Bus fares across the country will soon drop by upto 10 per cent, Matatu Owners Association (MOA) chairperson Albert Karakacha has said.
Speaking to the Star on Monday, Karakacha described the fare cut as a way of supporting Kenyans even after the changes in fuel prices.
He revealed that they are in consultation with their members countrywide to facilitate the same.
So far, the MOA chairperson said, they have passed the communication to their members in Mombasa, Nairobi, Central and Western Kenya.
“We have told our guys to bring down the fare to support the common mwananchi because without them we can’t do business. We will be lowering the bus fare by around five to 10 per cent,” he said.
Explaining the cut, Karakacha said, “If a passenger used to pay Sh100 for a journey he/she will now get a reprieve of between Sh10 and Sh20.”
To ensure that drivers and matatu owners ‘on the ground’ are adhering to the fare drop, he said they will be monitoring the same through the MOA grassroot leadership.
While appreciating the government’s move to lower fuel prices, Karakacha urged them to also ensure that the prices of spare parts and tyres are lowered.
He complained that they are still subjected to high prices in the occasion that they need to get vehicle spare parts and new tyres.
“We appreciate what President William Ruto is doing but going forward, he needs to talk to the people selling spare parts and tyres because they are still expensive. They are still talking about the rising dollar yet we can see it is coming down,” he said.
On Sunday, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), announced a drop in the retail price of fuel, by the biggest margin so far.
A litre of Super petrol decreased by Sh5.31, diesel by Sh10 per litre while Kerosene went down by Sh18.68 per litre.
In Nairobi, super petrol will retail at Sh193.84, Diesel at Sh180.38 and Kerosene at Sh170.06.
Mombasa residents will purchase super petrol at Sh190.66, Diesel at Sh177.21 and Kerosene at Sh166.99.
In Nakuru, the price of fuel will retail at Sh192.90 for super petrol, Diesel at Sh179.82 and Kerosene at Sh169.56.
Before the review, the pump prices in Nairobi were Sh199.15 for super petrol, Sh190.38 for diesel and Sh188.74 for kerosene.
The new prices will be in effect for the next month, from April 14, through to midnight, May 14, 2024.
“The reduced prices will significantly reduce the cost of living in the country, which has been a thorn in the flesh for many Kenyans,” the government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said on official social media pages.
