Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
The Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU, is now threatening to call for an increase in wages to cushion consumers.
This comes after the latest increase in fuel prices by the Energy Regulatory Commission for the fifth month in a row.
On Sunday, the ERC in its monthly fuel review increased the price of a litre of petrol by 2.13 shillings diesel by 2.39 shillings and kerosene by 3.36 shillings occasioned by an increase in importation of the commodity in December, which was not offset by a stronger shilling.
The regulator attributed the latest increase in fuel prices to the higher cost of importation with global oil prices now at their highest level since 2014.
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli wants the government to intervene to contain inflationary pressures as a result of higher cost of fuel.
According to Atwoli, the government has the capacity to intervene and take remedial actions to keep the cost of fuel within the reach of Kenyans even when prices shoot.
In a statement, Atwoli said stability in petroleum prices is essential for economic growth since an increase in its cost among others directly affecting the transport sector and electricity prices as well.