Matatu and boda-boda operators in Tharaka Nithi County have reacted differently to the new fuel prices announced by EPRA on September 15.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority on Thursday announced new fuel prices which differed in different towns.
According to the statement released, super petrol now goes for Ksh 179.30 with an increase of Ksh 20, Diesel increased by Ksh 25 to Ksh 165 and Kerosene Increased by Ksh 20 to Ksh 147.94 in Nairobi
“Taking into account the weighted average cost of imported refined petroleum products and in line with government policy to progressively remove subsidy on petroleum fuels, the changes in the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices in Nairobi are as follows: Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene increase by Ksh 20.18 per liter, Ksh 25 per liter and Ksh 20 per liter respectively,” read the statement in part.
In Chuka town, Tharaka Nithi County diesel retails at Ksh 166.60 and petrol for Ksh 180.90
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Matatu operators in the town however decided to keep intact their matatu transport charges as most of their customers now were parents and students.
“Our travel charges remain the same at the moment. It would be inhuman to hike prices immediately since most of the travelers are students and parents that had not anticipated an increase in the prices”, a matatu tout said.
People travelling from Chuka to Embu will still get to pay Ksh 250, and those travelling to Meru Ksh 300.
Boda-Boda operators on the other hand increased their commuter charges, as their chairman Willis Mugambi stated they needed to conduct a profitable business.
“We woke up to new prices at the pump and we are asking our customers to bear with the situation. If we ask you to pay more, kindly note that we are not taking advantage of the situation”, Mugambi said.