How Much Commuters Will Pay After Matatus Hike Fare for 5 Nairobi Routes

by Mark Obar on Tuesday, 4 July 2023 - 2:20 pm

President William Ruto trying the job of a matatu conductor at the DP Karen residence on June 24, 2020.

DPPS

Matatu Owners Association (MOA), on Tuesday, July 4, revised fares upwards by between 15 to 30 per cent in line with the new fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Friday, June 30.

MOA Chairman, Albert Karakacha, explained that adjusting fares will cushion the investors in the transport sector from incurring losses.

New Fares in Nairobi

Rongai residents will part with Ksh30 more after the Matatu Owners Association increased fares on the route from Ksh100 to ksh130.

Different matatu saccos along Ronald Ngala Street majorly occupied by matatus heading to Umoja Estate in Eastlands in August 2019.

Photo

Motor Trends

However, during off-peak hours, matatu operators will charge the commuters nearly Ksh90.

Passengers who ply Jogoo Road in the Eastern parts of Nairobi will dig deeper into their pockets after the operators increased the fares from Ksh 80 to around Ksh110.

Off-peak journeys will cost them Ksh60 from the regular average of Ksh40 to Ksh50.

Thika Road users will pay an equivalent to their Rongai counterparts as the operators raised fares from Ksh100 to Ksh130 for a one-way trip to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

Touts will charge Ksh90 during off-peak hours. The same prices apply for Waiyaki Way commuters, comprising Kikuyu, Regen, Kinoo, Muthiga and Uthiru residents.

Passengers travelling from Kitengela Town along Mombasa Road will be charged Ksh130 during peak hours and Ksh70 during off-peak.

While reviewing fuel prices, the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) cited the doubling of the Value Added Tax (VAT) from eight to sixteen per cent pursuant to the Finance Act, 2023.

In Nairobi, petrol trades at Ksh195.53, up from Ksh179 per litre, while diesel and kerosene cost Ksh179.67 and Ksh173.44 per litre, respectively.

"Accordingly, EPRA has recalculated the maximum pump prices that will be in force from July 1 to July 14, 2023, taking into account VAT at 16 per cent," read part of the statement by EPRA.

The new prices were unveiled despite the High Court issuing a temporary injunction on the implementation of the Finance Act 2023 pending the determination of a petition filed by Busia senator and activist, Okiya Omtatah.