Kenyans received welcome news as Matatu operators swiftly responded to the recent reduction in fuel costs announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) yesterday.
Following EPRA’s announcement, Brendan Marshall, a prominent member of the Matatu Owners Association (MOA), addressed the media, confirming that fares would be reduced by an average of Ksh20 depending on the specific route.
Marshall emphasized that for instance, if a Sacco previously charged passengers Ksh70 during off-peak hours, the fare would now decrease to approximately Ksh50.
However, Marshall clarified that fares during peak hours would remain unchanged.
Reflecting on recent fuel price fluctuations, Marshall highlighted the gradual increase by the government, which had risen by approximately Ksh50 or more last year. He noted a recent cumulative drop of around Ksh10, yet expressed that for significant impact, a wider reduction was necessary.
“While we appreciate the efforts of the government, particularly under President William Ruto, the adjustments in fares will be minimal. Therefore, people should not anticipate drastic changes,” Marshall stated.
He further explained, “During off-peak hours, slight adjustments will be made to accommodate more passengers. However, fares during peak hours will remain constant. For instance, if the fare was Ksh100, it will continue at the same rate.”
Marshall expressed optimism that passengers would benefit from continued drops in fuel prices in the months ahead.
EPRA’s adjustments saw the prices of petrol, diesel, and kerosene decrease by Ksh7.21, Ksh5.09, and Ksh4.49 respectively. This resulted in petrol dropping below the Ksh200 mark to retail at Ksh199.15, while diesel and kerosene were priced at Ksh190.38 and Ksh188.74, respectively.
