Residents raise concerns over fuel prices hike

Uasin Gishu, Thursday, May 18, 2023

KNA by Mahmoud Kamau /Caren Ruto

Matatu Operators in Uasin Gishu have expressed mixed reactions following the recent announcement by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority that saw pump fuel prices go up by Sh 3, Sh 6 and Sh 15 for petrol, diesel and kerosene respectively.

The state of the economy of Kenya which has led to the high cost of living has been a topic of concern for many Kenyans especially with the recent increase in fuel prices.

Currently petrol, diesel and kerosene pump prices in Eldoret stand at Sh 182.50, Sh 168.60 and Sh 161.30 respectively.

The sudden increase in the prices of fuel has elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans especially owners of public service vehicles who feel the trend will negatively impact on their daily profit.

Moses Kamau, a matatu owner in Eldoret plying Nakuru-Eldoret route and who has been in the industry for five years, expressed his distress with the fuel hike.

He revealed that the overall cost of maintenance, employee daily wages, and insurance has surged from Sh 3,000 to a staggering Sh 5,000.

Faced with this financial burden, Kamau reluctantly made the decision to lay off one driver and a conductor to relieve himself some of the burden.

Adding to his challenges, Kamau disclosed that his matatus are currently financed through loans, making it increasingly difficult to meet the repayment obligations.

The matatu operator fears auctioneers might soon seize his vehicles due to his inability to service the debts.

In addition, he is caught in a dilemma whether or not to increase fares to offset the rising costs, but he acknowledged the plight of his passengers, who are already struggling with the high cost of living.

On his part Dominik Ong'ao, a boda-boda operator in Eldoret town says the high fuel price has forced him to spend a larger percentage of his income in refuelling thus reducing his daily take-home earnings.

"We are looking forward to increase transport costs but passengers oppose, we are therefore incurring losses," said Ong’ao.

The motorists have called the government to come up with measures to cushion Kenyans especially the business community from the high cost of living brought about by the increased cost of fuel and cost of basic commodities.

Moses Mrono a passenger says that it has been hard for him to travel from Eldoret to Nairobi for his business trip, stating that he only travels in case of an emergency. He noted that ticket prices have increased by Sh 400 from Sh 800 to Sh 1200 which is expensive. 

"Fuel determines the price of all products, everything is completely devastated,” said Mrono.

Every evening at a fuel station in Eldoret, standing on the queue are normally people of various ages holding small plastic bottles seeking to buy kerosene.

These households who use the fuel mainly for cooking and lighting, are feeling the pinch due to rise in the price of the commodity.

"An increase in kerosene means more expenses for me because I now have to buy in smaller quantities," said Lydia Moraa, a mother of three who lives in outskirts of Eldoret town.

She added that the kerosene she uses for cooking all her meals on a stove, initially lasted three days. Before early this year, the same money would afford her a litre of fuel but due to the rise this buys her less than three-quarters of a litre.

David Njoroge who has been working for ten years as a matatu driver say that this year has been their hardest time in work. Njoroge confirms on how he has failed to meet his family responsibilities due to the high cost of living.

He urged the government to find ways of reducing the cost of living for its citizens through reduced cost of fuel and basic commodities.

Courtesy; K.N.A