Six governors from the Central Kenya Economic Bloc have asked President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Treasury to relook into the 16 per cent value added tax on fuel.
The want the Treasury to formulate alternatives in raising revenue in a way that will not hurt Kenyans.
Led by Nyandarua’s Francis Kimemia, the governors asked the president to sign the Finance Bill 2018 into law and reverse the application of the law.
“This [tax] will affect our people down to the grassroots. Our incomes are very low in our counties [and] we have heard cries from our people pleading that we possibly plead with the national government and with his Excellency president Uhuru Kenyatta that he reviews the tax because it’s very high for our people,” Kimemia said.
The governors from the Central Kenya Economic Bloc were met at a Nairobi hotel to discuss the region’s development agenda.
Those present included Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Nderitu Muriithi (Laikipia), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) and Kiraitu Murungi (Meru).
Murungi said the tax will increase the prices of commodities across board include farm produce.
“That’s why we are asking the president when he comes back from China to look into it so that we don’t spoil our economy.”
Waiguru said the tax will not just increase the cost of living but it will also hinder economic growth.
“This means we will be stuck in this cycle of never improving and getting out of poverty,” she said.