The Central Organization of Trade Unions in Kenya (COTU-K) has come out to condemn the move by the government to increase fuel prices.
In a statement on Thursday, COTU-K through their Secretary General, Francis Atwoli opposed increase of fuel prices and asked the President to come out and make a statement on the burning issue.
“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 covid 19 pandemic," the statement read.
Atwoli warned the government that the effect of the fuel price increment would lead to unrest from all quarters.
“Unless their policies place Kenyan workers at the centre then they should prepare for unrest from all quarters,” he noted.
Atwoli said COTU was opposed to the inconsiderate increase in fuel prices and urged the government to be innovative with how it raises taxes.
“At the same time, 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,” he added.
The Secretary General also made a comparison of fuel prices in other East African countries, wondering why the cost was so high in Kenya.
“It only cost Ksh49.84 to import a litre of petrol from the Middle East while an average Kenyan has to pay an extra of around Ksh84 for every litre pf petrol purchased,” he added.
“Interestingly Uganda which is a landlocked country retails its petrol at 110 compared to Kenya Ksh134.” he noted
They also lamented to the fact that apart from the increased fuel prices, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will from October 1, 2021, commence implementation of the new tax rates.
On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, EPRA noted that prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene had increased by as much as Ksh7 per litre for the next 30 days
