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{
    "id": 1003294,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1003294/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 378,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Martin Owino (",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Ndhiwa, ODM): Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I really appreciate this time to contribute to this and I want to thank the Committee chaired by Hon. Limo. I do know that we are looking for money to service our Budget and we are looking for money from people, corporations and companies. However, it is true that the country is so distressed at this moment. Household income, even businesses are down. However, I want to say something here, which is a bit off from what many people have been saying. One, nobody should ever think of taxing retirees because life has majorly four quarters. Quarter one is the year one to 25; you struggle with your life and grow. You pursue education. Quarter two is 25 years to 50 years where you try to raise a family and work. Quarter three is 50 years to 75 years and that is where all these retirees fall. In that quarter it is only where people nourish; the wheel of life, diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancers and all that are found in that quarter. Therefore, you cannot ask them to pay taxes again when they have been paying all their lives. So, whoever thought about that in the National Treasury is really sick. I think the voluntary taxation is a good idea because it is going to reduce corruption or chasing people here and there causing anxieties, cat and mouse games. That is a good thing to do so that people can come voluntarily and pay their taxes which they had lapses on. Thirdly, the toll fee. Many people have alluded to this matter. It succeeds in developed countries because of the proper usage of those toll stations. Here, we have a history of toll booths where people would make their own receipts, collect money and you would never see them. So, I challenge the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning to define this properly. If it is Public-Private Partnership, then it should be defined. Is it about a government agency and a private company, or is it just a public affair? How that money should be handled must have a framework. Otherwise, we have lost money and commuters have suffered. Once you are using those structures you will have to pay directly or indirectly. The fares will go up at this time of COVID-19 after the project is finished. It will be very difficult for people to manage. The other point is on the EPZ. It is a good idea but I am not for the 2.5 per cent taxation. People buy used clothes because they are cheap even though that kills our local textile industry. This time clothing has become a secondary issue. People are crying for food and so if you put a 2 per cent tax on what you want to give them, even those who are in business will add something and the clothing which we are beautifully manufacturing in this country will be beyond their reach. So, I suggest we do 1 per cent for people to afford. The digital taxation is a good thing. When you pay for using digital platforms, the money you pay to the Government should be ploughed back to help in developing infrastructure. For example, I have opened ICT hubs in my constituency. However, the power fluctuations, the lack of internet, and the poor road networks are not supporting the idea. So, when people pay, let that payment come back to ease the cost of doing business in form of infrastructure. So, it is good, but how we use our taxes is where the problem is. I hope as we try to raise revenue, Chairman of the 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."
}