Kiambu locals have raised concern over the high prices of charcoal, claiming the vendors are exploiting them with prices almost double the normal prices.
“Charcoal prices have tremendously increased, something we didn’t expect at the rate at which it increases,” says Janet Wamboi, a resident.
“It is much cheaper to buy a sack of charcoal for it now goes for Sh1,300, which is better off than those sold at a smaller scale for it is more expensive,” added another resident.
“Some of us who can’t afford to buy gas cylinders suffer the most. We are forced to buy the charcoal at very expensive prices,” says Christine Kioli.
The traders however attributed the increase in prices to the rains currently going on.
“We have to meet the cost of transport which is very expensive. Charcoal prices also during the rains are expensive since it hard to source them as those who process them incur losses as a result of the rains,” says Dickson Mbugua.
A sack of charcoal used to go for Sh800, but it now ranges between Sh1300-Sh1500 while a tin goes for Sh50 contrary to the previous Sh30.