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Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka (pictured) wants the government to regulate prices of maize flour, fuel and nine other commodities that he says should be classified as essential.

The legislator has drafted a Bill that seeks to empower the Treasury Cabinet Secretary to fix maximum prices of the essential commodities from time to time through gazette notices.

He lists the items as maize, maize flour, paraffin, diesel, petrol, wheat, wheat flour, rice, cooking oil, cooking fat, and sugar. He said yesterday that the move was meant to cushion Kenyans from exploitation.

“Kenyans have been suffering a lot in the hands of some greedy cartels who fix prices of essential commodities at will. Some even collude to create artificial shortages so as to hike their prices,” said Aseka.

“That is why I decided to sponsor this Bill which is currently before the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly,” he added.

Wholesale prices

“Section 3 of the Bill seeks to establish a legal framework to require the Treasury Cabinet Secretary to fix the maximum retail and wholesale prices for the essential commodities,” the lawmaker said.

He said the piece of legislation was currently before the Budget and Appropriations Committee for consideration before being tabled on the floor of the House.