Marsabit residents say they miss Raila as fuel prices bite, call for opposition unity

By Nyabande Orwa

MARSABIT, Oct 15 – A year after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, residents of Marsabit County say they feel left without a voice to defend ordinary citizens, as rising fuel prices squeeze their livelihoods.

“Raila would have defended us, but since he is no longer here, nobody is speaking up while we suffer,” said John Mwenda, who transports goods and operates a tuk-tuk.

Speaking to Radio Jangwani, residents said the government is making decisions that burden citizens because there is no strong opposition voice to speak for them. They have called on opposition parties to unite ahead of the next General Election to offer Kenyans an alternative leadership.

Fuel price hike hits transporters

Public service vehicle and boda boda operators in the county have protested the government’s decision to raise fuel prices, saying they are now running at a loss because customers are refusing to pay higher fares. They added that it is not yet possible to determine what the new fares should be.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which regulates fuel prices in the country, has set new pump prices that will run from October 15 to November 14. In Marsabit town, a litre of petrol will retail at Sh238.34, diesel at Sh240.07 and kerosene at Sh233.08. In Moyale, petrol will sell at Sh237.87 per litre, diesel at Sh245.80 and kerosene at Sh235.81.

“We are asking the government to look at the issue of fuel prices for the benefit of citizens,” said Hussein Abdub, a boda boda operator in Marsabit town.

The operators also fear food prices could rise as transporters pass on the extra fuel costs, which would add to the burden on households. However, at some matatu stages in Marsabit town, fares have not yet been increased.