Raila Junior revolts against father on fuel levy with tweet
Nasa leader Raila Odinga’s son Raila Junior has blasted the opposition for backing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recommendations to the Finance Bill.
Junior tweeted that he was unconvinced by the position of his father’s coalition to back the introduction of VAT on petroleum products.
“Unfortunately as a Kenyan citizen, I am unconvinced by the statement put out by NASA on the VAT on Fuel, none of the conditions they’ve put up are measurable and even if they were they are nowhere near closing the deficit on the debt. I call for my MP @okothkenneth to reject,” he wrote.
NASA PG
The tweet was posted moments after his father had presided over Nasa’s parliamentary group meeting that endorsed President Kenyatta’s recommendations, albeit with slight conditions.
Nasa offered conditional support to President Kenyatta’s memorandum to Parliament that proposed a 8% Value Added Tax on petroleum products instead of the initial 16%.
The Nasa meeting was attended by MPs from all Nasa-allied parties — Mr Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper and Moses Wetangula’s Ford-Kenya.
The opposition’s conditions were that the government eliminates wastage, be economical with resources, be sensitive to hard financial times facing Kenyans and live within its means.
Unfortunately as a Kenyan citizen, I am unconvinced by the statement put out by NASA on the VAT on Fuel, non of the conditions they’ve put up are measurable and even if they were they are nowhere near closing the deficit on the debt. I call for my MP @okothkenneth to reject.
— Raila Junior Odinga (@Railajunior) September 18, 2018
Raila Junior’s sentiments were lauded by many including Third Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot who commented; “Raila @Railajunior .Thank you for being BOLD to reject what is not right .We have proposed that we #AmendVATAct2013 .There is no difference in 8% and 16% .Kenyans are still overtaxed. Our reasons are SOLID.”
Junior responded; “Boss, my position is independent of yours. I don’t need any sort of endorsement from you. I am speaking for a generation of young Kenyans who want a better Kenya. #PundaAmechoka.”
Benji Ndolo commented; “This the FIRST serious tweet I have ever seen from you demonstrating clear logic and independent thinking. I therefore congratulate you Raila Jr, keep it up! Well done.”
Silas Kinyua added; “I like your thinking Junior, beyond sycophancy, kingpinship and nepotism…. You have a future.”
Justin Biketi wrote; “Boss, don’t try to pull a populist statement here. We all know Baba coerced ODM legislators to endorse it. But what do I know, lets all suffer.”
Benard McOtieno stated; “@RailaOdinga chaired the meeting which endorsed the 8% bro. Should have called him to resist the VAT to its totality.”