NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 – The Motorist Association of Kenya (MAK) has threatened to mobilise its members and other motorists to boycott fuel stations intent on increasing pump prices.
Chairman Peter Murima said on Saturday that they had launched a campaign dubbed ‘Boycott High Prices’ which would also involve the sale of stickers to those in support of the operation and signing of a petition against the increments.
"We are strongly opposed to a fuel price increase and since our call to government and the oil marketers seem not to be heeded, we at MAK have decided to take action," said Murima.
He warned that the members might even be forced to resort to street protests to protect what he termed as ‘their motoring and driving rights’.
"The persistent urge to raise fuel prices will not be entertained and we are ready to go to any lengths to protect our rights," he added.
Murima said fuel should be retailing at Sh65 for petrol and Sh58 for diesel and thus any increases would be unjustified.
"Those who wish to make super profits at our expense should look elsewhere as energy is too dear to us to be left to the free market. Economies world over do not allow it," he further argued.
The chairman was reacting to Friday’s remarks by Kenol Kobil that it would increase its prices by about Sh3 and Sh3.50 at the end of the month to match the international crude oil trends.
Kenol General Manager for Kenya, David Ohana argued that international prices have in the last three weeks shown a steady increase and added that this should be an indication of where local prices are headed.
"This is something that should signal to the public that a price increase will surely come. We will definitely increase our prices," he asserted.
Currently, a litre of unleaded super petrol at the Kenol pump stations is retailing at an average of Sh76.90.
Marketers have in the recent past come under heavy criticism for arbitrarily increasing their prices when the crude oil prices are on an upward trend but they have been reluctant to do the same when the situation reverses.
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