Matatu Owners Association (MOA) President Albert Karakacha has asked his colleagues to increase fares by 10 per cent after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) raised the price of fuel by KSh9.90 per litre on Thursday, October 15, 2026. As a result, the cost of taking matatus will go up as the drivers will add the price they had to pay extra to pump the fuel to the passenger.

The price of diesel per litre, as of Nairobi, has touched a new peak of KSh227.76, while the super petrol was at KSh226.96. From now till Thursday, November 14, drivers will have to charge their passengers more because they can no longer bear the additional costs of using the fuel.

“We are businessmen; we will pass it on to the consumer. We cannot be the ones cushioning the expenses while making losses,” Karakacha told The Standard.

MOA’s decision to raise the fares will affect all those who use matatus to commute, travel to work, and attend their respective schools. However, the amount will differ from one person to another depending on the route and the driver.

In addition to the above request, Karakacha accused the President of Kenya, William Ruto, of going back on a promise that he made to transport bosses in the coastal city of Mombasa. He argued that the Head of State assured them that he would not allow diesel prices to rise, so his current action was surprising.

“In Mombasa with the President, he promised us that he would not increase diesel prices,” the MOA boss claimed, citing an assurance from the Head of State.

Karakacha urged the President to rescind the order to increase the price of diesel and said the additional costs will affect regular citizens.

According to EPRA, the recent adjustments are due to the change in the landed cost of petroleum products. In addition to diesel, the regulator raised the price of super petrol by KSh12.93 per litre and kerosene by KSh28.49 per litre.

The MOA directive will affect ordinary citizens as they will have to ask the drivers to confirm whether they have adjusted the fares as per the new directive when travelling.