Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has announced that he supports the 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Kuria has said if supporting the 16 per cent VAT on fuel will make him lose some of his friends and supporters, then he is ready to let them go.
"Yes. I am supporting 16% VAT on fuel. I am not ashamed of it. I am not pretentious. And yes I know I will lose some of my friends and supporters. But my principles are more important to me as a Christian, a leader and a man who went to the river and not for fetching water to build a mud-walled house," read part of Kuria's post.
Speaking during Citizen TV's News Night show, Kuria argued that paying taxes is sacred, adding that the price of basic commodities such as maize flour will not be affected by the 16 per cent VAT as the products are zero-rated.
“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.
The 16 per cent VAT on petroleum products was implemented on September 1, 2018, leading to a hike in fuel prices.
The transport sector increased fare prices with at least Sh10, despite complains from Kenyans.
Kuria's stand has elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans, with some saying the VAT is only meant to oppress them while others saying they will have to put up with it.
Here are some of their reactions.