The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to address the historic-high fuel prices released on September 14.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 16, posted on Twitter, Atwoli called out the first in command to explain why the government is hellbent on increasing the pain and suffering of Kenyan workers with an increase in fuel prices.
“We would like his excellency the President to come out and make a statement on this unfair perpetual increase in fuel prices,” Atwoli said.
He further said that the increase comes at a time when many workers are suffering from heavy taxation and slashed salaries due to the COVID-19 merchandise.
“The President should, himself, explain to Kenyans why the government is hell-bent on increasing the pain and suffering of Kenyan workers and Kenyans in general amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” Atwoli added.
The COTU said the government should prepare for unrest from all quarters should the Head of State fail to address the issue on time.
“Unless their policies place Kenyan workers at the centre then they should prepare for unrest from all quarters,” he said.
Atwoli, while opposing the perpetual increase in fuel prices urged the government to be innovative with how it raises taxes.
In its latest maximum pump price review, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) raised the prices of super petrol by Ksh.7.58 per litre, while the cost of diesel and kerosene shot up by Ksh.7.94 and Ksh.12.97 per litre respectively.
This means that a litre of petrol in Nairobi will now cost KSh.134.72 rising from KSh.127.14, while diesel will retail as KSh115.60 from KSh107.66 whereas kerosene will cost KSh110.82 from KSh.97.85.
