The rise in fuel prices is caused by two main factors, namely, monopoly in the production of oil and taxation in the fuel industry.
Globally, most oil fields are owned by Western multinational companies, under the umbrella of a syndicate body OPEC.
They also use the OPEC cartel to dictate all aspects of the oil business.
Monopolisation of this important economic commodity puts third-world countries at mercy of some of these companies in terms of oil production, supply and price.
With regard to taxation, this is apparent as the government puts massive taxes and levies on oil products.
Notably, in the capitalist economy, the taxation of fuel is an easy target for any regime in revenue collection.
For example in our case, Kenya collects Sh57 per litter of petroleum, Sh 45.47 of diesel, and Sh39.5 of kerosene.
The hike is another government attempt to salvage the already ailing economy with a debt amounting to Sh9 trillion.
We need to have an independent economic system that is not pegged to the whims and desires of the cartels and imperialists.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
Writer and Media Rep Hizb ut-Tahrir Kenya