Editor's Review

  • In the new pump prices, a litre of petrol will cost Sh122.81 in Nairobi, diesel Sh107.66 and kerosene Sh97.85.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has been accused of hypocrisy over its decision to oppose the new fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

In a statement on Sunday, EPRA announced that effective Monday, March 15, 2021, petrol prices would increase by Sh7.63, diesel by Sh5.75, and kerosene by Sh5.41.

In the new pump prices, a litre of petrol will cost Sh122.81 in Nairobi, diesel Sh107.66 and kerosene Sh97.85.

Reacting to APRA’s announcement, ODM issued a statement opposing the price increment arguing that Kenyans are still struggling with the effects of Covid-19 and as such, it is not the best time to make such changes.

“In the African culture, you do not milk a dead cow... Silence on our part at this time will amount to complicity. We therefore unequivocally state that we are opposed to this increase in the prices of fuel. We demand that this decree is rescinded before it becomes effective.

“This does not make sense on any front. Increasing the price of diesel just as the farming and planting season sets in is nothing but diabolic,” ODM said in a statement.

Reacting to the statement, a section of netizens have accused the party of hypocrisy, arguing that its MPs were among those that passed amendments to the Energy Act that allowed for increased taxation of fuel.

Here are some reactions: