Broke motorists wail over high fuel cost

HIGH FUEL COSTS 

DECEMBER 31,2009

BY EUGENE OMILO 

Motorists in Mombasa have complained on rising prices of fuel as dealers take advantage of the festive season to make maximum profits.

The price of unleaded premium in some service stations has risen to a high of 83.80 per litre while a liter of diesel goes for as much as 73.40.

Some dealers who spoke to yours truly yesterday said the increase in the prices was because of the high prices of crude oil and other market factors like the value of the dollar against the Kenya shilling.

Peter Njuguna who is the station manager at Kobil petrol station in Mombasa says the prices are expected to continue going down as we usher in the New Year.

“Our prices are based on demand and this being the peak of the holiday season, the demand is at its highest ebb,” said Njuguna.

He said this year has not been bad as last year because the dollar has been stable. The highest price for their unleaded premium was sh84.8 in November.

Most stations sold unleaded premium at between sh79.90 and sh83.80 while diesel was sold at between sh68.90 and sh73.40.

 Simon Rapando who is a supervisor at Bahati petrol station in Bamburi says  the prices have been fair this year as the prices ranged between sh 106 and sh 107 per litre of petrol last during the same period last year.

“If the crude oil prices rise, then we automatically have to raise our prices as we have to make profit,” said Rapando who denied reports that the dealers were taking advantage of the rise in demand to fleece motorists. 

ENDS.