Summary
- Matatu operators have increased fares immediately after EPRA fuel hike
- Diesel rose by Sh40.30 per litre, driving transport costs up
- Operators say the increase is unavoidable due to rising operating costs
NAIROBI, Kenya- Transport operators and matatu saccos across the country have raised fares following the latest fuel price hike announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
The changes took effect at midnight, with commuters now set to pay more for daily travel.
Why matatu fares are rising immediately
The fare increase comes after EPRA sharply raised fuel prices for the April–May cycle.
Diesel—widely used in public transport—rose by Sh40.30 per litre, while petrol increased by Sh28.69.
New Nairobi prices now stand at:
- Sh206.97 for petrol
- Sh206.84 for diesel
- Sh152.78 for kerosene
Operators say the diesel spike has made it impossible to maintain current fares.
Transport operators warn of rising costs
The Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) warned that the increase has significantly disrupted cost structures.
Fuel accounts for about 55pc of total transport operating costs, meaning any price shift has an immediate impact.
According to KTA estimates, the latest hike has pushed overall operating costs up by around 13 to 14pc.
The association has advised members to urgently adjust pricing or risk unsustainable losses.
What commuters should expect next
Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karakacha confirmed that fare increases are unavoidable.
He said operators had already begun implementing new charges, passing the cost burden to passengers.
While EPRA noted that the government reduced VAT on fuel from 16pc to 13pc and used Sh6.2 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy to cushion consumers, the relief appears insufficient to offset the sharp diesel increase.
For commuters, this means higher daily expenses, with transport costs expected to ripple into food prices and other essentials in the coming weeks.
