Kenyans travelling upcountry are facing fresh financial pressure after major long-distance bus companies announced fare hikes just days after the latest fuel price review by Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority triggered a sharp increase in diesel and petrol prices.
The new fare adjustments, announced by several transport operators on Friday, come amid growing anger over rising living costs and fears of wider economic disruption across the public transport sector.
Earlier this week, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority increased the price of super petrol by Ksh16.65 per litre and diesel by Ksh46.29 per litre in its latest monthly review, while kerosene prices remained unchanged.
The steep rise in diesel costs has particularly shaken the transport industry, with most long-distance buses and public service vehicles relying heavily on diesel-powered fleets.
Among the first companies to revise fares was Transline Classic, which issued a public notice confirming immediate price changes on several major routes.
Under the revised rates, passengers travelling between Nairobi and upcountry destinations via Narok will now pay Ksh1,700 in either direction. Travellers using the Kisii–Kisumu route will pay Ksh700, while fares between Kisii and Nakuru have risen to Ksh1,000.
Transport operators say the increases are unavoidable as fuel costs continue to squeeze profit margins and operational sustainability.
“We are experiencing unprecedented pressure from rising diesel prices, maintenance costs, spare parts, and inflation,” one industry official said. “Without adjustments, many operators risk severe losses.”
At the same time, Ena Coach also announced revised fares, citing the sudden fuel price spike as the primary reason behind the changes.
Passengers travelling from Nairobi to upcountry destinations through Narok will now pay Ksh1,700, while those using the Nakuru route will part with Ksh1,800.
The Nairobi–Mombasa route has been adjusted to Ksh2,000, while travel between Kisii and Kisumu will cost Ksh700. Meanwhile, fares between Mombasa and several upcountry destinations have risen to Ksh3,000 in either direction.
The latest fare hikes come as pressure mounts across the entire transport industry.
Just hours before the long-distance bus announcements, Public Service Vehicle operators in Nairobi declared an immediate 50 per cent fare increase, warning that the rising fuel prices had drastically reduced their daily earnings and made normal operations increasingly unsustainable.
Speaking to the press, PSV representatives accused authorities of failing to cushion transport operators and ordinary Kenyans from the escalating cost of living crisis.
The operators further announced plans for a nationwide PSV strike beginning Monday, May 18, warning that continued fuel hikes could cripple the sector if urgent intervention is not made.
The developments are expected to trigger wider concerns over inflation and the rising cost of travel, especially for thousands of Kenyans planning upcountry journeys in the coming weeks.
With transport costs often affecting food distribution and commodity prices, economists warn the fuel increases could have ripple effects across multiple sectors of the economy.
Also Read: ENA Coach, Transline Adjust Prices Amid Rising Diesel Costs