Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed a new finance bill into law, officially introducing a series of new taxes, including one on fuel, which has led to public anger and strikes.
The bill was passed by parliament on Thursday during an acrimonious session marked by loud protests from lawmakers opposed to a new eight percent value-added tax on all petroleum products.
Kenya’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has already revised the cost of fuel to reflect the changes in the finance act.
The Cost of petrol and diesel decreases by Ksh8.80 and Ksh7.35 respectively, while that of kerosene increases by Ksh10.71.
The passage of the bill and signing into law was crucial for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government since it authorizes it to collect revenue and spend in the financial year through to the end of June 2019.
Kenyatta pledged to ensure public funds are utilized properly.
“I will ensure proper utilization of public resources for a better Kenya. I will not relent on the war against corruption,” he wrote on his Twitter feed.
Kenyans have been angered by the new taxes, accusing authorities of forcing them to dig deeper into their pockets, while the government presides over wastage of its revenue through theft and corruption.
