Raila Jr reveals what he has told his father ahead of tax vote

Raila Odinga Jr on Thursday revealed that he had met his father Raila Odinga and explained to him how MPs should ahead of the vote on VAT on petroleum products.

Odinga Jr maintained that lawmakers should not be compelled to vote as a block as this is a critical issue that needs a sober approach.

“I have given @RailaOdinga my views against the 8% rise in VAT and expressed reasoning for MPs to vote independently. #Kenyansfirst,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.

On Tuesday Raila Junior on Tuesday differed with NASA’s stand on fuel tax, terming their statement as ‘unconvincing.’

He stated that the conditions put up by NASA will not close the deficit on debt.

“Unfortunately as a Kenyan citizen, I am unconvinced by the statement put out by NASA on the VAT on Fuel, none of the conditions they’ve put up are measurable and even if they were they are nowhere near closing the deficit on the debt.

“I call for my MP @okothkenneth to reject,” he wrote.

On Tuesday, leaders allied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supported the proposal by President Uhuru Kenyatta to slash VAT on petroleum products from 16 to 8 per cent.

Speaking after a parliamentary group meeting at Orange House, Nairobi, National Assembly Minority whip Junet Mohammed said the opposition will support the President’s stand for only one year.

“We feel the need to address the suffering of the people while also ensuring development is delivered.

“If the government makes genuine effort to implement these proposals, we will sit down and negotiate an extension of our support for another year if that will still be necessary,” said Mohammed.