Karakacha Urges EPRA to Consider Further Fuel Price Cuts as Diesel Drops by Sh5

Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karakacha has welcomed the Sh5 reduction in the price of diesel but called on the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to consider further cuts, saying the latest reduction remains too small given the decline in global fuel prices.

Karakacha said while the reduction is a welcome development for the public transport sector and millions of Kenyan commuters, more needs to be done to translate falling international fuel prices into meaningful relief for ordinary citizens.

The latest review by EPRA has reduced the price of diesel by Sh5 per litre, bringing it to Sh217.86 per litre in Nairobi. The new prices take effect on Saturday, August 15, 2026, and will remain in force until September 14, 2026.

Super petrol and kerosene prices remain unchanged at Sh214.03 and Sh191.38 per litre in Nairobi, respectively.

Karakacha said the reduction follows a decline in the cost of imported diesel but argued that Kenyans should benefit more substantially when international fuel prices fall.

“We welcome the Sh5 reduction, but we are appealing to EPRA to do more. The whole world is experiencing a decline in fuel prices, and we believe Kenyan consumers should also feel a more significant benefit from that reduction,” Karakacha said.

He said Sh5 per litre, although helpful, has limited impact on matatu operators who consume significant quantities of diesel while serving millions of passengers every day.

According to Karakacha, fuel remains one of the biggest operating expenses for public service vehicles, alongside vehicle maintenance, insurance, licences, wages and other costs.

He said a more substantial reduction would provide greater relief to operators and could contribute to easing the cost of transportation for passengers.

“The Sh5 reduction is a step in the right direction, but it is still very little. We are asking EPRA to look at the figures carefully and give Kenyans more relief where the market allows,” he said.

Karakacha noted that the cost of fuel has a ripple effect across the economy, influencing transportation, the movement of goods and the cost of essential commodities.

He said millions of Kenyans rely on matatus every day to travel to work, schools, markets, hospitals and businesses, making fuel prices an important component of household expenditure.

The Matatu Owners Association president said operators are also feeling the pressure of high operating costs and that meaningful fuel reductions would help create a more sustainable public transport sector.

He urged EPRA to continue monitoring global oil prices, the cost of imported petroleum products and other factors used in determining domestic fuel prices to ensure that reductions are passed on to consumers whenever possible.

Karakacha also called for greater transparency in the fuel pricing process, saying transport operators and passengers need to understand how changes in international prices are reflected in the local market.

He said the association appreciates the work of EPRA but believes there is room for further intervention to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of living.

“This is not about matatu owners alone. It is about the ordinary Kenyan. When fuel prices come down significantly, the benefit should be felt by the mwananchi through lower transport costs and, ultimately, reduced pressure on household budgets,” he said.

Karakacha said any additional reduction would also provide breathing space for public transport operators, many of whom are struggling to balance rising operating expenses with the need to keep fares affordable.

He appealed to the government to continue looking for ways of reducing the cost of doing business in the transport sector while maintaining high standards of safety and service.

He said the matatu industry plays a critical role in Kenya’s economy and deserves policies that allow operators to remain viable while protecting passengers from unnecessary increases in transport costs.

Karakacha further said that falling global fuel prices present an opportunity for Kenya to provide direct economic relief to citizens.

“We appreciate the reduction, but we are saying there is still more room to do better. If the international market is coming down, let Kenyans also enjoy a meaningful reduction at the pump,” he said.

He urged EPRA to take the concerns of the transport sector into account during its next monthly review and consider a further reduction if market conditions support it.

Karakacha said the association remains ready to engage EPRA and other government agencies on ways of ensuring that fuel pricing supports both transport operators and passengers.

He maintained that a stable and affordable fuel market would benefit not only the matatu industry but also businesses, households and the wider Kenyan economy.

While welcoming the latest reduction, Karakacha said the message from the transport sector is clear: Sh5 is appreciated, but more can and should be done.

He called on EPRA to continue reviewing the market and pass on any additional reductions to consumers.

The Matatu Owners Association boss said Kenyans should not merely hear that global fuel prices have fallen; they should be able to feel the difference in their daily lives.

For millions who depend on public transport, he said, every meaningful reduction matters.