Member of Parliament for Molo Constituency and chair of the National Assembly Finance Committee, Kuria Kimani has justified why the national treasury proposed raising the VAT on bread to 16 per cent.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Thursday, May 16, 2024, the lawmaker stated that the treasury had a conversation on the proposed tax following concerns about diabetes.
“We had a very long conversation with the national treasury, on this VAT on bread, the initial thinking was that bread has concern about diabetes and all that but the argument that we are receiving from Kenyans is that bread is not a luxury good, its something that people have every morning for breakfast every time,” he said.
The MP’s remarks come hot on the heels of an ongoing debate over increased taxation of the precious commodity.
Various leaders across the country have come out to tell off the government over the proposal which they say will burden Kenyans who already struggle to survive the lean times.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino yesterday asked citizens to join in protests against the poposed taxes on the Finance Bill 2024.
Babu expressed displeasure in the move saying the policy will make life unbearable for citizens, he added that the tax increases were escalating expenses without matching incomes.
He further defended that mass demonstrations were the only sure way for Kenyans to address their grievances and transform the country.
“When it comes to the Finance Bill, you know very well that Kenyans are suffering because of the high cost of living and every year the increment of the taxes leads to an increment in expenditure without an increment in income in the pockets of common mwananchi. Right now the Kenya Kwanza government is introducing a tax on bread. We know the French Revolution, it was caused because of economic inequality and social injustice.
“When common mwananchi were demonstrating demanding that the cost of bread be lowered in France during the reign of King Louis XVI. The people said you must lower the cost of bread, the wife to the king, Marie Antonette came out boldly and said ‘ If you guys can’t afford bread, eat cake’ that is what Ruto is telling us, that if we can’t afford bread, we eat cake. His excellency Kalonzo said, this nation can only be changed if there are demonstrations, no negotiations,” Babu said.
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