Senators yesterday protested the increase in fuel prices and demanded that the government moves in to address the rising cost of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.

They argued that Kenya’s economy is diesel-driven and this means that manufacturers, farmers, and service providers, will pass the increased fuel cost to consumers, which will further hit households and businesses.

Cost of living

“This is the highest Kenyans have ever had to pay for fuel and the consequences will be dire. It will be the skyrocketing cost of living,” Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina said.

He added:  “It is however disheartening to see the Ministry of Energy doing nothing significant to address the crises.”

He accused Petroleum Principal Secretary Andrew Kamau of trying to remove the 30 per cent allocation set aside for National Oil Corporation to import Petroleum into the country.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei reckoned that if the fuel price hike is not addressed, the cost of living will escalate and that of doing business will also skyrocket.

Marsabit Senator Godana Hargura asked the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA),  not to jump to increase the prices and use the Petroleum Development Levy to cushion Kenyans instead of invoking price increment wherever there is  increase in landing prices.

Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri described the fuel price hike as pathetic and sad, coming at a time Kenyans are very distressed about the cost of living.

 The move comes after EPRA on Tuesday increased pump prices by Sh9 per litre pushing the cost of super and diesel to Sh159.12 and Sh140, respectively in Nairobi — the highest in Kenya’s history.