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{
    "id": 1072498,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1072498/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 165,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Eng.) Harguara",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like to support the Statement by Sen. Khaniri. Other than having the roads, the most important thing is having vehicles moving on the roads and vehicles run on fuel. The cost of fuel has been rising and is not commensurate with the pricing of crude oil. We have been having cases where the price of crude oil rises from the point of production and the next day, we would hear the price of fuel has increased in Kenya while we know very well at that time the crude oil which is within the country is not of that particular consignment. However, when the prices go down internationally, even as low as they have gone sometimes back, that drop is not there or commensurate. Recently, when there was a human cry as to the increase in cost of fuel, there was a brief moment for that cost and you realise that most of these are taxes by the Kenyan Government and not the cost of fuel and pumping. I think the Kenya Government should be sensitive and reduce the taxes. More than 50 per cent of the cost of fuel per litre is actually taxes by the Kenyan Government. They need to reduce that because they only tax a lot and it affects the cost of living of Kenyans. This negates the purpose of tax because the Government is supposed to facilitate so that the normal mwananchi or the ordinary citizen can, on their own, contribute to the development of the economy. When you look at the transport sector, right now, there is the issue of COVID-19 where the vehicles are carrying 60 per cent of the capacity and the cost of fuel has increased. It does not matter whether it is 100 per cent capacity, still the vehicle will need fuel to move from one point to another. That will mean more cost to the operator, which is transferred to the common mwananchi who is using that mode of transportation to move from one point to another. There must be a very clear way of making sure that this price of fuel does not just escalate like that. Anytime there is change in fuel prices in terms of the crude oil, the Government needs to look at its own tax regime, so that it can cushion the public by reducing its tax margin. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I support that Statement and urge the relevant Committee to task the authority dealing with price of fuel. People are trying to improve"
}