On Monday, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i gave a stern warning to matatus charging exorbitant fares to stop doing so or risk having their operation licences withdrawn.
Matiang'i asked any overcharged passengers across the country to report such matatus to traffic police manning roadblocks along their routes for action to be taken against the culprits.
However, this is easier said than done. In Thika for instance, 2TS Sacco matatus that ply the Kiganjo-Makongeni-Thika town route continue to charge Sh50 instead of the usual Sh30.
Buses that ferry passengers from Thika to Nairobi on Tuesday morning were charging Sh200 instead of Sh70. Between Githurai and Nairobi fares were between Sh100 and Sh150 instead of Sh30.
Matiang'i's directive has widely been ignored at least by the majority of PSVs plying the Thika road route. This may continue till all matatus are back on our roads for the following reasons.
1. Coward passengers
One of the reasons why passengers even lose their lives on Kenyan roads as a result of careless driving is because many lack the guts to stand up to rogue matatu crews. So, do you expect them to stand up against the same guys over hiked fares?
2. Public mistrust of traffic police
Travellers have always watched traffic police officers abet lawlessness and absurdity on our roads in exchange for money. For the public to start perceiving these law enforcers differently and report to them such incidences, it may take some time.
3. It is all about demand
As long as many PSVs continue to be grounded awaiting compliance, the demand for the available matatus will continue to be high. And when demand is high, the price must go up.
4. Desperate travellers
At the moment many travellers' worries are not about the hiked fares. Their biggest concern is to get a matatu to get them to and from work at whatever cost. Period!
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