President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to make an important announcement today on the 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on all petroleum products.

"Following consultation with the leadership of the National Assembly on the 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on all petroleum products, President Uhuru Kenyatta will tomorrow Friday, 14th September 2018, address the Nation," a statement from the State House Spokesperson, Kanze Dena read.

This comes hours after the president rejected the Finance Bill 2018 meaning the high cost of fuel that Kenyans have been overburdened with during the past week will remain in place.

Parliament special sitting

A special sitting of the National Assembly has been called by the Speaker Justin Muturi for Tuesday, 18th September and on Thursday, September 20 following the president's rejection of the bill.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 29(3) of the Standing Orders of the Members of the National Assembly, it is notified that special sittings of the Assembly shall be held in the National Assembly Chamber in the Main Parliament Buildings, on Tuesday, September 18 and on Thursday, September 20,” stated a Gazette Notice dated September 13.

The National Assembly had passed an amendment to the Finance Bill 2018 extending the transitional exemption on petroleum products for a further two years, until September 1, 2020.