As a way of supporting the common mwananchi, Matatu Owners Association (MOA) have announced that bus fares will reduce by 5 or 10 per cent.
Speaking to the press on Monday, MOA chairperson Albert Karakacha that the decision to drop the fares came after the drop in fuel prices on Sunday 14th April 2024.
Karakacha revealed that they have passed the communication to their members in Nairobi, Central, Mombasa and the Western part of Kenya even as they continue to hold consultations with their members countrywide for effective facilitation of the directive.
“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. If one used to pay Sh100 for a journey he/she will now get a reprieve of between Sh10 and Sh20.” Karakacha Said.
Through the MOA grassroot leadership, Karakacha said they will be monitoring the drivers and matatu owners ‘on the ground’s activities to ensure they are adhering to the fare drop.
While speaking to the press, he lauded the government’s input in reducing fuel prices. He further appealed to the government to also look into spare part and tryre prices saying they are being subjected to extremely high prices when in need of this services.
“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 said.
On Sunday, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), announced a drop in fuel prices retailing at Sh193.84 for super petrol,Sh193.84, Diesel at Sh193.84 and Kerosene at Sh170.06 in Nairobi.
This is so far the biggest margin drop in fuel prices which saw a litre of Super petrol decrease by Sh5.31, diesel by Sh10 per litre and Kerosene by Sh18.68 per litre effective from April 14, through to midnight of May 14, 2024.
Mombasa residents will purchase super petrol at Sh190.66, Diesel at Sh177.21 and Kerosene at Sh166.99 even as Nakuru residents purchase fuel at Sh192.90 for super petrol, Diesel at Sh179.82 and Kerosene at Sh169.56.
According to government’s spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, the lowering of the fuel prices will see a reduction in the cost of living among Kenyans thus making life easier for them.
“The reduced prices will significantly reduce the cost of living in the country, which has been a thorn in the flesh for many Kenyans,” Mwaura said on official social media pages.