country owing to the recent increase in fuel prices.
Speaking in Meru town on Friday, April 15, Chairperson of the Association of Matatu Operators, Jimal Ibrahim, noted that all Public Service Vehicles (PSV) will hike fares by at least 20 per cent.
Justifying the move to increase commuting fees, Jimal explained that most operators are now finding it hard to service their loans. The situation has escalated making hundreds lose their vehicles to credit facilities such as banks.
Jimal further urged the government to increase crackdown on petrol stations that are selling adultered fuel to motorists and capitalising on the current fuel shortage.
Chairman of Meru County Matatu owners also supported the decision to increase commuting prices, noting that the decision was unanimously agreed on by other matatu saccos across the country.
Wanja Karuku, the vice-chairperson of Meru Nissan Sacco, said as matatu owners they were suffering due to the high cost of fuel.
The announcement comes two days after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced an increase in fuel prices to a record high.
In the price review for the period between April 15 and May 14, the price of a litre of super petrol was increased by Ksh9.90 to a pump retail price of Ksh144.62.
Diesel will retail at Ksh125.50 while Kerosene will retail at Ks113.44 per litre. Diesel and kerosene costs also increased by the same margin of Ksh9.90 per litre.
"The average landing costs of super petrol jumped from Ksh78,177.53 (USD 676.70) per cubic metre to Ksh94,137.66 (USD814.85). Diesel increased from Ksh78,248 (USD 677.31) to Ksh97,571 ( USD844.57) while Kerosene jumped from Ksh71,577 (USD619.57) to Ksh80,054( USD692.95)," EPRA Director General, Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, remarked.
To address the issue of hoarding fuel and economic sabotage, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) under George Kinoti summoned over 10 Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) managers to shed light on the issue.
