Nasa supports President Uhuru’s 8 per cent fuel tax but on conditions

Supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta's slashing of  VAT on petroleum products  from 16 to 8 percent: ODM Leader Raila Odinga flanked by party members. [David Gichuru/Standard]

The ODM chunk of the National Super Alliance has supported the proposal by President Uhuru Kenyatta to slash VAT on petroleum products  from 16  to 8 per cent.

The decision was reached at after an ODM parliamentary group meeting at Orange House, Nairobi, chaired by party leader Raila Odinga.

It now awaits its support on the floor of the house this afternoon when Members of Parliament meet debate on whether to shoot the President’s proposal down or pass it.

However, the support by the opposition comes with the condition that it will only support the  president's position for a year. “We feel the need to address the suffering of the people while also ensuring development is delivered,” said National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohammed.

NASA has urged government to recover money from the proceeds of corruption  besides taming its penchant for starting projects some of which end up stalling.

The support also comes with its fair share of warning. “If nothing is done on our proposals, we will move a motion in the next budget to scrap VAT on petroleum products entirely,” it said.

This morning, 190 members of the Jubilee Party and its affiliates also met at State House, Nairobi, as parliamentary group.

Speaking to a local TV Station,Nominated MP Starehe MP Maina Kamanda was quoted saying that they too supported President Uhuru's take and five other areas that he has reservations on regarding the Finance Bill 2018.

Parliament  has  a special sitting to debate on the contentious VAT on petroleum products this afternoon.

Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta sent the Finance Bill, 2018 back to the National Assembly with counter proposals including reducing the levy from 16 to 8 per cent.

Until yesterday, MPs were broadly talking of rejecting the president's proposals.

In year-long window, Junet said ODM  will push the government to:

• Effect pararastal reforms to cut on wastage and duplication
• Freeze borrowing and take stock on the existing debt
• Spend more on social development
• Set up 24/7 anti-corruption courts
• Recover proceeds from corruption

Here are some of the reactions from Kenyans on Twitter to ODM’s  support  of President Uhuru’s position on the fuel levy:

• “One day, one year, two years Kenyans will still suffer from the fuel tax. 1pc, 2pc, 3pc Kenyans will still suffer from the fuel tax! NASA leaders are hypocrites! They have eaten their share and no longer care about the common mwananchi.” - Innocent Tawa twitter
• #NASA is now a #Jubilee affiliate party after the #HandCheque and should make room for a new #Revolutionary opposition party -Stephen Munyao
• I didn't expect anything away from both Jubilee and NASA house leaderships on the fuel tax. The MPs have always betrayed Kenyans. The executive will always use Parliament in oppressing the common man. -Elvis
• Dear NASA, ODM and Jubilee MPs, If you truly have Kenyans interests at heart, you must reject president Uhuru Kenyatta’s proposal on fuel tax.No nation has ever taxed itself into prosperity. #BadLeadershipKe