MPs give CS Henry Rotich 72-hour ultimatum after defying parliament in fuel tax

janet ndila

September 2, 2018 2:04 PM

MPs reveal next course of action after CS Rotich defied parliament on fuel levy

Treasury CS Henry Rotich has been given 72 hours to scrap off the 16% VAT on fuel that has been met with outrage or face impeachment.

This was disclosed by a team of MPs led by Mathare legislator Anthony Oluoch a press conference on Sunday.

The lawmaker divulged that should Rotich fail to comply with the 72-hour ultimatum, they would call for mass action by Kenyans to protest the high fuel prices and institute proceedings to kick out the Treasury CS.

“We are invoking our sovereignty now under Article 1 of the constitution and saying that if you do not withdraw this directive, we will mobilise the people of Kenya in their numbers to come to the streets to demonstrate and we will institute proceedings for your removal,” Oluoch said.

The MPs accused the government of turning a blind eye to Kenyans who are already burdened by high cost of living.

The ultimatum comes barely a few hours after Rotich defied parliament’s decision to postpone the taxes until 2022 with new fuel prices which came into effect yesterday.

Treasury in collaboration with Kenya Revenue Authority and the Energy Regulatory Commission rolled out the taxes beginning yesterday, leading to a sharp increase in fuel prices and sparking massive outrage.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo also added his voice to the raging high fuel prices debate, calling for disciplinary action to be taken against the treasury CS for defying parliament.

Taking to Twitter, Kilonzo posed: “Will the speaker of the National assembly call for a special sitting to discuss the defiance by CS Treasury on VAT on fuel? Kitaeleweka (It will be clear and understood by all)”.

The Kenya Motorists’ Association has swiftly responded to the move, calling on all motorists to go on strike beginning tomorrow in a bid to compel the government to scrap off the taxes that experts believe will result into high cost of living and inflation.

Yesterday, ERC revised fuel prices with a liter of petrol retailing at 127.80 in Nairobi and Sh 141.61 in Mandera.

janet ndila