Some unscrupulous individuals hiking transport charges

The post election violence in Kenya has greatly affected the rest of the East African Community. It has caused prices of fuel to fluctuate. Inspite of the shortage, the government has been able to handle the scarcity. However, some unscrupulous transporters and black market fuel dealers from upcountry are reaping much from the current fuel scarcity. Black market dealers in places like Gahini, Karangazi have gained momentum and people are accumulating a lot of income. The dishonest fuel group dealers seized the opportunity of fuel scarcity to their advantage; by increasing taxi fares. They have taken it as an opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of travellers In the course, it has affected many people in different ways including the business community, who have in turn shifted the extra cost incurred on transport to their consumers; in form of increased prices on commodities. Along upcountry roads, travellers spend time standing on the roadside pleading for the reduction of taxi fares, which pleas mostly fall on death ears of the drivers. Residents say they have been forced to minimise movement due to high fares. Using motorcycles is almost impossible because it is even more expensive. The fuel crisis has even caused some students from poor families to postpone the days of reporting to their respective schools hoping that the taxi fares will be reduced. Some were claiming that the hike is due to the festive season, but even after the fuel prices normalized, there are still some drivers that have refused to adjust. The body governing transport companies had better do something because other fuel suppliers will stick to their fares unless the authorities concerned intervene. GATSIBO

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Some unscrupulous individuals hiking transport charges