Matatus not ready to lower fares in Christmas despite ease in the pump
Kenyans will have to wait a little longer for a reduction in fares, and those waiting for good news from matatu owners will have nothing to smile about.
This is after the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) announced that despite the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority announcing a reduction in fuel prices in its latest review, the operating cost remains the same.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, December 21, MOA chairman Albert Karakacha said they spend a lot on buying car parts and maintaining their vehicles.
However, Mr Karakacha said if fuel prices continue to drop, matatu leaders will meet to discuss the possibility of reducing prices.
“Fuel dropped a week ago. We are trying to do research because if you go to the market you will find out that the spare parts are still high and the tyres are still very high but we will review as time goes by,” said Mr Karakacha.
In the latest review of fuel prices, the regulator announced a Sh5 reduction in the price of petrol, a Sh2 reduction in diesel and a Sh4 reduction in kerosene.
On the contrary, as witnessed in September, the matatu sector was quick to increase fares by Sh20 when fuel prices went up.
As the majority of Kenyans travel to the interior for Christmas and New Year celebrations, drivers have been asked to be cautious in their fare collection.
“We thank the government because they’ve tried to bring down fuel prices and going forward, because of the Christmas issue, we’ve urged our members to be very cautious when they charge the fare. We will be there to make sure that passengers are not harassed.
Drivers have also been asked to exercise caution and discipline on the road to ensure that passengers reach their destinations safely.
“We want to urge our members, wherever they are, to ensure that drivers obey the law in terms of road safety to ensure that our passengers get where they need to go this Christmas.”
A spot check at various booking stations in Nairobi shows that fares have been increased by various companies, forcing people to dig deeper to travel.
A passenger travelling from Nairobi to Kitale is being asked to pay between Sh1,700 and Sh1,900, an increase from the original Sh1,200.
Those travelling to Kisumu by bus or shuttle will be charged up to Sh2,000 and for trains, Sh600 for economy seats and Sh2,000 for premium seats.
The matatu sector has also welcomed the return of traffic police officers to the roads, saying it will help reduce cases of indiscipline, thereby reducing the chances of accidents as Kenyans travel.
“We are urging the Inspector General of Police to make sure that the plans are successful, and going forward we should have trained police officers because we’ve been traffic police officers who are not trained, and we are urging them to reduce the cases of corruption because it has really affected our business.”