ODM leader Raila Odinga on Sunday revealed that President Uhuru Kenyatta is likely to intervene to tame the high fuel price in the country.
Speaking during the National Government Affirmative Action Funds Football tournament at Kenyatta Sports grounds in Kisumu, Raila indicated that he has faith that Uhuru will shelve the increment once he assents to the Finance Bill as passed by Parliament.
"You should not panic at all. Very soon the President will scrap off the heavy levy on fuel products. He listens to public outcry," he stated.
He was making reference to Parliament's amendment to the Finance Bill, 2018, which was moved by the Minority Whip Junet Mohamed seeking to delay the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products for two more years.
The fuel hike has seen MPs give CS Rotich 72 hours to retract the move or face impeachment.
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Sunday called for the disciplining of the Treasury CS for defying MPs on increase of VAT on fuel.
The introduction of the VAT in petroleum products was contained in the budget speech delivered by the Treasury Cabinet Secretary in June.
Through the Secretary-General Stephen Muturo, Cofek opposed the move stating: "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.
