Government and Policy

Give With The Left, Rob With The Right: Kenyans To Pay More For Fuel, Homes

BY Juma · April 8, 2020 09:04 am

Do you think the Jubilee government is doing everything to shield the common mwananchi against the impact of the deadly Coronavirus? Do you think this government has the interests of the people at heart? If your answers to those questions are yes, then you need urgent medical attention outside the country.

As much as the Jubilee government seems to be busy to be concerned about the plight of Kenyans, deep within, and in what will be manifested on the surface soon, they are planning to squeeze every little coin out of the frightened and already emaciated Kenyans.

Did you know that as your government lies in being serious on “Covid-19 mitigation” you will soon be paying more on fuel, gas, bread, power, solar, fertilizer, house and so many other basic commodities? In other words, you are going to pay more during this pandemic than ever before.

In a new bill that was set to be tabled in the National Assembly this month (it might not happen due to the current partial lockdown, meaning the provisions will be implemented with or without parliament’s approval), new levied have been placed on fuel, sale of homes and land, on bread and gas.

In the new bill, those selling land worth 3 million shillings in urban centers and any farmland below 50 acres outside the town will have to part with a 5 percent tax.

Globally, the price of crude oil has dropped to an 18-year-low by more than 30 percent. With this drop, it is expected that the price of the finished products across the world, especially Kenya, to drop as well. But no, the Bill has proposed an increase in the price of fuel for the government to collect more taxes.

In the new bill, the duty on petrol will go up by 3.30 shillings, 2.50 shillings on diesel while that on kerosene will also go up by 2.50 shillings.

When prices of fuel increase, they affect almost every sector. This means that the whole of the manufacturing sector is going to be hit. This will automatically lead to an increase in the price of goods. This will also spiral the inflation rate in the country and Kenyans, as always will carry the burden.

The Bill is also introducing the 14 percent Value Added Tax on cooking gas. This means the refiling of gas cylinders will increase than it is currently. Currently, the refilling of a 6-kilogram gas cylinder is between 1,000 and 1,200 shillings from 850 shillings. Refilling a 13-kilogram gas cylinder is currently between 2,000 and 2,500 shillings. With the re-introduction of the VAT, the refilling will move up by at least 300 shillings.

READ: Why Most Kenyans Won’t Benefit Form Covid-19 PAYE Relief

About Juma

Juma is an enthusiastic journalist who believes that journalism has power to change the world either negatively or positively depending on how one uses it.(020) 528 0222 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com