Tanzania, Dec. 25 -- Arusha. The Christmas carols rent the air at the prayer houses as millions mark the birth of Jesus Christ today.

All manner of festivities, too, are plenty from the entertainment centres to the household levels.

But, beneath the jovial Christmas celebrations are hiked prices of essential food and other items.

This year's Christmas and New Year holidays are equally not rosy for the cargo and passenger transporters.

"The price of diesel has more than doubled compared to last year," lamented Dickson Salewa, an Arusha-based lorry driver.

The fuel was costing Sh1,600 per litre in December last year compared to Sh3,306 now in Arusha petrol stations.

"We spend so much more on fuel than what we earn from what we are con...