Wednesday, April 15,
2026 - Commuters across Nairobi and other parts of the country are set to
dig deeper into their pockets after the Matatu Owners Association announced a
25 per cent increase in fares.
The announcement came on Wednesday, April 15th, a
day after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) raised petrol
and diesel prices by Ksh28 and Ksh40, respectively.
Operators argued that the sharp rise, particularly in diesel
costs, has eroded their daily earnings, forcing them to adjust fares to remain
afloat.
“We agreed that we are going to increase fares by 25 per cent. For
example, in Nairobi, a vehicle gives you about Ksh8,000 per day, and an
increase of diesel by Ksh40 takes almost Ksh2,400 per vehicle daily.”
“Our profit is going down,” a representative explained.
He added: “We urge the public to understand it is not our
wish to go this direction. We call on the government to bring back the
subsidy.”
The adjustment will immediately affect common routes in
Nairobi and surrounding estates.
Fares from the CBD to Kawangware, Kibera, and Mathare are
expected to rise from Ksh80 to Ksh100.
Trips costing Ksh100, such as to Nyayo Estate, will increase
to about Ksh130, while longer routes like Rongai and Thika could jump from
Ksh150 to Ksh190.
Upcountry travel will also be hit.
Nairobi-Migori fares have risen from Ksh1,400 to Ksh1,800,
while Nairobi-Mombasa trips now cost Ksh2,000, up from Ksh1,500.
Journeys from Mombasa to upcountry have climbed to Ksh3,000
from Ksh2,500.
The association is now urging Government intervention,
warning that without subsidies, fare hikes will become routine whenever fuel
prices rise.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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