NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 15 – Commuters in Kenya relying on Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) for transportation should prepare for more challenging economic conditions ahead.
This comes in response to an announcement from the Matatu Owners Association (MoA) regarding an impending fare increase.
The association’s Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Mutheu, informed Capital News that fares would be raised by 20 percent by midnight Saturday in light of the recent hike in fuel prices, as declared by the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
EPRA, in its latest update, increased fuel prices to Sh16.96 for petrol, Sh21.32 for diesel, and Sh33.13 for kerosene.
Consequently, the retail prices for a liter of petrol, diesel, and kerosene in Nairobi now stand at Sh211.64, Sh200.99, and Sh202.61, respectively.
“We took that deliberate decision because the other alternative would be for us to close shop,” Mutheu said.
While hinting at the adverse impact of the fare increase on passengers, Mutheu expressed that they had been left with “no choice” but to make the adjustments.
“Adjusting is necessary otherwise, we will be left with no business to run,” she said.
However, she revealed that the association intends to approach the government soon to explore potential measures to cushion passengers in light of the fuel price hike.
“We have no timeline on that but we hope that a meeting can happen soon so that we can devise ways on how best commuters can be cushioned,” she said.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has already cautioned Kenyans that fuel prices are set to rise by Sh10 every month until February 2024, owing to the escalating global crude oil prices.
On his social media platform, the Cabinet Secretary encouraged Kenyans to prepare for these economic challenges.
Fuel plays a pivotal role in various sectors of the economy, including transportation, industries, and households.
