Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula now wants the National Assembly to trash a proposal by President Uhuru Kenyatta to introduce valued added tax (VAT) on fuel.
The Head of State on Thursday rejected and returned to Parliament Finance Bill 2018 which sought to postpone for two years 16 per cent VAT on all petroleum products, recommending the tax be pegged at 8 per cent.
In a televised address to the Nation, Uhuru said the new tax was necessary to enable government finance its various projects and assured Kenyans that their money would be used to fund 'clear and tangible products'.
"The Finance Bill 2018/19 brought to me on Thursday protected the status quo and sacrificed the bigger vision. It took the easy path, instead of rising to the challenges of our time. It was good politics, but bad leadership," he said on Friday.
But Wetang'ula opposed the new tax on fuel noting it will lead to high cost of living and consequently destroy the economy.
Through his official Twitter handle, the FORD-Kenya leader urged MPs to rally behind their earlier proposal that suspended the implementation of VAT on fuel by two years.
"The President's refusal to assent to the Finance Bill 2018 is a major misstep that will have extreme and negative consequences on the economy. Fuel has an impact on every sector of our daily lives. Parliament must remain firm," said the self-declared leader of opposition.
He added: "A responsible Parliament must reject the President's memorandum and re-enact the rejected bill. Save the country the economic pain and stress."
The MPs have been recalled from their month-long recess for two sittings next week to debate on the President's proposal.