Matatu Fares To Go Down After EPRA Decreased Fuel Prices

The Matatu Owners Association (MOA) on Monday, April 15 announced a decrease in matatu and bus fares just a day after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) lowered the fuel prices for the period between Monday, April 15 and Tuesday, May 14.

MOA Chairman, Albert Karakacha revealed that the price cut was a way of supporting Kenyans, adding that they are in consultation with their members countrywide to facilitate the same.

Karakacha stated that so far, the communication has been passed 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 told The Star. 

Explaining the cut, Karakacha said, "If a passenger used to pay Ksh100 for a journey he/she will now get a reprieve of between Ksh10 and Ksh20."

Based on the chairperson's sentiments, a passenger who was paying Ksh100 for instance to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and back, with the Ksh10-Ksh20 deduction, would pay between Ksh90 and Ksh80.

To ensure that drivers and matatu owners 'on the ground' are adhering to the fare drop, he announced that they will be monitoring the same through the MOA grassroots 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, lamenting that they still have to part with high prices in case 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 continued.

EPRA announced on Sunday, April 14 that the price of Diesel was reduced by Ksh10 per litre, an announcement that only just corroborated President William Ruto's promise of a Ksh10 reduction in fuel prices.

However, Kerosene recorded the biggest drop at Ksh18.68 per litre as Super Petrol decreased by Ksh5.31 per litre.

With the new prices that took effect at midnight, Nairobi motorists currently pay Ksh193.84 for Super Petrol, Ksh180.38 for Diesel and Ksh170.06 for Kerosene.

The prices are inclusive of the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) in line with the provisions of the Finance Act 2023, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2020 and the revised rates for excise duty adjusted for inflation as per Legal Notice No. 194 of 2020.

Across the country, motorists in Mombasa are now paying Ksh190.66, Ksh177.21 and Ksh166.99 for a litre of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene respectively.

In Nakuru, motorists pay Ksh192.90 for petrol, Ksh179.82 for diesel and Ksh169.56 for Kerosene. Those in Eldoret now pay Ksh193.67, Ksh180.59 and Ksh170.32 for petrol, diesel and kerosene respectively.