The state house spokes person Manoah Esipisu last week urged manufacturers to reduce the prices of commodities to lower the cost of living in the country.
This is a good move by the government to ensure that Kenyans are not subjected to exploitation by manufacturers and one that will stimulate economic growth.
The high cost of production due to frequent increase of oil price and hiking of electricity rates are challenges that manufactures are facing.
Commenting on Manoah’s statement, Jeremiah Wafula, a business man in Bungoma town said that unless the government addresses the issue of high electricity cost, we will continue to experience high cost of living.
“We welcome the move by government to lower prices commodities, but unless they address issue of oil price and electricity we will shun away investors,” noted Wafula.
He further said that Kenyans are subjected to exploitation by middle men and suppliers of commodities due to lack of proper laid out legal frame work to prosecute those found exaggerating prices of commodities.
“Kenya is a liberal market where the prices of commodities are not determined by the government and that is why you can find the price of a certain product differs within the same locality,” said Wafula.
On the other hand, Waweru a taxi driver in Bungoma town said that the price of oil is very vital.
“I don’t have trust with the statement issued by Mannoah Esipisu.Unless the price of oil is reduced, Kenyans will still dig dip into their pocket to earn living. High prices affect the cost of transporting and manufacturing commodities,” said Waweru.
