Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Sunday called for the disciplining of Treasury CS Henry Rotich for defying MPs over increasing VAT on fuel.
Through his Twitter handle, the Senator posed: "Will the Speaker of the National Assembly call for a special sitting to discuss the defiance by CS Treasury on VAT on fuel? Kitaeleweka (We will get to the bottom of this)".
The National Assembly led by the Minority Whip Junet Mohamed amended the Finance Bill, 2018, hence delaying the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products for two more years.
However, the Treasury CS defied this move meant to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of living terming it as "null and void".
Seeking to change the date of the implementation of the 16 per cent VAT to September 1, 2020, Junet noted: "Kenyans are going through tough times and it is only fair that we suspend the implementation of this VAT".
The introduction of the VAT in petroleum products was contained in the budget speech delivered by Treasury Cabinet Secretary in June.
This move has however angered many stakeholders including the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek).
Through the Secretary-General Stephen Muturo, Cofek stated: "At the very least, this is impunity by Treasury and we are cautioning him (CS Rotich). We are also calling on Parliament to censure him."
The Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU) on its part threatened to call for a national strike if the government implements the proposal.
"We shall call for a national strike of all our members and the country will come to a standstill. We will ensure every citizen takes part in the protest to remind Rotich that he is there to serve workers," COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli indicated.
The Matatu Owners Association has vowed to hike fares by 30 per cent as the proposal gets implemented.
