NAIROBI, Jun 8 - It has become evident that corporate conscious in the interest of the public is lacking is lacking in Kenya. The corporate world and the business community are out to maximize profits without care for the public who are increasing suffering from the tyranny of poverty.

This situation is aggravated by a culture of corruption whose costs are borne by the consumers who have no place to go for redress apart from Kenya Consumer Organisation.

It is for this reason that I call for creation of Price Control Board. This should be seriously and urgently considered as we approach the Budget Day since creation of the Board will have financial implications.

While KCO recognises that it is impossible to generalise comparative pricing for the thousands of different basic commodities, for which the country has acquired a reputation for high prices. It is our conviction that the government is obligated to protect its people from being exploited by unscrupulous business empire that with impunity, is out to maximise their profits while sending many to an early grave.

We also appeal to local manufacturers not to overcharge traders as this is normally passed onto the final consumers, majority who happen to be economically marginalised. As a way of demonstrating social responsibility, we urge them to discourage excessive charging.

What is going on with prices on basic commodities is denying most Kenya good healthy life and today many have developed ailments which can be avoided such as high blood pressure simply because they cannot make ends meet. This is a matter of life and death and we challenge the government that if it does care for its people it should enact a Price Control Bill to protect its people. The bill should seek accessibility to affordable quality commodities for Kenyans.

There have been numerous calls to have control over basic commodities and it is time the government heeded call from the ordinary people.

(The writer is the Executive Director - Kenya Consumer Organisation)