Residents of Kisii county traveling to various parts of the county are lamenting over hiked bus fares despite Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) cutting fuel prices.
Locals have now threatened to hold demos if matatu operators won't reduce bus fare by Monday next week.
"We are being exploited by matatu operators who are demanding a lot of money on grounds that the government has tightened rules. We are forced to pay Sh200 from Nyangusu to Kisii town from the previous Sh100," said Damaris Kemunto.
Another local Philip Onsakia protested that PSVs en route Kisii-Ogembo are charging Sh100 instead of Sh50.
"I was forced to rent a house at Mwembe area because I'm unable to pay Sh200 per day as fare daily from Kisii-Ogembo and vice versa. Matiang'i should act to ensure matatus are charging reasonable fares since they also buy fuel at low prices," said Onsakia.
Most PSVs in Kisii town have hiked fares as follows: Magena-Kisii town Sh150 hike from Sh70, Kisii-Etago Sh250 instead of Sh150, Kisii-Keroka Sh100 instead of Sh50, Kisii-Nyamira Sh150 an increase from the previous Sh80 while those traveling from Kisii-Migori pays Sh300-400 depending on the time of travel.
David Maonda, a matatu operator said the hike in fare prices was as a result of an increased number of people traveling.
"We hiked bus fare to meet the demand due to the tough road rules. No plans of reducing the fares anytime soon," he said.
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