Residents of Kisii have raised concern over the increased prices of charcoal saying the traders are exploiting them.
Charcoal business has been booming in the region following the onset of rains accompanied by the cold season.
Cross-check revealed charcoal prices have increased by approximately Sh300-500 per sack.
“I used to buy a sack of charcoal for Sh900-1000 but now it Sh1300-1500 which is very unfortunate," said Grace Oloo, a resident.
"They know that we need the charcoal most at this time since we are going into the cold season,” added Oloo.
The customers are now calling upon the traders to lower their prices and stop exploiting them.
“One does not have to take advantage of the situation when demand is high. This is wrong and is an exploitation of customers,” said Ogenya.
The traders however denied the claims saying charcoal does poorly during the rainy season and they also have to balance the outcome of selling with the input they inject to make the charcoal.
“Charcoal does poorly doing cold rainy seasons which leaves a number of them destroyed which makes us increase the prices,” said Mzee Kabila Monach, a charcoal vendor.