North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood has said there is need to amend the two thirds on rule in Parliament.
“It is important to change the constitution so that the two third rule is not used. If a bill is passed in Parliament and the President wants to change he will just use two thirds to overule it,” he said.
The lawmaker said that in 2018 the rule was used was to increase fuel prices when he was in the energy committee.
Dawood spoke on Saturday at CDF offices in Meru town when he gave out Uwezo Funds Cheque worth Sh5 million. He encouraged more to apply for the fund.
He said despite being opposed by majority of MPs who were present in the House, they failed to meet the constitutional threshold of two thirds as 233 were not present to oppose the memorandum by the President.
“When it was first brought to the committee, we passed that the VAT should be at zero per cent on petrol and diesel. The Finance CS was also seeking to increase kerosene by Sh18 so that it would not be mixed with petrol by unscrupulous dealers and we also opposed,” Dawood said.
He said despite the bill being shot down in Parliament,the leader of majority took it to President Uhuru Kenyatta to be signed without any amendments.
He said the CS had told the President developmental projects like roads, water, electricity and other will not be met if the fuel prices are not increased.
Dawood said the bill was then introduced again in Parliament and sought to increase VAT by eight per cent on petrol and diesel and Sh18 on kerosene.
The lawmaker said MPs who were not present during the debate should be sent home by Kenyans as they are to blame for the increased fuel prices.
On formation of parties Dawood said he is in Jubilee to stay and lauded the Uhuru's administration for initiating many infrastructural projects. He said he is not joining any other party and urged residents to be careful the parties they join.
He opposed formation of regional parties saying they will divide Mt Kenya region.
“I hear there are parties for Mt Kenya East, the question is are those who are creating such parties creating them for their interests or for residents. I urge residents not to accept to be put in baskets to be be sold,” he said.
-Edited by SKanyara
