The government has now turned the focus to matatu fares regulation to stop exploitation of millions of Kenyans who depend on public transport.
A motion introduced by Bomachoge Borabu MP Zadoc Ogutu in parliament questioned why matatu’s had increased fare to almost 100% since the introduction of the Michuki rules.
Transport cost should be constant irrespective of the time of the day without considering off peak hours and changes in weather.Mwananchi should not be extorted by the matatu industry in the name of bribing the police. pic.twitter.com/2M3CtByMIc— Babu Owino (@Babu_Owino) March 7, 2019
According to a concerned citizen:Unprofessional handling of the matatu sector hurts the economy because by controlling prices more often and changing them daily hinders people from planning because they cannot determine a rough figure .
If you ask how a matatu asks for fare , how do they arrive at the figure ,?
How does rain affect fare ,on what ground is it determined
The Sacco’s should hire accounts to calculate and determine the prices .
The ministry has drafted amendments to the Traffic Act and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Act seeking to control fares charged by PSVs across the country.
Chief Administrative Secretary Chris Obure, said the proposals are at an advanced stage with the legal department in the ministry and will soon be presented to the Cabinet for adoption before being presented to Parliament.
The ministry seeks to amend Section 119 (1) of the Traffic Act by introducing a new sub-section that will allow the Cabinet Secretary to prescribe the regulation of PSV fare tariffs.
Once the amendment has been effected, the Cabinet Secretary will have a legal mandate to determine the formulae for establishing the tariff, review mechanism of the tariff and penalty for non-compliance.
The ministry further wants amendment of section 4(2) of the NTSA by introducing a new sub-section that will allow for establishment of PSV fare tariffs.
“The amendments will ensure effective regulation of fare tariffs by the authority similar to the regulation of petroleum process by the Energy Regulatory Commission,” Mr Obure told MPs.