How Kenyans reacted to Uhuru’s recommendation on fuel tax reduction
By MWENDE KASUJJA and NYABOGA KIAGEKenyans have given varied reactions to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recommended for the reduction of Value Added Tax on petroleum products from 16% to 8%.
If the proposal is given a nod by the National Assembly, then the price of diesel will reduce from Sh 115 per litre to Sh 107 and that of petrol from Sh 127 per litre to Sh 118.
But a majority of those commenting said the VAT should have been scrapped all together and the government expenditure reduced.
Financial analyst Wehliye Mohammed tweeted his recommendation that he shared on Thursday night after the President rejected the Finance Bill 2018.
H.E amesikia sauti ya King’eero Institute https://t.co/KgUS7bISvM
— Mohamed Wehliye (@WehliyeMohamed) September 14, 2018
Jeff Onyancha, who lives in Kasarani, said that the reduction was welcomed but the president should have completely scrapped off the VAT.
“It is a good step but how I wish the President completely did away with the VAT for a while,” he said.
Ms Rachael Omambia asked parliament not to allow the proposal until the VAT is totally scrapped off.
In her view, it would be better if the budget of various arms of government is cut further than taxing poor Kenyans.
“Let them cut the budget of the various arms of government and stop being harsh on Kenyans,” she said.
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Passengers at the Kasarani Mwiki bus terminus at OTC also said that the reduction was only favoring those who owned cars.
On Twitter, other Kenyans too recommended a reduction of the size of the cabinet and firing of the Chief Administrative Secretaries whose positions were created after the 2017 elections.
Others also faulted President Kenyatta’s recommendation to cut back on government officials’ foreign travels, saying it had been suggested before and never implemented.
President Uhuru Kenyatta cannot peg his rejection of the Finance bill recomendations on his purpoted promise that ‘OUR TAXES WILL BE USED WELL’ when they have never been. Cutting it to 8% does not ease the suffering of Kenyans either. #StateOfTheNation @florence_mutua @Nyamwanda
— Kinyua Abala (@AbalaKinyua) September 14, 2018
This country just needs to win war on corruption and we won’t need IMF or China. All the loans and debts we owe is payment for corruption. President Kenyatta just needs to win War on Corruption #StateOfTheNation
— Jeff Mwazzak (@Jmwazzak) September 14, 2018
Down from 16% to 8%. Fellow Kenyans, I am not excited at all. Petroleum products should be VAT free, that’s how it has been since time in memorial. Fellow Kenyans, the increase in Petroleum affects all other products. Fellow Kenyans, embrace yourselves for tough times ahead!
— Muthoni Njakwe (@muthoni_njakwe) September 14, 2018
Nobody will be implementing those cuts. Politicians travel most and own the hotels. Cutting those is denying the business. #UhuruAddress
— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) September 14, 2018