Commuters Decry Hiked Matatu Fares

Kisumu,

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

KNA By Milton Onyango

Matatu and tuk-tuk operators in Kisumu have announced new bus fares blaming the hike on the increment in fuel prices nationally.

The operators plying services between town and the various estates in Kisumu announced a fare hike of at least 20 percent of what they have been previously charging which has translated to an increment of between sh. 10 and shs.20 on the previous charges.

The operators attributed the fare hikes to the increase in the price of fuel which they noted has resulted in a hike of nearly all other services and commodities that they noted has made life generally unbearable for the ordinary folks.

The operators including the commuters have now pleaded with the government to move with speed and institute measures to reign on the increasing cost of fuel and life in general.

The Chairman of Kisumu Matatu Owners’ Association Charles Obuya noted that the association has not issued any directives on the fare hikes as they have been waiting for directives from their national office led by Albert Karkacha which had announced a fare hike of up to 20%.

Obuya however decried the situation noting that even the commuters are hard-pressed economically due to the now-biting finance bill that inflated the tax on fuel from 8% to 16% spiraling the cost of fuel.

The locals have now called on the MPs and other leaders to take up the issue of inflated fuel prices in parliament and ensure they bring reprieve to the people.

The locals wondered why the fuel prices should hike such tremendously yet there has been no news of a hike in the prices of crude oil now for the past five running years. 

Courtesy; KNA