Charcoal vendors in Kisumu are making huge profits following the onset of the rains in the region.
The price of charcoal has gone up by almost Kshs. 50 for every debe of charcoal.
“Charcoal business is at its peak now; I make a profit of at least Kshs. 800 contrary to the Kshs. 200 or Kshs. 300 that I made during the dry season,” said Joshua Mwanza, a charcoal vendor.
Residents of Maseno are however not happy saying that the vendors have unreasonably hiked the charcoal prices.
“These vendors are exploiting us because they know we have no other option but to buy them. I don’t see how charcoal prices are related to the rains,” lamented Joyce Awino who runs a hotel.
The vendors however claim that the rains interfere with the production of charcoal as most of it is spoils hence the hike in the prices.