Atwoli: Protect Kenyans from rising fuel prices

Written By:Carol Gakii/Margaret Kalekye,    Posted: Sun, Mar 27, 2011

The Central Organization of Trade Unions -COTU is calling on political leaders to stop engaging in 2012 politics and instead address issues affecting Kenyans such as escalating fuel prices.

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli says the cost of living is increasing every day but the political class seems to be too pre-occupied with politics to care.

Addressing journalists at the COTU headquarters, Atwoli challenged the government to reduce fuel prices which shot up last week to cushion Kenyans from further food price increases.

Several organizations have also called for urgent interventions to curb skyrocketing fuel prices that have pushed the prices of essential goods and services through the roof.

High kerosene prices have hit the poor particularly hard, being the cooking fuel of choice among low-income earners.

Both Government and private sector players continue to trade accusations as to who is to blame for the rising fuel prices.

On Thursday, Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi said a price control attempt by Government had failed to deliver desired results and other options needed to be explored.

Some stakeholders are now proposing extreme measures to stabilise prices in the short term, including expanding state capacity in importation, refinery and distribution of products.