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{
    "id": 1038005,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1038005/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 407,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Garissa Township, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Aden Duale",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I want to ask Hon. T.J. Kajwang, my very good friend, that when he sees Hon. Millie, you and I seated here are on matters we have researched. So we really want to add value, therefore, do not gag us. What is double taxation? Double taxation in layman’s language is levying of tax by two different jurisdictions or countries. In this case we are talking about income tax, capital tax and cess tax. The meaning of double taxation is when countries engage each other. The principle benefit to those two nations is to discourage or not threaten any cross border trade between them. Also, to allow the free flow of international trade and investment since this is the core. For most countries to increase international trade and investment they want to reduce or avoid internal double taxation on income, property or assets. An exemption from tax payment or reduced tax on respective payments is why you introduce double taxation, or some incomes are being taxed by two different countries. I do not agree, unless we amend the Ratification Act, as of now, which is domiciled at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and since, we are dealing with matters of finance and taxation which are under the National Treasury... This is not that easy unless an amendment is done to the principal Act. Let us be very honest, we have serious tax regimes within the East African Community, the common East Africa tariffs. The question that this House must ask itself is: Has this been implemented? Is this working in favour of our business people in our companies? For example, unilaterally, Tanzania does not allow some Kenyan companies to operate. Farmers’ Choice is one of them and many others. How do they deal with this? They bring other difficult, anti-business, internal regulations to that country, but at the top of it we have the East African Community (EAC) common tariffs. Before we even do with Mauritius and other countries, we need first to see how we are faring within the tax regime of the EAC and the tax regime within the COMESA. It is very sad and Kenyans will agree with me that in terms of budget, business and investment, Kenya is a big brother within the region. By offering and having a common tariff within our neighbours, Kenya should have gained. Go to Namanga here and count the trucks that are coming from Tanzania and compare them with the trucks that are leaving Kenya crossing the border. That itself will tell you that the environment is more attractive for Kenya. Finally, sometime double taxation is signed between countries to favour one or two big corporations where maybe certain people have an interest. When we do double taxation, it should cover across the board, but you do not just form a double taxation because certain people somewhere have an interest on a business between the two countries. I think the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning will need to find out. That is why they said we need to go into detail and look at the reasons that are making..."
}