All the roads in Nairobi and other towns in Kenya are set for a major traffic snarl up come Wednesday just after the Idd-ul-azha holiday celebrations.
Motorists announced plans to occasion a gridlock like had never been witnessed before in protest of the looming hike in fuel prices.
Drivers have been required to abandon their vehicles in the middle of the road and walk to work in solidarity with the move aimed at opposing the introduction more taxes on fuel.
Updated Notice
Please note that the protest against VAT high fuel prices set
for Wednesday 22 August 2018 is still on. However, time for parking your vehicles on the road has been extended by 3 hours. That is from 7:30 A.M to
10.30 A.M. Share Widely.#KOT #MakAdvocacy #WhyVote pic.twitter.com/eK209wlVaK— Motorist Association (@motoristsoffice) August 17, 2018
Kenya Motorists Association over the weekend confirmed that a majority of motorists had rejected the new VAT on fuel prices and supported the planned collective action to fight the hike.
“Please note that the protest against VAT high fuel prices set for Wednesday 22 August 2018 is still on. However, time for parking your vehicles on the road has been extended by 3 hours. That is from 7:30 A.M to 10.30 A.M” the association announced in a statement over the weekend.
The planned protests are targeting to have new taxes on fuel revised in favour of the consumer.
National Treasury principal secretary Kamau Thugge on Monday warned that fuel would attract a 6 percent value-added tax (VAT) starting September 1, 2018.
What bothers motorists and commuters the most is that when effected, petrol is expected to sell at Sh130.15, diesel at Sh119.77 and kerosene at Sh99.44.
The Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai already warned that the rise in fuel prices will only attract an increase in bus fare.
“Common sense in any business (means) that costs that come in are passed onto consumers,” held Kimutai.
[caption caption="A scenario of traffic jam along Thika Road"]
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