Editor's Review

Karakacha said that the citizens are forced to bear the brunt of the government's inaction to ensure low fuel prices.

Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karakacha has directed its members to increase fares by 10 percent following the October-November fuel price review.

Karakacha explained that the fare increase was necessary for business, after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a Ksh9.90 per litre n increase in diesel costs.

He further accused President William Ruto of reneging on his promise that there would be no increase in diesel prices, and warned that the 'betrayal' would be felt most by the common Kenyan.

"As the association, we have consulted widely and have told our members to increase fares by 10 percent because we are businessmen and we need to make a profit," Karakacha said.

The MOA President hinted that the new prices will take effect immediately and apologised to parents. He empathised with them as they would bear the brunt of paying higher bus fare for their children who are closing for the long holiday.

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A file photo of students boarding a matatu.

"Today, tomorrow and Monday, schools are closing, and the majority of parents had budgeted for the fare. We are sorry for them because we have to increase the fare so that we can continue to do business," he stated.

Karakacha said that the Ruto government, which said it is going to take care of the hustlers, needs to come out clearly on how it will reduce the taxes on fuel.

He further alleged that Ruto's administration had done nothing to fulfil some of the promises it made to public service operators in May when they went on strike.

The MOA President noted that some of its members were still being auctioned by lending institutions for defaulting on loans, yet the government had promised to mediate their case with the banks.

He added that while Ruto promised to zero-rate the importation of 100,000 electric buses, the policy has not been implemented.

"We have been trying to push the Minister for Transport, but he does not pick our calls. We urged the President to fulfil what we agreed during the talks in Mombasa," Karakacha.

Earlier, EPRA increased the price of diesel by KSh 9.90 per litre while the cost of petrol was hiked by Ksh12.93 at the pump. Kerosene recorded the biggest increase in the review at Ksh28.49 per litre.