News that a high court in Bungoma suspended the fuel tax has evoked different reactions from Kenyans with most of them thanking the court for coming to their rescue.
Kenyans got a reprieve on Thursday after the High Court granted temporary orders stopping the controversial 16% VAT.
The petitioners represented by lawyer Ken Amondi argued that Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich flouted core constitutional principles and values by effecting the fuel tax on September 1
Justice Stephen Riechi has ordered that the matter be mentioned on September 9, in Kisumu.
The petitioners under Sumawe Youth Group argued that the matter was an issue of public interest. They said it was wrong for the CS to hide under the guise of waiting for the Presidential assent on a matter that Parliament had deliberated. On August 29, MPs voted to shelve the fuel tax until September 1, 2020.
“The people speak through their representatives who are members of Parliament and the act of the CS is against constitutional principles,” argued lawyer Amondi.
This is what Kenyans are saying on Twitter.
Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time Bungoma is trending for a reason not related to ugali, posho mill or eating ingokho, Bungoma high Court just suspended the 16% VAT!#FuelShortage
— INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE (@allen_arnold) September 6, 2018
Can somebody explain. What does it mean the High Court in Bungoma has temporary suspended the implementation of the new 16 per cent VAT on fuel after a group of youth in Bungoma sued Treasury CS Henry Rotich for effecting the new fuel levy?
— Joachim Omolo (@omolobeste) September 6, 2018
Nairobi youth Mko! Bungoma youth beat you to the game? #FuelShortage #Fuelpricehike #fuelcrisis https://t.co/ykyQT9ymiU
— Syombua A. Kibue (@Syombuak) September 6, 2018
Most posho mills in Bungoma county uses fuel ..so that’s why the youths moved to the Bungoma high Court to stop the 16% VAT on fuel?
— Ombeva joseph(OJ) (@Josephombeva1) September 6, 2018
On a serious note though, Bungoma high court has done justice to Kenyans. Some slaying judges in Nairobi would have declined to issue barring orders to the implementation of this bill. Now you know. Devolution is the only saviour. Thanks Bungoma. Somebody to name the Hon judge.
— Elijah Okemwa (@elijah1334) September 6, 2018
Finally Bungoma county produces something great after giving us Kenneth lusaka…. Bungoma Highcourt thank you for stopping the immoral & disgusting 16% VAT TAX from taking effect! #FuelShortage
— HOPEFUL KENYAN (@FranklinChes1) September 6, 2018