Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karakacha announced the increase on Thursday, saying operators could no longer absorb rising fuel and operating costs.
“We have consulted widely and told our members to increase fares by 10 per cent because we are businessmen and we need to make a profit,” Karakacha said.
The move follows the latest review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which raised pump prices effective October 15.
Karakacha accused President William Ruto’s administration of failing to honour an agreement the association says was reached in May.
According to the association, the government had committed to ensuring diesel prices remained stable.
“We are urging the President to honour the agreement we reached in Mombasa,” Karakacha said.
He warned that higher fuel prices would ultimately be passed on to commuters.
“We know very well that the common mwananchi is the one who is suffering when it comes to these increases,” he said.
The fare increase is expected to hit families particularly hard as schools begin closing next week, triggering increased travel by students across the country.
Karakacha said matatu operators were also grappling with higher costs of tyres, spare parts, insurance and loan repayments.
“I need to buy tyres, I need to buy spares, I need to pay my loan and I need to pay my insurance,” he said. “When fuel goes up, it eats into our profits.”
The association has, however, ruled out protests over the new fuel prices.
“For now, we cannot protest because we are businessmen. The only way is to increase the fare as we see what is going to happen,” Karakacha said.
The 10 per cent fare increase is expected to add further pressure on households already grappling with the high cost of living.
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