Motorists Association calls for fuel boycott over price rise

The Motorists’ Association of Kenya has called on its members to boycott the increased fuel prices by participating in a strike.

The move comes after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) released new fuel prices that reflect the 16percent Value Added Tax as ordered by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich.

In a statement to newsrooms on Sunday, the association registered their anger at the fuel price hike saying it was done in disregard to Parliament Law and a petition they had presented to CS Rotich as well as the National Assembly.

“We, therefore, wish to call upon motorists to again express their anger tomorrow Monday 3^rd and Tuesday 4^th and if possible Wednesday by boycotting fuel and participating in a strike of not going to work in the morning as much as possible,” reads the statement signed by Chairperson Peter Murima.

“All Wednesday mornings henceforth will be boycott day until a time when we shall get fair fuel prices in Kenya.”

The association further noted a perceived miscalculation in the energy regulator’s new figures which they say is “aimed at robbing us a further Ksh.3.10 translating to a whopping Ksh.450 million daily.”

“The correct calculation should be based on landed cost 57.82 + distribution cost 3.9 + merchants margin 10.89 = 72.61. 72.61*16% = 11.62,” adds the statement.

“How did ERC get 14.71 for VAT? This is pure criminal fixing of prices.”

According to a statement from ERC released on Saturday, Nairobi motorists will now pay Ksh.127.80 while those in Mombasa will pay Ksh.124.49.

Mandera motorists will pay the highest for super petrol at Ksh.141.61 followed by Wajir (136.06), Liboi (135.24), Marsabit (134.71), Garissa and Maua (132.37), Isiolo (131.03), Meru (130.49), Mtito Andei (130.45) and Nkubu (130.21).

Super petrol prices for other towns are as follows:

• Nakuru Ksh.128.46
• Eldoret Ksh.129.64
• Kisumu Ksh.129.71
• Thika 127.94
• Nyeri 129.36
• Machakos 127.94
• Narok 129.26
• Voi 126.09
• Namanga 129.46