Parliament is expected to discuss the 8% VAT proposal in a special sitting on Tuesday this week. The discussion has put MPs in a dilemma on whether to stand with Kenyans and push no tax on petroleum products or back the President’s position. Some claim that the proposal will not offer a permanent solution but instead it appears as a postponed problem.
In recent twitter polls, Kenyans seem to be against the 8% VAT proposal. Have a look.
Do you support President @UKenyatta‘s proposal on the reduction of VAT on fuel to 8%. (Price of petrol to drop to Ksh. 118, Diesel Price to Ksh. 107) @CapitalFMKenya #StateOfTheNation
— Capital in the Morning (@984inthemorning) September 14, 2018
#StateOfTheNation Do you support President Uhuru Kenyatta proposal on the reduction of VAT on fuel to 8%. (Price of petrol to drop to Ksh. 118, Diesel Price to Ksh. 107)
— Kelvin Mutwiwa (@kelvino_mutwiwa) September 14, 2018
A section of MPs have rubbished Kenyatta’s proposal to half the Fuel VAT to 8% and are in support of no VAT. According to the law, in order for the proposal to be rejected, 233 MPs have to vote against it, this will have more weight and its rejection will mean that the proposal will be overruled hopefully until 2020. In an instance where less than 233 MPs vote against it,then the proposal will be upheld.
Having the majority of MPs in the House representing the Jubilee party, the public will have to wait and see which side this numerical strength will take.