Clerics Call for Tax Review on Basic Commodities
By Tobby Otum
Catholic religious leaders drawn from Mombasa dioceses have sent a passionate appeal to the National Assembly to review tax imposed on basic commodities.
They called on parliament to look at the taxation regime and to consider fiscal policies to zero rate some of the basic commodities and essential food items.
Under the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops they said, after a meeting held at Kenya Catholic Secretariat, their calls will lead to reduction in prices of basic food items.
Led by Archdiocese of Mombasa the Most Rev Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde they called on the government to focus on reduction of petroleum products whose rise has directly effected the cost of living.
He was addressing journalists during a media briefing held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Mvita constituency, Mombasa county.
The Archbishop told journalists they are concerned with the high cost of living in the country.
Kivuva, who doubles up as Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops chairman, and who was flanked by 25 members, said they are concerned with increased burden placed on Kenyans.
He pointed out apart from the high cost of living they are also concerned with price of essentials household items like cooking gas and electricity.
“They continue to be way above the reach of millions of ordinary Kenyans struggling to put food on the table,” he added.
The Archbishop criticised the government over the cost of fuel which has also continued to rise every month.
Kivuva argued the government’s move to continue to raise the cost of fuel every month has contributed further to the increase in prices of essential goods and services.
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