When controversial Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria on Tuesday appeared for an interview on Citizen TV's Newsnight programme, many viewers including a fellow panellist were quick to note that the legislator appeared drunk.
Former Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale was the first to throw the first shot when he jokingly wondered why there was no 'alcoblow' at the studio's door, a jibe that was aimed at Kuria.
“I wish we had put an alcohol blow at the door before we came in,” said Khalwale.
Kuria, however, hit back at Khalwale, accusing him of procuring abortions.
“Let me tell you something before you were conducting abortions, I was still in politics,” said Kuria.
Kuria who had been invited to defend his position of publicly supporting the controversial 16 per cent VAT imposed on petroleum products, was clear that those opposed to the tax were simply 'unpatriotic'.
"Debts are good for economic development. However, these debts must be paid through taxes. Anyone telling Kenyans not to pay the 16 per cent VAT on fuel is being unpatriotic by denying the government its right to collect the tax," Kuria said.
He argued that the fuel tax will have no effect on the price of basic commodities, a point that fellow panellists sharply countered.
“There is no VAT on maize flour and wheat flour. The basic commodities are zero-rated. Even if the VAT is implemented on fuel, the basic consumption products are zero-rated. What would we say if there was VAT on unga?” he asked.
“Paying taxes is sacred. We are shooting ourselves in the foot if we deny government the right to levy taxes,” he added.
It is at this point that Khalwale accused Kuria of being the government's 'omunyambi'.
The Luhya word immediately caused a storm on Twitter with non-Luhya speakers seeking to understand what Khalwale meant.
Well, according to Wanga (Luhya sub-tribe) traditional kingdom, a king had some people around him who were known as the 'omunyambi'. 'Omunyambi' means 'one who has farted'.
So, whenever the king farted, the 'omunyambi' with the king at that particular moment, would own up to the act to save the king from embarrassment.
In Khalwale's context, Kuria as the 'government's omunyambi', was owning up to the government's fuel levy that has infuriated majority of Kenyans.
"We are going to pay VAT on fuel. Take this to the bank,” said Kuria.
Some Twitter users argued that that could have been the reason why Kuria appeared for the interview allegedly drunk, to tell Kenyans 'things as they are without mincing a word'.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has maintained his silence on the 16 per cent VAT on fuel despite jetting back into the country from China on Sunday.
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