Matatu operators along the Nyamira-Kisii road have found themselves on the receiving end by area residents following fare increase despite significant drop of oil prices across the country.
A group of commuters in Nyamira town on Tuesday asked the government, through the Ministry of Transport, to move in with speed to combat alleged impunity in Kenya’s preferred transport sector.
According to them, matatu owners have violated a directive from the government to reduce charges following affirmative action by the Energy Regulatory Commission to reduce fuel prices towards the end of February.
“I am a frustrated man because of the impunity harbored in the matatu sector. It is unfair to increase fare from Sh100 to Sh120 from Nyamira to Kisii town. We expected them to reduce the burden for us since some of us are regular commuters,” said Evans Kebaso.
“I request the government to intervene and have some of these people arrested for exploiting a common mwananchi. This must be done expeditiously for the sake of us,” he added.
Christopher Onyancha wondered why the sector always disobeys directives from higher authorities despite hard economic times Kenyans are going through.
However, area matatu association chairperson Atandi Erick dismissed the allegations by terming them ‘untrue and malicious’, saying the sector was under close supervision from the government.
“We are law-abiding citizens and these are just untrue and malicious allegations against us. We are law obedient people and I believe we are charging between Sh80 to Sh100 between the two towns,” he said.