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{
    "id": 1003247,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1003247/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 331,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Wilberforce Oundo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13331,
        "legal_name": "Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo",
        "slug": "wilberforce-ojiambo-oundo-2"
    },
    "content": "on gas is going to damage our environment. We are moving towards clean energy. Returning to us to destroy our forests and by using charcoal and firewood was surely going to be a bad experience. Secondly, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the issue of taxation of pensioners has also featured very prominently in the debate all over, knowing that while a mass of our pension is calculated based on your last salary; knowing that quite a number of people receiving pensions probably exited the Public Service or employment when salaries were very low; knowing that inflation has been rising and there is not any indexation formulae to up the budget to cover inflation, was going to be a bit unfair. We hope that when we go to the Committee of the Whole House, we will deal with that matter to allow our pensioners to enjoy the little they are getting in their sunset years without being over-burdened. Thirdly, the issue that has also received a lot of support and concern is the Voluntary Tax Disclosure Agreement and the Tax Procedure Act as contained in clause 15 of the Bill before us. Many struggling businesses loath and fear KRA in equal measure. That is because the moment KRA lands in your office or business, however, small transgression you have made either intentionally or unintentionally, that could sound the death knell for your business. We believe this voluntary tax disclosure program will be run in such a manner to allow those who have had challenges probably in filing tax returns. And those who have had poor book keeping in the past will be given the remission they require so that they can resume their business and get the necessary clearance for instance, Tax Compliance Certificates, to allow them to undertake their programs. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, let me turn to the issue of Public Roads Toll Act and the amendments that are being made under clauses 21 to 26. It is a fact that the Kenya Government might not have enough money to undertake all necessary infrastructure and capital projects. The best way to go is PPP. In addition, for that to happen, the investors need to recoup their money. That is why this is a laudable move to create a National Roads Toll Fund to be managed under Section 24 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFM). We hope and pray that the usual stealing of public funds will not happen as has been with the other funds that have been brought forward. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, in the Standards Act, there is a re-definition of consolidators. As you are aware, there have been challenges with imports, especially small-scale importers, and the issue of counterfeit multi-agency - or whatever it is called - has literally crumbled or crippled businesses in the lower Nairobi. We hope that re-definition of importers will allow seamless importation of goods by small-scale traders to avoid a case of loss and high expenses incurred in shipping costs, insurance and the rest. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, as I conclude, two issues that seem to be very clear in our minds is the issue of Digital Services Tax. The young people seem to be very uncomfortable. The IT savvy people seem to be very uncomfortable. While it is necessary to expand the bracket of people and corporations that pay taxes to lessen the burden on any individual, there has been a continuous plea that this is a nascent economy and sector. They should be allowed a little more time to grow and understand the complexity. I am sure even KRA does not understand the complexity of that economy. It will be good for the Committee to consider delaying imposition of tax on digital economy for a few more years so that all of us can understand how it operates. As I conclude, it is important to know that Kenyans have no problem with paying taxes. They are willing to pay taxes. I remember when Hon. Mwai Kibaki became the President, we had one clarion call: Pay tax to enhance our independence. Most Kenyans are willing to pay. However, they do not see the value for the tax. As my colleagues have clearly stated, Kenyans have got no jobs. There is no enabling environment to allow them create jobs for themselves. Any measures imposed to raise revenue must be done in such a manner as to allow the expansion of the economy The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}