Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1003277,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1003277/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 361,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kipipiri, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Amos Kimunya",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I want to congratulate the Committee for a job well done. When you look at the proposals from the National Treasury, and the list of the stakeholders who appeared within the report, and the diversity of views, to get the balance right is no mean task. I want to congratulate the Committee for striking that balance in terms of saying that we can live with this, and this, we cannot live without. I believe the stakeholders will understand for now. I am also very happy, as I listen to my colleagues and read the report, because there are some two pet projects that I was partly responsible for introducing into law; non-taxation of pensioners in 2007. In 2016, some provisions were added. For some reason, I am not sure who gave the impression to the National Treasury that they can now go back in 2020 to say that those who have been enjoying that benefit after working so hard for the country should be taxed. That is totally misinformed. I am glad that the Committee has proposed to delete it and we shall be here to support. Similarly, on the issue of maize flour, we all know the sensitivity around it, and I am glad that the proposed amendment to Clause 12 will return that matter to status quo . My other pet project was on the CSR projects. It happens everywhere; in the USA, whatever you donate to charity, you can claim tax rebate on it. Around 2007, we did extensive consultations that anyone who constructs public projects can recoup that money through taxation. This was to encourage foundations such as Safaricom, Chandaria and other companies to invest in public social projects rather than having to give tax and waiting for the Government to do those projects. This encouraged quite a number of them to do that. The National Treasury is saying from now onwards they are not going to do it. They are basically saying that they have had enough of the private sector investing in social work. That, everyone should pay tax then the Government will do it. That does not help. I am glad the Committee is saying we maintain the status quo. That brings in to question the issue of “we need money”. Somebody is being lazy at the National Treasury. He looked and said KRA can remove these exemptions to raise money without looking at why it introduced in the first instance. Has the rationale changed? If it has not changed, then 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."
}