A section of Kibera residents now say that they are prepared to go to the streets in protest against the government's move to implement the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) that has seen fuel prices increase.
The residents say that they are feeling the pinch of the increased fuel and wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to suspend the VAT.
In an interview on Wednesday, the residents said that they are waiting for directions from their leaders before pouring on the streets.
“We are ready to go to the streets because we are the people who are feeling the pain of being taxed,” Martin Buluma, a bodaboda operator at Ngumo trading center said.
Buluma said that the increase in fuel has made business bad.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta should urgently stop implementation of the VAT in interest of poor Kenyans,” Tabitha Wanjiru, a vegetable vendor in Ngumo said.
Wanjiru said that common Kenyans are suffering as a result of the increase VAT on fuel.
“The 16% VAT on fuel is a clear indication that the government does not care for our interests a spoor citizens,” Abraham Olajo, a security guard said.
Olajo said that he has been forced to walk from his home to work because he cannot afford bus fare that has increased as a result of the high fuel prices.
The residents want the government to suspend the VAT on fuel and look for alternative areas to impose the tax.
On Tuesday, Nairobi activist Boniface Mwangi asked Nairobians to get ready for protests if the government will not lower down fuel prices.
Mwangi says that the implementation of the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel and petroleum products was done without the consent of Nairobians and Kenyans.
The Nairobi activist now says that he will lead peaceful protests if President Uhuru Kenyatta does not suspend the VAT.
The 16 % VAT on fuel and petroleum products came into force on September 1 despite MPs having voted to suspend it for two years.
The VAT on fuel has seen bus fares increase by Sh20 in Nairobi.
#Hivisasaoriginal