Tanzanian petrol stations near Kenyan border hike fuel prices as demand rises

Kenyan motorists and riders who crossed into Tanzania to obtain cheap fuel in Sirari two days after fuel prices skyrocketed have been hit by a rise in fuel prices at petrol stations along the two nations’ border.

Mr. Peter Chacha, the chairman of the Isebania town bodaboda rider, told radio Ramogi that they had cheap fuel from Tanzania for about two days after the prices in Kenya went up, and that now the Tanzanian petrol shops along the border have raised prices due to demand.

Mr.Chacha said that fuel stations in Tanzania used to sell a litre of petrol for Tsh.2300 (about Ksh.109), but that the price has recently risen to Tsh.2800 (roughly Ksh.134).

According to him, the hike in petrol costs near the border is due to increasing demand from Kenyans because fuel is still cheap in Tanzania’s Tarime town, according to the bodaboda riders’ leader.

Meanwhile transport cost has increased in Migori County following the increase in fuel prices in the county.

Bodaboda riders have increased their transport charges by 50 percent citing surge in cost of petrol.

The hiked fuel price in the country has not only affected the transport sector but also other sectors like agriculture.

In an interview with radio Ramogi,Kenya Federation  of Sugarcane Farmers secretary general Mr.Ezra Okoth indicated that they can no longer transport cane to the factory because of high transport costs caused by increased fuel prices.