Prices of Goods Could Increase From Tomorrow - Atwoli

File image of Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli
File image of Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli
File

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Francis Atwoli has asked Kenyans to brace for tough times ahead after fuel prices were reviewed upwards.

Atwoli's warning came after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) released new fuel prices expected to take effect beginning Monday, February 15.

The COTU boss wrote a letter on Sunday, February 14, expressing condemning and expressing his displeasure at the manner in which the regulatory body has been increasing fuel prices arbitrarily. He argued that the marginal increase in fuel prices was likely to affect prices of goods as early as Monday.

He further argued that the high fuel prices was unfair to Kenyans especially at a time when most of them are struggling to make ends meet owing to the pandemic.

A petrol station attendant pumping fuel into a car.
A petrol station attendant pumping fuel into a car.

"COTU do strongly condemn the move by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) for its decision to adjust prices of petroleum products by all time high at a time many Kenyans are facing the most difficult moments in their life owing to the hard economic times the country faces today.

"The move will automatically lead to increased prices on the consumer products across Kenyans as well as transport costs where workers will be at pain to bear the extra costs in fares and fueling of their vehicles," read the letter in part.

He further noted that the affected sectors will include transport as well as basic commodities and urged President Uhuru to intervene.

"This is a form of impunity and we will not entertain and call on the president himself to immediately address these concerns because effective tomorrow, prices of basic commodities will go up as fares will in order to cushion players in these sectors.

"COTU is afraid that cartels have since taken over the oil industry and unless deliberate efforts are made to reverse this trend that has now become the hallmark of EPRA, businesses will close, workers will lose their livelihoods and more Kenyans will further be confined into abject poverty and Kenyans will simply run out of options," he continued.

EPRA on Sunday, February 14, announced new fuel prices marking a significant increase. Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene increases by Ksh8.19, Ksh5.51 and Ksh5.32 per litre respectively.

The new prices will be in force from Monday, February 15, to Sunday, March 14.

The new fuel prices in Nairobi are as follows: Super Petrol Ksh115.18, Diesel at Ksh 101.91 and Kerosene at Ksh 92.44 per litre. The previous fuel prices retailed at: Super Petrol Ksh106.99, Diesel Ksh96.40, Kerosene Ksh87.12.

In Mombasa, Super Petrol will retail at Ksh112.78, Ksh99.52 for Diesel and Ksh90.05 for Kerosene. Nakuru's new fuel prices will be Ksh114.85 for Super Petrol, Diesel will retail at Ksh101.81 while Kerosene will go for Ksh92.36.

File image of a petrol station
An undated image of a petrol station in Nairobi.
File