The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has strongly opposed the hike in fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Sunday.

ODM, whose party leader is Raila Odinga, has cited the current harsh economic times as its reason for opposing the increase in the prices of super petrol, diesel and kerosene.

In a statement after EPRA announced the hiked prices, ODM faulted the regulator intimating that it was the wrong time to do so as the country grapples Covid-19 third phase.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said the price review was shocking, coming soon after the February review that also saw fuel prices shoot up drastically.

“The pandemic has been a tragedy for the already heavily-taxed population. Central to this tragedy has been the cost of energy, which has an impact on every facet of our lives,” Sifuna said.

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Sifuna, however, admitted that the Jubilee government needed money urgently through taxation to finance its operations but faulted the move to overtax fuel consumers.

“We can't see the moral ground on which to levy more taxes on a population itself on its knees from the same. In the African culture, you do not milk a dead cow,” he argued.

ODM now wants the price hike reversed immediately.

“Silence on our part at this time will amount to complicity. We therefore unequivocally state that we are opposed to this increase in the prices of fuel. We demand that this decree is rescinded before it becomes effective,” added Sifuna.

He said ODM will stand with Kenyans in this “difficult time” hoping that “sense will prevail.”

“It is at such times that the human face needs to shine even brighter. Beyond individual citizens, our own manufacturing industry, the base on which we hope to build our recovery after the pandemic, will be hit hard by another increase in the cost of energy.

“This does not make sense on any front. Increasing the price of diesel just as the farming and planting season sets in is nothing but diabolic.”

He accused EPRA of being insensitive to the plight of Kenyans, noting that in other nations, governments offered stimulus packages and rescue plans to individuals and businesses to help them overcome the adverse effects of the pandemic.

Ironically, the monthly price reviews are determined using a formula outlined in a regulatory policy passed by Members of Parliament and which EPRA has no powers to change.

So, is it a case of ODM and its Secretary General playing to the gallery or they will take a step further and push to change regulations in Parliament to protect the pained Kenyans?

On Sunday, EPRA announced the costs of super petrol, diesel and kerosene went up by Sh7.63, Sh5.75 and Sh5.41 per litre, respectively, effective from March 15 to April 14.