Nyahururu residents are still coming to terms with the increase in fuel prices as announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on September 14.
The new prices as announced have seen the price of super petrol rise by Sh20 while diesel increased by Sh25.
Rubis Petrol Station in Nyahururu town now retails Super petrol at Sh178.84 up from Sh158.84 last month while Diesel now retails at Sh165.04 up from Sh140.04 last month.
Speaking to KNA, the Operations Manager of 4.N.T.E transport Sacco, James Maina in Nyahururu town lamented over the new fuel prices saying that it now costs more to purchase fuel which means that the Sacco is recording less profit.
“Apart from the students who have closed school for their holidays, the number of passengers have gone down. We have had to increase the fare by Sh50 and Sh100 so that we do not incur losses but this is too much for most school children who were in school and were unaware of the increase in fare,” said Maina.
He further said that an increase in the cost of fuel means an increase in every aspect of life for example agriculture, which is the backbone of Nyandarua and Laikipia Counties, will be expensive to transport farm produce from the farms to the market.
A driver of the same Sacco identified as Mwangi, lamented that the increase in fuel prices has led to an increased cost of living as the prices of basic commodities like maize flour and sugar have increased.
According to Mwangi, President Ruto will build a great legacy if he lowers the cost of living as he promised during his inauguration.
“Kenya should not suffer such high fuel prices because we now produce fuel in Turkana. The President and his deputy will build a great legacy if they reduce the cost of living and he should start by reducing the cost of fuel,” Mwangi said.
All eyes are now on the government with wananchi awaiting lower fuel prices through the return of subsidies imposed on petroleum products.
Source: Kenya News Agency