Business
Rise in the cost of fuel affects Kenyan fishermen
Consumption of fish especially from Lake Victoria may become more expensive due to the recent increase in fuel prices.
Fishermen in Homa Bay County, who account for a huge portion of fish sourced from Lake Victoria, complained that their businesses have been affected after fuel prices went up.
The fishermen’s boat engines use petrol and they also use petrol or kerosene to light their lamps in the lake at night which means that those who want to travel long distances to fish in the lake must invest more in fuel in order for them to do so.
The Beach Management Unit chairman in charge of Suba Sub-county, William Onditi said the amount of money spent on fuel was not proportionate to the profit they got from the fish caught.
“Due to the shortage of fish in the lake, we are forced to travel long distances within the lake. We are thinking of increasing fish prices to cut down on loss especially if the government fails to reduce fuel prices,” William said.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced on March 14th new rates for buying petroleum products where a liter of super petrol, diesel, and kerosene was raised by 7.63shillings, 5.75shillings, and 5.41shillings respectively, for a month, effective March 15.
By Fatima Shabir
