Scores of Murang’a residents have attributed the high cost of living to the unprecedented increase in fuel prices.
The residents have stated that the record prices have unleashed inflationary pressure on the cost of living as transporters and service/produce providers have passed the increased cost to consumers.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority(Epra) last week increased fuel prices by Sh9 per litre, in Nairobi and its environs pushing cost of super and diesel to sh159.12 and Sh 140 respectively the highest in Kenya’s history.
In Murang’a county the pump prices of super petrol and diesel retail at Sh159 and Sh140 per litre respectively as per the recent fuel price review by Epra.
Brian Kamau a resident of Murang’a told KNA that he commutes daily from Murang’a to Thika for work and as a result of increase in fuel prices the cost of fare to and from work has increased by Sh. 100.
“At the beginning of the year the fare from Murang’a to Thika was Sh.100 but since fuel price keep increasing, fare has gone up to Sh 150,” he said adding that fare sometimes goes even higher especially in the morning and in the evening when the demand for transport is high.
A section of dealers in Murang’a town on Thursday divulged that due to increment of fuel prices, their business has undergone a slump as customers shy off from buying their goods.
The cost of kerosene also went high by a similar margin and will now retail at Sh 127 in Nairobi and its environs the highest since Kenya started setting pump prices.
Gerald Kimani, a matatu driver and owner in Murang’a town averred that high fuel prices are forcing them to hike fare.
“I will have to work extra hard to make profits since the number of customers has reduced significantly,” added Kimani.
The residents want the government to intervene and stabilize fuel prices in the county before the cost of living becomes unbearable.
Murang’a residents decry high cost of living as fuel prices soar
