Tough times for Kenyans

A petrol station attendant at a pump in Nyeri on June 15, 2015. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Kenyans are staring at tough times ahead as fuel prices skyrocket.
• The authorities must seek more ingenious ways of raising funds.

By EDITORIAL
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Kenyans are staring at tough times ahead as fuel prices skyrocket. The Energy Regulatory Commission has just announced the highest price increase in the past three months. A litre of petrol now costs Sh4.39 more, the price of diesel has gone up by Sh3.97, and kerosene users are paying an additional Sh2.54 for the same quantity.

And life is going to get even rougher once Parliament approves another Sh3 per litre price increase sought in the Budget for the coming financial year.

An increase in fuel prices is bound to be felt immediately as transporters and manufacturers of basic goods will seek to pass on the cost to the consumers.

Public transport operators are sure to make commuters pay more. Manufacturers and traders, too, are not in the business of philanthropy and will not absorb the increased cost.

This comes at a time when the economy is in dire straits and bound to be hit even harder are the majority poor. The expected increase in the prices of goods and services and transport costs are going to make the people’s lives much more difficult.

The authorities must seek more ingenious ways of raising funds instead of resorting to the usual taxation targets that stifle economic growth and progress.