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{
    "id": 102583,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/102583/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 327,
    "type": "other",
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    "content": "We also tried to ensure that the unfairness that was in the tax system for matatu drivers and conductors is removed with a view to encouraging them to use those surpluses for bettering themselves as Kenyans. Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, there was the issue of maize. As Government, starting from the Budget that we read last year, we have instituted a number of measures aimed at encouraging our farmers through provision of seeds and fertilizers. We are aware of some of the problems that farmers are facing, especially in the Eastern and Coast Provinces of our country, with regard to poor service. Again, those are some of the reforms we are hoping to bring through. We are trying to come up with a new system of encouraging proper storage through introducing warehousing system, and introducing commodity exchange, so that farmers can be able to not only store their maize but also ensure, through commodity exchange, trade not necessarily the physical stocks but through notes, so that the farmer can be free to sell his produce as and when he or she pleases, or when the price is right for the farmer. Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, there was also an issue raised on the proposal to encourage investment. We have also, in this Budget, introduced the Business Regulation Bill, which we hope this House will pass. This is aimed at ensuring that the issue of the ad hoc way in which new licences are introduced and new fees levied is addressed. We intend to have all these issues harmonised in order to create a much friendlier environment for not only foreign investment, but also local investment and encourage creation of employment for our people. There was the issue of allocation to the agricultural sector. As I mentioned yesterday, we should not look at agriculture as the Ministry of Agriculture but rather look at agriculture as the agricultural sector. If we were to look at agriculture as the agricultural sector, one would note that we have, indeed, allocated massive amounts of money that are going towards developing our agricultural sector with full recognition of the fact that it contributes about 23 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The agricultural and wool development sectors, for example, have received Kshs3.9 billion, which is about 4 per cent of the total expenditure. If you add what we have put in water and irrigation, and in environment, you will see that we are talking about 10.3 per cent of the total expenditure, and the Kshs2.9 billion is a very small amount. This was done in full recognition of the contribution of the agricultural sector to economic growth. Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, there is also the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds and I would like to assure hon. Members that we do understand the importance of these refunds being timely. We will do everything we can to emphasize and ensure that the limits which we set are actually met by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). There are also a number of issues that were raised especially with regard to the insurance sector. I would like to say that the amendments that we proposed in the Finance Bill are not only aimed at making sure that we have fairness in the industry but also to ensure that we protect the insurance industry from the unscrupulous lawyers. These lawyers use the loopholes within the current regulations to get money from insurance companies not necessarily for the benefit of those who have had accidents."
}