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{
    "id": 1000641,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1000641/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1289,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kikuyu, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1835,
        "legal_name": "Anthony Kimani Ichung'Wah",
        "slug": "anthony-kimani-ichungwah"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Deputy Speaker, you are aware why we get into these things. People are hesitant to pay what is owed and are very quick to get into new deals because of what comes with the procurement processes in this country. If we are intent on fighting corruption in this country, it must begin from the procurement process and in the payment and settlement of pending bills in the Government. We have a challenge as a House to help the Government and the people of Kenya especially the business community to deal with the question of pending bills. The economic stimulus package has come in handy. Part of that economic stimulus package is some Kshs10 billion that has been provided towards the payment and settlement of pending bills. I think almost Kshs6 billion will go towards settlement of VAT claims that are owed to the business community in this country. There will be challenges in the next financial year. Our revenues have been badly battered and will be battered by this pandemic and the humanitarian crisis that has created a situation where people are not able to work. I am glad that with the partial opening up of the curfew, people now can have a full day’s work up to 5.00 p.m. However, you must also appreciate that there are people like mama mbogas, mama chapatis and mama githeris who cook githeri and go to vend around our shopping centres in the evening up to about 9.00 p.m. or 10.00 p.m. and those people are not able to engage in economic activities. Therefore, our economy and revenues will be badly battered by this epidemic. Therefore, we must as a budget-making House, rise to the occasion and assist where we can, in being creative to ensure that our economy is opened up and our people are back to work and that our revenues are not as beaten as they would be. In the economic stimulus package, Kshs3 billion goes towards the tourism sector in terms of the Tourism Finance Corporation being able to advance loans to our hospitality industry. It is a good start, but it is not enough: Kshs3 billion is not enough in that sector with hotels closing down. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
}