Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karakacha now says operators need two to three days to consult before reducing fares despite recent fuel price cuts.
Speaking in an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday, April 15, Albert stated that the decisions on the cost of travel, which had been hiked due to new oil prices set by EPRA, could not be made abruptly.
He stated that current prices will remain in place as the association communicates with stakeholders in the transport sector about a possible reduction.
Karakacha argued that as business people, it was not possible to make rash decisions on the prices without consulting with various organizations in the association and communicating the changes through the media.
“Okay, we need to be given more time. You see, if you go all over, when the price goes up, we will still maintain that we are businessmen. We cannot just wake up and decide we have to bring the prices down. So maybe we are given two to three days, we will be able to communicate through media,” Albert Karakacha stated.
Karakacha argued that the cost of several other commodities still affects the traveling cost, giving an example of spare parts for vehicles, which he said were still “very costly”, as were the costs of buying a vehicle.
According to Karachacha, two years ago, a vehicle cost approximately KSh4 million, while it currently costs about KSh7 million.
In addition to the purchase cost, he noted that the current price, after the reduction, remains high and is a disadvantage for the Matatu owners.
Also Read: Matatu Owners Announce Bus Fare Hike After New Fuel Price Adjustment
Albert Karakacha on Corruption Affecting Prices
On the other hand, Karakacha requested that the president take action against the alleged cartels behind the fuel price hike.
According to Karakacha, Kenyans will still face similar problems if no action is taken to eliminate the cartels, despite any changes that will be made.
Further, he stated that the Matatu owners were suffering due to the ongoing corruption cases within the police sector, which is rampant in the PSV sector.
Also Read: Matatus and Bus Operators to Be Fined Up to Ksh5 Million Under New Customer Data Handling Rules
Public Transport Fare Hike Due to New Fuel Prices
On April 14, Karakacha announced that revised public transport fares were to take effect from April 15, following the EPRA’s announcement of new fuel prices.
The EPRA announcement indicated that Super Petrol increased by KSh 28.69 per liter and Diesel by KSh 40.30 per liter.
Following the price adjustment, Super Petrol was to be retailed at KSh 206.97, Diesel at KSh 206.84, and Kerosene at KSh 152.78 in Nairobi for the next 30 days from April 14.
He, however, noted that despite the fuel price hike, the Matatu Owners Association had held consultations and agreed to reasonable price adjustments.
According to Karakacha, making adjustments in the costs due to the new cost structure would affect the delivery.
