Two Kenyans have filed an application at the National Assembly so that house can look into the high fuel prices that have sparked anger among Kenyans.
The petition that was received by speaker Justin Muturi was filed by Antony Manyara and John Wangai who are calling for the urgent repeal of Section 13 of the Finance Act, 2018 so as the issue of sharp rise in prices of petroleum and petroleum products can be addressed.
The two Kenyans complained about section 13 of the Finance Act, 2018 which amended section 5(2) of the Value Added Tax, 2013 thereby introducing an 8% VAT on petroleum and petroleum products which had previously been tax exempt while citing effects that the spike on fuel prices had on taxpayers.
Speaker Muturi said that the matter was urgent hence directing the National Assembly’s Finance Committee to look into it and provide a report within 14 days.
“Honourable members, you will agree with me that this is a current matter which is of great concern to the people. Indeed, in addition to this Petition as well as a similar Petition by the Member for Matungulu, the Hon. Stephen Mule Mutinda, MP, I have received requests for Adjournment Motions from the Member for Dagoretti North, Hon. Simba Arati, MP and Nominated Member, the Hon. Wilson Sossion, MP seeking adjournment of the House so as to deliberate on this very issue,” Muturi wrote to the Members of Parliament.
“I have determined that the best avenue for resolving the issue at hand is not a Motion under Standing Order 33, but rather legislation, and it is on the same basis that I declined to approve Statements and Questions from several other Members on the matter,” he added.
Muturi also directed the Finance Committee to attach a draft Bill to its report proposing legislative interventions as sought by the petitioners for his approval for publication.
He directed the committee to find out whether there are other reasons that led to the rise in the cost of petroleum and petroleum products aside from taxation and also legislative measures to address them.
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