[ad_1]
Kenyans expressed their anger on Thursday at soaring fuel prices, which threatens to worsen the misery of a population already facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fuel prices are now at record highs after the country’s energy regulator this week ended subsidies on gasoline, diesel and kerosene that were introduced earlier this year to allay the anger in the face the soaring cost of living.
East Africa’s economic powerhouse suffered huge job losses as gross domestic product declined last year for the first time in three decades, with Covid-19 typically hitting strong sectors like tourism.
The removal of subsidies, which took effect on Wednesday, raised the price of gasoline in Nairobi by about six percent to a high of nearly 135 shillings (about $ 1.20 or € 1.00) the liter.
And the cost is expected to rise further with the introduction of an excise tax of nearly five percent on fuel from October 1.
“The increase in fuel is just ridiculous, it shows the government is unaware of the reality on the ground, how does it want us to survive,” said James Mwangi, 42, a car dealer. used in Nairobi.
“Any increase in fuel prices means an increase in a lot of other things.”
Mercilyne Njeri, 35, who works at a five-star hotel in Nairobi, says she is already trying to survive on 60% of her usual salary.
“The government is unrealistic, you cannot raise fuel prices at a time when we are suffering from tough economic times brought on by the challenges of COVID-19.”
Kenyan Vice President William Ruto, who is in open conflict with President Uhuru Kenyatta, criticized the move, warning that it would lead to an increase in the cost of living across the board.
“This is a mistake in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said, calling on the energy ministry and parliament to look into the problem.
We can’t breathe ‘-
The Kenya Consumers Federation (Cofek) warned of a big blow to the economy – “the high cost of production, soaring prices for food, transport and, overall, a cost of production. higher life ”.
“Foreign direct investment, as well as the purchasing power of consumers, will be pushed south for a struggling economy reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Kenyan consumers pay several taxes on fuel, which account for the bulk of the price charged by pump operators.
Kenya’s GDP fell to 10.75 trillion shillings ($ 98 billion, 83 billion euros) last year and the economy also shed 738,000 jobs, informal workers such as small traders and artisans. bearing the brunt of these losses.
Kenyans still live under restrictions, including a nighttime curfew to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The disease has infected nearly 245,000 people in the country including nearly 4,950 deaths, according to official figures.
“Covid has made our lives so miserable and now rising fuel prices have made it worse,” said Kevin Mwanzia, 27, an electronics technician.
“We just can’t breathe, public transport fares will go up, commodity prices will go up too. How are we supposed to survive? “
Source link
