Matatu Users To Dig Deep Into Their Pockets As Fuel Price Hikes

Kenyans who use Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) will have to pay a lot more than the usual starting today, Monday June 20, in response to the high cost of fuel.

This follows a review last week by the Energy and Petroleum Authority (EPRA), which saw fuel prices rise by Ksh.9 across the board.

According to recent price reviews conducted by PSV operators and The Federation of Public Transport Sector, the move will affect all routes across the country.

“The federation hereby resolves that with effect from Monday, June 20, 2022 fares payable on public transport vehicles countrywide shall be adjusted upwards by 20 percent,” said the lobby’s chairman Edwins Mukabanah.

Similarly, the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has asked its members across the country to raise transportation charges, claiming that the current fares are unsustainable due to fuel price increases.

According to the association’s Chairperson, Simon Kimutai, several routes in Nairobi will see fares increase by between Ksh.20 and Ksh.50.

Routes charging Ksh.100 will be forced to charge between Ksh.120 and Ksh.150, according to Kimutai. Other routes will be charged at the same rates.

Since May, the price of super petrol in Nairobi has risen 5.96 percent to Ksh.159.12 per litre, with diesel and kerosene costing Ksh.140 and Ksh.127.94, respectively.

The fuel subsidy, which currently covers Ksh.25.56 for super petrol consumers, Ksh.48.19 for diesel, and Ksh.42.43 for kerosene, is set to be phased out by the National Treasury.

Without the cover, petrol would cost Ksh.184.68 per litre, while diesel and kerosene would cost Ksh.188.19 and Ksh.170.37 per litre, respectively.

The exchequer has issued a warning that the cost of the fuel subsidy has reached an unsustainable level, posing a fiscal risk to the stabilization mechanism.