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{
    "id": 1102483,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1102483/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 52,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kipipiri, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Amos Kimunya",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": "it. At the next review, there could be possibilities of reintroducing some subsidy to cushion on a temporary basis while watching the global prices and the foreign exchange rate movement. I would like them to look at this and also the impact on roads maintenance programme. Each of the constituencies through the Constituency Roads Committee have a certain budget already allocated to them for maintenance of their roads from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund. If we make any adjustments to the fuel levy, it means that the Kenya Roads Board will obviously receive less and every constituency will be allocated less money for maintenance of roads. The choice then has to be between driving on a dilapidated road and having cheaper fuel or having expensive fuel and a smoother road. These are issues that I am asking the Committee to consider, and as we move forward, perhaps, they should look at the trends in other countries towards changing the energy mix. Progressively, it has become that fossil fuels are not sustainable and there is a drive towards electric cars and bicycles. This is happening even in Pakistan and Japan. Why can we not do this in Kenya? What policy incentives do we need, for example, to convert the two million motorbikes currently using fuel to battery power as is happening in Pakistan? The cost of a motorbike is exactly the same, but the operational costs are at 25 per cent. Perhaps, the Committee should look through all these things, so that we do not look at a temporary situation with temporary solutions, but get a long-term solution because as long as the world continues demanding oil, the prices will continue rising. As long as the geopolitics within the other nations are the way they are, oil production will still be a challenge. By getting the right energy mix, we will shield our people especially the boda boda riders and farmers from the escalation going forward. I just want to throw these issues to the Committee to consider, so that Parliament is not blamed for having passed VAT or the Government for executing what we passed as Parliament. I am looking forward in terms of other options to shield Kenyans from this global phenomenon. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}