NAIROBI, Kenya, April 17 – Residents of Wajir County have petitioned the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) over what they term as exploitative airfares on the Nairobi–Wajir route.
Through H&H Advocates LLP, the residents raised concerns about high ticket prices, citing fares of up to Sh12,000 for a one-way trip, significantly higher than the Sh5,000 to Sh10,000 charged on other domestic routes.
The petition also flags a recent increase in fares to as high as Sh15,000, arguing that the pricing is excessive and unjustified.
“In particular, the imposition of unfairly high and exploitative prices in a market where consumers are dependent and competition is limited constitutes a classic instance of abuse of dominance,” the law firm said in its submission to CAK.
“The pricing observed on this route appears excessive, disproportionate, and unsupported by any transparent cost justification.”
The residents are now urging the regulator to launch a formal investigation into airlines operating on the route, including a review of fare structures, cost components and market dynamics.
They have also called for a broader market inquiry into domestic aviation services in northern Kenya to determine whether there is abuse of dominance or anti-competitive conduct.
The petition seeks regulatory intervention, including guidance on fair pricing, measures to boost competition, and enforcement action against any airlines found to be in violation of competition laws.
