Explain fuel price rise, Kibaki and Raila told

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have been asked to explain the recent rise in fuel prices.

The two principals risk being viewed as co-conspirators in oil industry cartels if they do not declare their position, Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli said on Wednesday.

“Kenyans are staring at hard economic times ahead and with the current low wages amid heavy taxation among the working population, life is becoming increasingly unbearable,” Mr Atwoli said in a statement sent to the media.

Mr Atwoli also questioned the viability of the Energy Regulatory Commission, while accusing it of relentlessly increasing pump prices. He claimed that the commission had been serving the interests of oil cartels since its inception.

“The ERC has with impunity continued to review fuel prices upwards under the pretext of price capping despite the prices of crude oil falling on the international market,” he said.

Following Monday’s announcement by ERC, motorists are now paying Sh2.63 more per litre of super petrol.

The price of kerosene went up by 72 cents per litre while the diesel price was reduced by 36 cents per litre.

ERC director-general Kaburu Mwirichia attributed the rise to the depreciation of the shilling and increasing cost of imports.

In his statement, Mr Mwirichia hinted that prices might reduce during next month’s review.