President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to address the nation on Friday on the fuel VAT issue after he rejected the Finance Bill 2018, which sought to have the tax on petroleum products suspended for a further two years. His address comes after consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly. He received the Bill for assent on Thursday from National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.
As a result of his decision, special sittings have been called for Members of parliament on Tuesday and Thursday next week to deliberate on the President’s decision, according to the Speaker. “The special sittings of the Assembly shall deal with the message of the President in respect of his reservations to the Finance Bill, 2018,” read a gazette notice. The decision to reject the Bill elicited different reactions from Kenyans who had hoped the taxation burden would be eased.