Business people dealing in charcoal in Meru town are lamenting over soaring prices of the commodity.
Joshua Kimathi, a charcoal trader at Gakoromone market in Meru town says in December last year, a sack of charcoal was being sold at Sh1,700 but currently, the same is retailing at Sh2,200.
The increase of charcoal prices has affected many businesses including the hotel business, which depends on charcoal for its operations.
Zubeida Wanja, a local hotel owner in Makutano town, explains that the new charcoal prices have forced her to alter food prices in an attempt to balance off expenditure.
“With the new charcoal prices, I spend a lot on buying charcoal and I am left with very little money for other expenses,” Zubeida says.
Households have also not been left out of those affected by the new high charcoal prices.
Ann Kananu, a mother of three, explains that the new high prices have left her with no choice but to reduce her meals to two meals a day, to cut down on spending, especially during these tough economic times.
Kimathi explains that he buys charcoal from the neighbouring Tharaka Nithi and that his latest stock came with new high prices.
He added that despite the price increase, small quantity retailers were still selling a bucket of charcoal at Sh350, which was the price at the end of last year.
Rebecca Ntinyari, a local charcoal retailer in Makutano town says that she buys a sack of charcoal at Sh2,200 plus other transport charges, and when retailing the charcoal in small quantities, she is left with little or no profit to enjoy.
Ntinyari added that her business is not doing well and that January was better off businesswise than February.
