Kericho: Residents and transport operators in Kericho have appealed to the government to sustain and strengthen fuel stabilisation measures ahead of the next Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) fuel review scheduled for June 14 following the recent rise in pump prices that has continued to exert pressure on household incomes and business operations.
According to Kenya News Agency, the appeal comes amid growing concern over the increasing cost of transport and essential commodities after petrol prices rose to about Sh214.30 per litre while diesel climbed to approximately Sh243.60, triggering a ripple effect across the local economy.
On Monday, Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi and the Matatu Owners’ Association held a long day meeting in a bid to resolve the contentious fuel crisis, after which the CS instructed the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to reduce the diesel prices by Sh10.
At the same time, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi recently said the government was engaging stakeholders in the energy sector and reviewing ongoing interventions, including fuel stabilisation programmes, to cushion Kenyans from the rising cost of living and shield the economy from volatility in global oil markets.
In Kericho town, public transport operators said the continued rise in fuel prices has significantly increased operational costs while reducing the number of passengers using public service vehicles. Kericho Matatu Operators’ Chairman George Wakulu said operators were struggling to balance affordable fares for passengers and the sustainability of their businesses amid shrinking profit margins.
‘We appreciate the government for the measures being implemented to stabilize fuel prices because the situation is affecting many sectors, but we appeal for more support because many passengers can no longer afford the increased fares,’ said Wakulu. He noted that transport operators were spending more on fuel and vehicle maintenance at a time when passenger numbers had dropped due to reduced disposable incomes among residents.
Along the busy Kericho-Bomet route, driver Stephen Rop said transport fares had risen sharply in response to the escalating fuel costs. Rop explained that fares which previously ranged between Sh250 and Sh300 had increased to between Sh400 and Sh500 depending on demand and fuel consumption. He added that operators were now experiencing longer waiting hours at bus stages as fewer passengers travelled regularly due to the higher fares.
‘Despite the challenges, matatu operators have continued offering services without disruption and we remain hopeful that the upcoming interventions will stabilize fuel prices,’ he said. Bodaboda operators have also felt the impact of the rising fuel costs, forcing many riders to review transport charges in order to remain in business.
Speaking on behalf of riders in Kericho, bodaboda chairman Peter Kigen said the increased operational expenses had compelled operators to adjust their charges across various routes within the town and surrounding areas. ‘Rising fuel prices have forced us to adjust transport charges to sustain our daily operations and we are currently charging Sh150 for two passengers travelling from Kericho town to Kenya Highlands due to increased operational costs,’ said Kigen.
At local fuel stations, attendants reported a noticeable decline in fuel sales as motorists cut down on travel and fuel consumption to cope with the high pump prices. A fuel attendant at a Shell station in Kericho, Peter Too, said many motorists were now opting to limit unnecessary movement, resulting in lower fuel demand.
‘Many motorists are reducing movement and fuel consumption due to the high fuel prices and fuel sales have dropped as a result of reduced demand,’ he noted. Too added that some fuel stations were experiencing fewer customers than usual, although operators remained optimistic that ongoing government interventions and future EPRA reviews would help ease the pressure on consumers and stimulate economic activity.
The rising fuel prices continue to affect key sectors, including transport, agriculture and small businesses, with residents now looking forward to the next EPRA pricing review and the government’s planned stabilisation measures for relief from the mounting economic strain.
