MPs make final decision on VAT increase [Full Results]

Parliament on Thursday afternoon approved President Uhuru Kenyattas plan to introduce 8 percent VAT on fuel products.

In a heated session characterised by passionate exchanges and loud shouts, the amendments introduced by President Kenyatta were passed after those opposed to the proposals failed to reach the two thirds majority required.

Initially, the vote was passed through a voice vote but although the "nay" appeared to dominate, the clerk announced that the "yes" side had it.

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It was then that Majority Leader Aden Duale marshalled the government side to rise up - an act that forces a ballot vote.

Jubilee MPs walked out during the final vote which requires at least 233 MPs to vote against the President's memorandum.

When the roll call was later called, there were 215 MPs in the House forcing the clerk to declare the recommendation to have passed, without need for a vote.

The amendments will now see an 8 percent VAT charged on fuel products, down from the 16 percent introduced by Treasury.

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The price of fuel products is also expected to go down with petrol expected to retail at around Sh117, from the current Sh127. Diesel will drop from Sh115 to Sh107.

The final vote was taken following intervention of President Kenyatta and ODM Leader Raila Odinga after some MPs had insisted that they would overturn the proposal and totally scrap out VAT on fuel.

Most of the legislators, however, changed their minds after meeting their party leaders in separate Parliamentary Group meetings.