Episode 69: Fuelling Our Nightmares

Otherwise?

Beginning September 1st 2018, 16% VAT was applied on petroleum products, sparking nationwide uproar. This tax on petroleum products was first proposed by the VAT Act (2013) and scheduled to kick in in September 2016. However, in 2016, it was postponed by another 2 years. Before the price increase, petrol was KES 113.73, diesel was KES 102.74 and kerosene was KES 84.95 in Nairobi. After VAT was applied on September 1st, the price of petrol became KES 127.80, diesel KES 115.00 and kerosene KES 97.41.

Kenyans are now paying 44% in taxes per litre of fuel. We're joined by Ramah Nyang, a journalist, to discuss this increase in tax and the effects it will have on Kenyans' lives. Press play!

Resources

Fuel VAT to raise prices by up to Sh17 per litre

Treasury to take Sh57.57 for every litre of petrol sold

Kenyans big losers if fuel prices rise

Tough times ahead as prices of basic goods, services set to rise

Minority Whip Junet Mohamed seeks to delay tax plan on fuel

Uhuru cuts fuel VAT to 8%, State hospitality expenditure

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: Economic Survey 2018

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: INFLATION TRENDS 1961-PRESENT

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: Integrated Household Budget Survey

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: Consumer Price Indices and Inflation Rates for August 2018

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Report First Quarter, 2018

Death by VAT

Taxing for a More Equal Kenya

Episode 62: Tax Justice in Kenya

Image Credit: Bizna Kenya