The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Kenya has opposed new fuel prices recently announced by the Energy and Petroleum regulatory Authority (EPRA).

In a statement on Thursday, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli condemned the government for allowing the increase and demanded an explanation from President Uhuru Kenyatta.

According to Atwoli, Kenyans are already burdened by the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, therefore, it is unfair to add more expenses to them at this time.

“…We would like to remind Uhuru that Kenyan workers are suffering and that he should not tolerate the impunity, punishment and the affront towards Kenyan workers by bodies such as EPRA.

“The President should himself explain to Kenyans why the government is hellbent on increasing the pain and suffering of Kenyan workers and Kenyans in general amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” the statement read in part.

Atwoli accused the government of sidelining worker’s interests, adding that if the same trend continues, then the government should “prepare for unrest from all quarters”.

The statement comes amid protest from Kenyans over the increase of fuel prices to an all-time high by EPRA.

In a statement on Tuesday, EPRA released new pump prices where the price of Super petrol has been increased by Ksh7.58 per litre.

On the other hand, the cost of diesel and kerosene has also been increased by Ksh.7.94 and Ksh.12.97 per litre respectively.

In Nairobi, a litre of super petrol is set to cost Ksh.134.72 an increase from Ksh.127.14. Diesel will retail at Ksh.115.60 from Ksh.107.66 while kerosene will for Ksh.110.82 from Ksh.97.85.

Explaining the rationale behind the increased pump prices, EPRA noted that the upward review was as a result of higher costs for landed petroleum products.

By Fred Azelwa.