By Moses Adongo
Pressure continue to mount on National Treasury CS Henry Rotich to rescind his decision to impose the 16% VAT on petroleum product. Irked by the blatant disregard of parliament’s move to suspend the taxation which came into effect from Saturday morning, different leaders have joined Kenyans in rebuking the changes in fuel prices.
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior over the weekend challenged the National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to call a special sitting of the house to discuss the defiance by Rotich. The National Assembly had adjourned on Thursday last week for one-month recess.
Yet still, a section of ODM MPs has threatened to lead Kenyans into the streets until the new prices are revised. The three opposition leaders, Mark Nyamita, Anthony Oluoch and Caleb Amisi had given CS Rotich 72 hours to forfeit the taxation. “When you tax fuel, you are directly hurting the majority who live below the poverty line,” said Nyamita.
In what could however give Kenyans hopes on dodging the new prices, opposition leader Raila Odinga has assured the country that President Uhuru Kenyatta will sign the Finance Bill, 2018 suspending the new taxations.
“The issue of increasing fuel prices cannot continue, it has to stop,” said Odinga.
The former Prime Minister was speaking in Kisumu yesterday evening where he was flanked by Siaya Senator and Senate minority leader James Orengo.
The President had on Friday evening left the country for China without commenting on the new fuel changes nor giving an indication on when he will assent to the Finance Bill, 2018.
The Energy Regulatory Commission released new fuel prices on Saturday in line with the treasury’s move to bypass parliament’s suspension. This came even as the Kenya Revenue Authority advised importers, distributors and depots to take note of the price changes as they prepare to submit returns by 20th of the following month.
In the new prices, petrol will cost Sh127.80 per liter in Nairobi while a liter of diesel and kerosene will now retail at Sh115 and Sh97 respectively.
