Motorists' association wants govt to enforce fuel price control measures

The national association of motorists is appealing to the government to enforce fuel control measures to prevent random increases in pump prices.

The association says such increases will affect the citizens through higher transport charges, compounding further to the hunger crisis and record high food prices.

In a statement sent to the newsroom titled: “No, not again, relapse to any fuel raise will aggravate recession,” they have asked the government to crack down on heavy-handed oil marketers said to be taking advantage of the current political situation to increase fuel prices.

“We wish to appeal to the government to intervene swiftly to save the country from any upward pump adjustment,” said Mr Peter Murima, chairman of the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK).

“We want to see the implementation of the long promised fuel controls effected practically now,” he added.

MAK asked Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi to act fast to prevent a recurrent of the 2008 which saw undue punishment of motorists through long queues thanks to an artificial shortage of the precious commodity.

There was high prices resulting in high bus fares and destabilised food prices.

This appeal comes at a time when some oil dealers have increased their pump prices in what they termed as a move to reflect international markets.
Kenol-Kobil has already warned its customers to expect further increases in pump prices soon.

“Since the beginning of the year, the prices of crude oil and refined products in the international market have defied the downward trend that had characterised the second half of 2008,” they said in a statement sent to the news desk last week.

“This is mainly due to the decision to cut down on production by oil producing countries.”

But Mr Murima differed with the oil-marketer: “Raising pump prices by any margin is ironic as global fuel prices have remained constantly low. The same is not sufficiently being enjoyed by end consumer.”

Already, Kenol-Kobil alongside Total and Oilibya had effected the Sh2 price increase of unleaded premium petrol and low-sulphur diesel last week.

In some of the stations visited by the Nation, unleaded petrol sold at Sh76.90 and diesel at Sh71.90 per litre compared to Sh74.90 and Sh69.90 respectively two weeks ago.

Other players among them National Oil and Shell Kenya are yet to effect the changes if at all it is was industry view to do that.

According to Kenol, the long standing weak exchange rate position of the domestic currency had also played a role in the price change.

“The shilling has held very weakly against the dollar and is currently pegged at over Sh80 to the US Dollar. This means that gains realised when international prices came lower have been swallowed to a certain extend,” said Mr Isaac Gachuriah, the assistant general manager of Kenol.

But MAK turned the heat on the government for not enforcing the measure pledged last year to control fuel prices.

“We are very tired of rhetoric promises,” said Mr Murima, “any raise means a return to high bus fares escalate food prices, inflation, all against national interests.”

All these, they say was because of “aloofness and lack of resolute direction from the relevant Ministry”

“We call for boycott of highest outlets and companies organising such increases,” he adds, noting that lubricants prices are also ridiculously high.