Several leaders continue to oppose the hike of fuel prices in the country announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority on Wednesday.
The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Francis Atwoli is the latest to oppose the changes calling on President Uhuru Kenyatta to come out and explain to Kenyans the move by the Authority.
“As COTU, we would like to remind His Excellency the President that Kenyan workers are suffering and that he should not tolerate the impunity, punishment, and the affront towards Kenyan workers by bodies such as EPRA.
We want His Excellency the President to come out and make a statement on this unfair perpetual increase in fuel prices. The President should, himself, explain to Kenyans why the government is hellbent on increasing the pain and suffering of Kenyan workers and Kenyans in general amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Atwoli.
He questioned why the government took such an outrageous move at a time when many Kenyans are going through an economic crisis occasioned by job losses, heavy taxation, and slashed salaries due to Covid-19.
“It only costs Sh.49.84 to import a litre of petrol from the Middle East while an average Kenyan has to pay an extra of around Sh.84 for every litre of petrol purchased. Interestingly, Uganda, which is a landlocked country, retails its petrol at Sh. 110 compared to Kenya’s Sh. 134,” Atwoli stated.
In its latest review, (EPRA) raised super petrol prices by Ksh.7.58, Kerosene ksh7.94, and diesel Ksh12.97 per litre.
A litre of petrol in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, will now cost Ksh.134.72, diesel Ksh 115.60, and Kerosene Ksh110.82.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his ANC counterpart Musalia Mudavadi have also condemned the latest changes.
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