Lawmakers insincere on the 16 per cent fuel tax fiasco

Muranga Senator Irungu Kangata (left) and Majority Leader Aden Duale during a 2018 budget reading on 14/6/18 [Beverlyne Musili,Standard]

Kenyan lawmakers last week voted to defer the 16 per cent VAT on petroleum products through amendments to the Finance Bill, 2018 arguing the levy would hike inflationary pressure.

However, President Uhuru Kenyatta is yet to assent to the Finance Bill, 2018 meaning the 16 per cent VAT contained in the Finance Act 2016 becomes law by default.