Passing Finance Bill will mark beginning of Ruto regime’s fall – MP Wandayi
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi says approval of the contentious Finance Bill 2023 will mark the beginning of the fall of President William Ruto's administration.
Addressing the House on Wednesday, Wandayi insisted that proposals in the Bill including an increment of the VAT on petroleum products from 8 per cent to 16 per cent were punitive and should be dropped.
"If by any chance this clause becomes part of the bill and the VAT on fuel is increased to 16%, this will be the saddest day in the history of this country. If by any chance this Finance Bill is passed and it becomes an act of Parliament, that will mark the beginning of the fall of this regime," Wandayi told the House.
However, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah defended the decision to double tax on petroleum, saying Kenya's neighbours like Uganda charge more.
"VAT on fuel in Kenya, even at 16 per cent, is still the lowest with Uganda at 18 per cent," Ichung'wah said.
Minority Whip Junet Mohamed accused the Kikuyu MP of misleading the House, arguing that fuel is cheaper in Uganda and Tanzania compared to Kenya.
"Is it in order for the Majority Leader to mislead the House that the rate of VAT on fuel in Uganda and Tanzania is higher than in Kenya when he knows very well that fuel is cheaper in Uganda and Tanzania by far Ichung’wah," Mohamed fired at Ingung'wah.
Ichung'ah attributed the low fuel prices in the neighbouring countries to subsidies.
"Fuel could be cheaper in Uganda and Tanzania, but look at the interventions there that include subsidies," Ichung'awah responded.
MPs are debating on amendments to the Bill which is in the Third Reading.
The Bill seeks to raise additional revenue in taxes in the region of Ksh130 billion to finance the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Ksh3.6 trillion budget for the 2023/24 financial year.
