The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has thrown its weight behind a proposed law that would give it powers to regulate fares charged by public service vehicles (PSVs), arguing that the move would shield commuters from unjustified fare increases.
Speaking on Friday, August 7, NTSA Assistant Director for Road Safety Samuel Musumba said the proposed legislation would help resolve persistent complaints from passengers who are often subjected to inflated fares during festive and peak travel seasons.
"The bill allowing us to regulate fares is a good thing because most of the time you find that many passengers or commuters complain, especially about paying high fares," Musumba said.
"These things are always there, especially when many people are travelling, for instance in December, Easter or even January. During these periods, transport operators hike fares," he added.
Musumba maintained that transport operators should not exploit increased travel demand by imposing excessive fare hikes on commuters.
"It is not supposed to be like this where people complain about high fares during certain periods. Operators should not take advantage of such incidents. I hope that, if approved, it will help," Musumba stated.
At the same time, he noted that any framework for regulating fares must also take into account the financial pressures facing PSV operators, including changes in fuel prices and other operational costs.
"I hope they will also consider the transport costs and fuel prices. All these should also be considered before the bill's approval. Let us wait and see," he said.
Musumba's remarks come days after the National Assembly debated the National Transport and Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023 during its Second Reading on July 29, 2026.
If passed, the Bill would empower NTSA to approve and regulate fares charged by PSVs, replacing the current arrangement that allows operators to adjust prices without government approval.
While presenting the Bill, Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) Didmus Barasa argued that the absence of fare regulation has left Kenyan commuters exposed to exploitation.
"The problem in this country is that PSVs can charge any amount of money they want because they are not regulated," Barasa told MPs.
The lawmaker pointed to countries including Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Zambia and Nigeria, where governments play a role in setting or approving public transport fares.
He also faulted the common practice of increasing fares during rainy weather and other high-demand periods, saying commuters should not be forced to pay inflated prices simply because demand has risen.
"We cannot continue operating in a country where a commuter boards a matatu expecting to pay Ksh300, only for the fare to jump to Ksh500 because clouds have gathered," Barasa said.
