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{
    "id": 1103915,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1103915/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 381,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Eng.) Hargura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 827,
        "legal_name": "Godana Hargura",
        "slug": "godana-hargura"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I would like to support this Censure Motion that was brought by the Minority Leader. First of all, the content of the Motion is very clear. The issue of rising fuel prices and electricity bills is very real and has affected Kenyans of all walks of life. The issue is in public domain. As the representatives of the citizens, this House decided to call the two Cabinet Secretaries to come and explain because they are the ones who are in charge of this docket. It was very clear that the Speaker of the Senate had directed the Committee to send invitations to the Ministers. It was very clear that they did not turn up and did not give any reason. That is why this censure Motion is here. Also looking at what is required of the Senate, we have grave concern on the unprecedented increase in fuel and electricity costs, which concern the two Cabinet Secretaries. What we wanted from them was an explanation why Kenyans are being taxed and facing the high cost of energy, which is resulting into high cost of transportation and increased food prices, a hike in electricity bills and adverse effects on other sectors of the economy. Fuel cost is mainly because of the taxes and is a product of Parliament, that is, the Energy Regulations, 2010. I do not see any reason these Ministers had a problem in coming to address Parliament and explain that there has been a hike in fuel prices because of the regulations that Parliament passed. I do not know what was so difficult about them coming to explain that. They did not come and that is why they need to be censured. Even though the issue concerns both of them, none of them sent a representative or went to the media to explain that the issue that was raised does not concern them. It is very clear that the electricity falls under the CS for Energy. If you look at the issue of fuel prices, it is very clear that the cause is taxation. A country like Uganda imports its fuel through our Port, transports it on our roads and sells it cheaper than we are selling it here. This is because of the taxation. You will find that more than 50 per cent of the cost of that fuel in taxed. There are seven levies and two taxes, which are added there and we do not even know what these taxes are used for at the end of the day. Sometimes this year, we were discussing the Roads Maintenance Levy. Funds that are taxed specifically for road maintenance have been used in the counties in equitable share. Therefore, the funds are not even going to road maintenance in some cases. The 15 per cent that goes to the counties is not used for road maintenance. On the issue of Petroleum Regulatory Levy, which has been said to be about Kshs30 billion in the last 10 months, is supposed to cushion, but it is not there. This means that it is being diverted. Therefore, there are things that these Cabinet Secretaries need to come and explain. If they do not come, then we have no other option but to censure them. The Railway Levy, the Kerosene Anti-Adulteration Levy, Petroleum Development Levy, Roads Maintenance Levy are all on levied on a litre of petrol we are buying. Therefore, there is need for the Cabinet Secretaries to come and explain this. If they do not, we have no option than to censure them. This is because it is clear that Parliament has the authority to summon them. They have a duty, in law, as per the"
}