Over the past few days, fuel has become the most precious commodity in Kenya. This follows an increase in fuel task, by the Government, leading to higher costs for everyone involved in the business, which is basically all Kenyans.
The decision has sparked protests from various quarters with calls to President Uhuru Kenyatta to assent to the Finance Bill, 2018 which suspends the levies. The tax was factored in the Finance Act, 2013, before the same was stayed for another 3 years and later in 2016 for another 2 years which elapsed last month.
Top Entrepreneurs are also feeling the pinch..
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist
Then they for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.’ #FuelShortage— Capt. Ronald Karauri (@KarauriR) September 5, 2018
Pleas(Or not) to the head of state..
In a nutshell: why there is #FuelShortage
Fuel companies cannot stock/buy fuel at a higher cost(+16% VAT) and then @UKenyatta comes back and assents to the bill postponing the 16% vat.
This means fuel companies will make huge losses. This is a risk that cannot be entertained!— The Architect (@FiMwangi) September 5, 2018
Well…
Chinese President speaks on fuel price increase.
'Shai choi ting yang teng wemg feng kenya, deng fung choo kenya kong cho fung choo.
Feng chang king king cho fungi chii Uhuru Kenyatta'
And as for me, i totally do agree with him because it's for our own benefit#FuelShortage— Kennedy (@mchelsea_madrid) September 5, 2018
Evoking some nasty memories..
https://twitter.com/EA_Scoop/status/1037437142476226561
Its getting desperate out here Mr.President..
Plan with the distributors to "strike", resulting in fuel scarcity. Guys then become desperate & are willing to pay any price, including the increased prices. They're so relieved when supply is returned & new prices are accepted just like that #RandomPropaganda #FuelShortage
— Dennis Mungai (@dpmungai) September 5, 2018
‘Common cause’ mode activated..
I once agreed that we politic too much as a country. I stand corrected. There is no better time to do politics like right now. Citizens getting fully engaged on issues without being pitted against each other on tribal lines. #FuelShortage #EconomyInRecession
— Hussein Mohammed (@husseinmoha) September 5, 2018
Deadlines set..
By Friday if Uhuru doesn’t intervene I fear most businesses in Kenya will shut down.
— Xtian Dela™ (@xtiandela) September 5, 2018