A section of legislators from Jubilee and their NASA counterpart have expressed different views on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s proposed financial Bill that is expected to be debated in Parliament on Thursday.
On one side, Jubilee MPs led by Mr John Kiarie (Dagoreti), Women Reps, Ms Beatrice Nkatha (Tharaka Nithi), Ms Joyce Korir (Bomet), Ms Faith Gitau (Nyandarua ) Ms Tecla Tum (Nandi) and nominated Mp Halima Mucheke vowed to support the slashing of fuel tax by 8 per cent or zero percent during the special sitting of Parliament.
Mr Kiarie said they fully support the President and the amendments he proposed when the bill was sent to him.
He said that although the government needs money for development the country should not solely rely on fuel TAX but the treasury Cabinet Secretary should source for funds from elsewhere noting that there were many ways that the government can get money.
Ms Nkatha on her side said that she was fully in support of the Presidents Amendments saying that Kenyans should not be overburdened by heavy tax and should be allowed to pay tax that they can afford.
On the other side, Women Reps Ms Catherine Wabirianga (Bungoma) and her Kakamega counterpart Ms Else Muhandi vowed to oppose the bill in parliament.
Ms Wambirianga and her counterparts said that they would oppose the bill until fuel is tax is reduced to zero per cent.
She said that even if the VAT would be reduced from 16 percent to 8 percent the fuel price will not change but will remain the same and that was the reason they were calling for zero percent tax in fuel.
The lawmaker said that common Man has suffered for a long time and they will not allow them to suffer anymore through taxation.
She said that there were other places and some ministries that were given big allocation and the government should reduce spending in such ministries and at the same challenge the government to recover the money stolen through corruption and use it to develop the country.
Ms Wabirianga said the government should also seal corruption loopholes.
On her part Ms. Muhandi said that she would mobilize other Mps to shoot down the bill.
The leaders spoke at Ol Joro Orok Township in Nyandarua County during a function to supply free sanitary towels for girls.