Rotich meeting with Parliament leaders to end fuel crisis stalls

Kenyans will continue to pay for fuel through the nose after a crisis meeting between Treasury and the National Assembly leadership failed to bear fruit.

The meeting that brought together the National Treasury CS Henry Rotich and Parliament leaders including Speaker Justin Muturi lasted for approximately two hours.

“We have had a meeting to try and address the issue that you have raised and this was just the first meeting and I can assure you that going forward we will be able to address the issues that might be of concern to Kenyans,’’ Muturi said.

The CS echoed similar sentiments saying they will hold other meeting to resolve the issue.

He however remained non-committal in regards to suspending the 16percent fuel tax only saying “out of the series of meetings we will inform you accordingly.”

Others who attended the meeting include Aden Duale (Majority Leader), Kimani Ichungwa (Budget and Appropriation Committee Chair), Joseph Limo (Finance Committee chair) and staff from the Parliamentary Budget Office.

Attorney General Paul Kihara, Solicitor General Ken Ogeto, and the Deputy Chief of Staff Njee Muturi represented the Executive arm of the government.

The President has been under immense pressure to sign the amended Finance Bill that will suspend implementation the 16percent tax on fuel products for a further two years.