Since the Kenya Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced the increase in gasoline prices from March 15, most Kenyan families say their lives have been affected. Boda Boda taxi operator Rodgers Odhiambo said rising fuel prices had made it difficult for him to balance maintaining his business with supporting his family - and they were considering raising fares.
He further explained that taxi fares are already too high for most customers who are also struggling with the cost of living and despite this, they still have to raise their rates to make ends meet.
Taxi driver Frederick Ochieng said his normal town service charge was Ksh200, and now the price of fuel was Ksh180, meaning he had very little profit margin.
"Fuel is at the heart of what we do, rising prices mean living standards are expensive and we'll be forced to pass the cost on to our customers, and if they can't afford it that means we're closing our shop," said one store owner.
In Kakamega, sawmill and lumber mill owners also said they planned to increase product costs to match the new fuel prices.
According to Ernest Amugade, a carpenter on the outskirts of the town of Kakamega, his decision to increase the price of his product was due to the increased cost of lumber.
"Our suppliers run chainsaws on fuel. Rising fuel prices mean higher sawing costs. At the time a liter of fuel could saw 130 feet of wood, but at current prices, that quantity can only do 80 feet," says Ernest Amugade .
In addition, as the cost of fuel for chainsaws increases, wood processing plants are also urging consumers to prepare for rising furniture prices. Because, that's the only way they can stay in business.
“Increased sawing costs due to rising fuel prices have forced us to increase the price of furniture. In the past, we sold a 4*6 bed frame for Kshs 4,300 and now it retails for Kshs 4,800,” Ernest Amugade said. Supplementary explanation.
In a spot check of various lumber yards in Kakamega, 6*1 lumber was sold for Ksh 28 per inch, while 8*1 lumber was sold for Ksh 48 per inch.
In the process of wood production and processing, a large amount of electricity and fuel are required. As early as last year, the Russia-Ukraine incident triggered a surge in global fuel prices, which led to an increase in wood production costs. Kenya still faces high fuel prices today. It is expected that the price of Kenyan wood or furniture exported to the world will also increase.