Matatu operators across the country have been put on notice following a sharp hike in public transport fares that critics claim far exceeds the actual rise in fuel costs. On Monday, April 20, 2026, the Taxpayers Association of Kenya issued a stern warning to Public Service Vehicle (PSV) associations, accusing them of exploiting commuters under the guise of “fuel shocks.”
The lobby group argued that while a slight adjustment is expected whenever fuel prices rise, the current 25% fare increase seen on many routes is a case of “exorbitant profit-taking.”
The Math of the Hike: Nairobi to Nakuru
To prove their point, the association provided a detailed breakdown of the operational costs for a standard 14-seater diesel matatu on the 160-kilometer trip from Nairobi to Nakuru.
-
Fuel Consumption: A round trip (320 km) consumes approximately 32 liters of diesel.
-
The Price Gap: With diesel rising by Ksh 18.35 per liter (from Ksh 178 to Ksh 196.63), the total extra cost for the vehicle per round trip is roughly Ksh 587.
-
The Fare Reality: Operators on this route have reportedly increased fares by up to Ksh 300 per passenger. For a full 14-seater, this generates an additional Ksh 4,200 per trip.
“If you do your mathematics rightly, matatus are making exorbitant profits,” the association stated. “This is uncalled for, and we should not continue to rob Kenyans in broad daylight.”
Refusal to Lower Prices
The association expressed particular concern over the “downward stickiness” of fares. They noted that while operators were quick to raise prices when the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) initially spiked costs, they failed to lower them after the government reduced VAT on fuel from 13% to 8%, which brought the pump prices down slightly.
A Call for Proportionality
The lobby group is now calling on matatu associations to exercise restraint and professionalism. While acknowledging the tough economic climate, they insisted that fare reviews must be proportional to the actual increase in operational expenses.
“We are calling all the associations to observe this despite the economic challenges,” the statement continued. “Increases should be used to cover real costs, rather than as an opportunity to profit at the expense of commuters already grappling with a high cost of living.”