Members of parliament became chaotic when the proposal for increase of the VAT tax on fuel was read to them. The members were heard chanting zero, in opposition of the President’s memorandum.
Was it the Ayes or the Nays who had it? Be the judge #TaxVoteKe pic.twitter.com/Jkichy3b2g
— KTN News (@KTNNews) September 20, 2018
The proposal was presented to the House by President Uhuru Kenyatta in the wake of protests against the 16 per cent tax charge on fuel. The MPs began shouting after Minority leader John Mbadi said he supported the proposal by the president in his reservations to the Finance Bill, 2018.
“When you go down, you will find that excise tax has been removed…you now see why these MPs come here and they don’t know what they pass,” he said.
MPs chant ‘Muturi must go’ in Parliament as they oppose President Kenyatta’s tax proposals. https://t.co/c0VHAMXuTf pic.twitter.com/MoCDWtBPXq
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) September 20, 2018
But as he continued talking, the House erupted in screams of Zero! Zero!, temporarily disrupting the business.
Assembly orderlies closed the door to prevent members from causing a quorum hitch. The session was presided over by Narok woman representative Soipan Tuya.
She insisted that there was nothing out of order and requested the members of parliament.
She declared that the Ayes have even after those opposing shouted the loudest. Some of the members walked out leaving 215 members yet 233 were required to ensure a vote.