Scores of boda boda riders and business owners in Murang’a town have expressed dissatisfaction at the recent review in fuel prices saying it will escalate the cost of living.
The residents say that the prices were having far-reaching consequences on households that were already feeling the pinch of increased taxes and generally, a tough economic environment.
In the latest pump price review, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has raised the prices of super petrol by Sh17 per litre to cost Sh211.64 up from Sh194.68.
Steven Kimani, a boda boda operator in Murang’a town, told KNA that high fuel prices were forcing them to hike fare which caused his regular customers to seek alternative means.
“I used to charge Sh50 for transportation of short distances within town but now I am charging Sh100,” said Kimani adding that he would have to work extra hard to make profits since the number of customers has reduced significantly.
Kimani said it was becoming a challenge for boda boda operators in general to sustain their livelihood, as customers complained about having to pay additional amounts due to the high cost of living.
He divulged that if the fuel prices continued to rise, he may have no choice but to consider leaving the boda boda business and explore other business opportunities.
“The recent surge in fuel prices has sparked anxiety among residents who heavily rely on transportation services or operate businesses that depend on transportation,” he said, adding that the government needed to take immediate measures to reduce fuel prices.
Meanwhile, the cost of kerosene went up by a whopping Sh33 to retail at Sh202.61 per litre up from Sh169.48 while diesel spiked by Sh21 to Sh200.99 from Sh179.67 in Nairobi and its environs.
As a ripple effect of the increase, residents will spend more on daily survival as the cost of energy and transport has a significant weighting in the basket of goods and services.
Phyllis Wambui, a businesswoman in Murang’a town who frequently travels to Nairobi to purchase goods for sale, told KNA that she fears that the rising fuel prices would eventually affect her profit margins and the business in general.
“I go to Nairobi at least three times a week because I have to restock goods in my shop. The current fare is Sh300 and the new fuel prices could cause matatu fare prices to increase thus affecting my business,” she said.
She added that her business is her only source of income that she uses to feed her children and sustain a living for her family.
“I am pleading to the government to urgently address this issue by implementing measures that will alleviate the burden of high fuel prices,” said Wambui adding that the spike in fuel prices is hitting at consumers in terms of cost of food and every other commodity that depends on fuel
Fuel prices have crossed the Sh200 mark for the first time in Kenya and the residents want the government to intervene and stabilize fuel prices in the country before the cost of living becomes unbearable.
By Anita Omwenga
