Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa has defended Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) Henry Rotich against criticism over the increased fuel prices.
Ichung’wa said that the CS is being attacked wrongly for implementing a law that was passed by Parliament in 2013.
The MP noted that MPs passed the Finance Bill in 2013 that recommended the 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament Buildings on Thursday, the Jubilee MP hit out at some of his colleagues accusing them of politicising the VAT issue.
“The issue of the 16 per cent VAT was passed in 2013 by MPs and it is ironical that some MPs are against it now,” he said.
Ichung’wa who is also the chairperson of the National Assembly Budget Committee asked MPs to stop using the fuel prices to incite Kenyans for political gains.
The increased fuel prices continue to cause public uproar with Kenyans pleading with President Uhuru Kenyatta to suspend it.
The price adjustments were effected on September 1, 2018.
On Thursday, CS Rotich, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Garissa Township MP Aden Duale held a closed-door meeting following public uproar over the 16 per cent levy.
The leaders are said to have agreed to review the tax even as a High Court Judge sitting in Bungoma temporarily suspended the 16 per cent VAT implementation.
The tax has seen fuel prices go up resulting in an increase in bus fares.
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