Business

Fuel shortage drives up fish, maize flour prices in Siaya

Friday, August 19th, 2022 02:45 | By
Fuel shortage drives up fish, maize flour prices in Siaya
Fuel shortage drives up fish, maize flour prices in Siaya

Prices of goods and services in Siaya have increased following an acute shortage of fuel that has hit the region for the past two weeks.

Prices of fish, maize flour, boda-boda and taxi transportation services have shot up, forcing the public to dig deeper into their pockets. Several motorbikes, government vehicles and ploughing tractors have remained packed due to a shortage of fuel.

George Otuoma of Lwanda Kotieno Beach Management unit said they have resolved to double the price for fish so as to stabilise the fishing activity in Bondo and Rarieda sub-counties.

“Siaya has over 70 beaches that supply the country with fish and as Beach Mangers, we have resolved to double fish prices to enable us to benefit from the catch or else we could go at a loss,” said Otuoma.

Otuoma added that the situation may even get worse if the fuel shortage continues. Engine-powered boats depend on petrol and many fishermen are unable to continue with their trade.

Shortage persist

The fishing industry employs over 10,000 people directly as fishermen and they all depend on such boats.

“If the shortage persists, we may seek for the commodity in Kisumu, Mbita or Homa Bay as we have to operate the boats and that would, in turn, lead to a negative impact on the price of fish,” he added.

Anna Anyango who owns a posho mill at Bondo junction said that the cost of milling has increased, adding that every 2Kg of maize, now costs between Sh15 and 20.

“Most of the posho mills around here are driven by diesel fuel and its shortage has seen most closed and the operating ones would mill 2 Kg tin of maize at Sh 20,” she said, adding in case of power outages, public flocks their mills. Benard Ochieng, who cleans vehicles said they now clean a vehicle between Sh150 and Sh200 from the previous Sh100.

A spot check by Business Hub established that government vehicles and tractors have also been packed in the yards due to fuel problems.

Scarcity of fuel started being experienced in Siaya town and its environs on Monday.

More on Business


ADVERTISEMENT

RECOMMENDED STORIES Business



Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /home/mediamax/httpdocs/pd.co.ke/wp-content/themes/PD/single-post.php on line 690

Notice: Trying to get property 'name' of non-object in /home/mediamax/httpdocs/pd.co.ke/wp-content/themes/PD/single-post.php on line 690
ADVERTISEMENT