Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has pleaded with President Uhuru Kenyatta to save Kenyans from the high cost of living likely to be caused by hiked fuel prices.
In an open letter, Owino urged the Head of State to sign the Finance Bill 2018 passed by National Assembly last Thursday and save Kenyan citizens from difficult times.
Owino has asked the President to find innovative ways of cutting down public expenditure and wastage instead of imposing high taxes on Kenyans.
“I note that during your visit to the US, it was made public that your government is borrowing the sum equivalent of Ksh.450 billion for the construction of a six lane highway from Mombasa to Nairobi,” writes the former Students’ Organization of Nairobi University (SONU) boss in the letter.
“I further note that in your visit to China, your government has taken on a further Ksh.380 billion in debt for the construction of Phase 2A of the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Kisumu. This totals close to a trillion shillings in new debt in the span of ten days.”
The ODM MP termed the new levy on petroleum products as illegal since Parliament had previously voted to amend the Finance Bill and postpone the implementation of the proposed 16 percent VAT on fuel.
“Parliament is the supreme law making organ of the land as per the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and as such any attempt by the Executive to levy a tax not approved by the August House is both illegal and unconstitutional,” notes Owino.
“I therefore take this opportunity to request you to assent to the Finance (Amendment) Bill 2018 and save our people from the difficult times such a tax promises.”
“We as Parliament have read the mood of the people and realized that the Bill as initially proposed would portend untold suffering amongst the most vulnerable in our society. Our people are already overburdened with the high cost of living. The introduction of such a tax at this time would only serve to make their lives more unbearable,” he adds.
WIMBO WA KANU
Oh KANU…
WIMBO WA KANU
Oh KANU yajenga nchi x2
KANU AA! KANU yajenga nchi x2
WIMBO WA JUBILEE
Oh JUBILEE yaleta umaskini x2
JUBILEE AA! JUBILEE yaleta umaskini x2
Au:
JUBILEE! JUBILEE!…
Au:
JUBILEE! JUBILEE! Yavunja INCHI!!!×2
JUBILEE! Yavunja INCHI!!!×2
The government must exempt…
The government must exempt staples from VAT since such taxation would impact the majority poor disproportionately. Fuel VAT would impact the poor majority since public transportation would pass the VAT to their clients via increased fares. Developed nation give such relief to the poor and Kenya should be no exception. Uhuru should reject the VAT on fuel.
We appreciate the concern…
We appreciate the concern but why don’t we first start with the large hefty allowances and travel expenses that the members of parliament and other government officials are paid and the expense of common mwananchi.
Does Owino want Uhuru to dip…
Does Owino want Uhuru to dip in his pocket and help out?.All these money that is being borrowed from China,USA,and the world bank has to be paid back with interest.And note that most african countries are still struggling with interest forget the principle for now.
We are over borrowing,and its the future generation that will pay a price for this…more than the present generation.
Apparently there is no other way to raise revenue,other than raising tax.The alternative is worse,and that is lay off people and cut public funding on various projects,or do more borrowing.
How the hell did we get into this mess…
You got there via Katiba and…
You got there via Katiba and looting.Ask yourself-Why 48 govts.yet we could not finance one?Why do we have senate,women reps & 390 MPs?Why useless bloated govt?And to tap it all-Why did we take corruption to the grassroots?
Nyaluo I echo your Brilliant…
Nyaluo I echo your Brilliant sentiments.
Nyaluo , I totally agree…
Nyaluo , I totally agree with you
Who listens to this…
Who listens to this uncircumcised idiot of a small boy.We haven’t forgotten the way u abused the president of the republic other day so go to Hell boy owino.bure kabisa.Thank yr God u leave in Kenya not Uganda or Rwanda juu ungenjua what to b cut means.
Ngai baba is that necessary?…
Ngai baba is that necessary? Uhuru forgave why not you?
MKOPO USIO NA RIBA (loan…
MKOPO USIO NA RIBA (loan without interest)
Katika imani ya Kiislamu, huruhusiwi kuuliza riba iwapo umemkopesha mtu aliye na shida ya pesa.
Kwa nini Kenya haiendi Saudi Arabia au katika nchi nyingine za Uarabuni ambazo bila shaka haziulizi riba na kukopa pesa huko?
@MKENYA HALISI, nakuomba tafadhali uheshimu mila za Wakenya wengine hata kama zinatofautiana na zako. Hii ndiyo ishara ya kuwa mtu mzima au kama tunavyosema katika lugha yangu ya asili, ” Mundu mugima.”