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{
    "id": 1120635,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1120635/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 84,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Orengo",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Minority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 129,
        "legal_name": "Aggrey James Orengo",
        "slug": "james-orengo"
    },
    "content": "I had to look for all sorts of literature available from official sources and publications from all over the world up this morning. It demonstrates that the cost of fuel in Kenya in relation to other countries is extremely high. The communication made by EPRA itself, categorized our fuel as one of the most expensive on the continent. I cannot believe why the cost of fuel in Kenya should be higher than Uganda. There must be some explanation for that. In fact, on this matter, all these publications agree--- The comparison leaves out oil producing countries, which are quite a number in Africa including Nigeria and Angola, whose fuel cost is lower in comparison to Kenya. I would not understand why the cost of fuel in a country such as Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which is experiencing a lot of problems are better than those in Kenya. I know DRC has a small enclave Cabinda, where there is oil. However, that oil enclave is perpetually in a state of insurrection. Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Uganda and Cameroon. Kenya stands at about number 30 from the list of African countries in terms of cost of fuel. That requires some kind of explanation. I am glad that the Cabinet Secretary in charge of petroleum in one of his interactions with Parliament, hon. Munyes, is quoted urging Parliament to review taxation on petroleum as the best option of cushioning consumers from the rising cost of energy. Hon. Munyes did not talk about the pandemic. He said that it is Parliament that has got that responsibility. Parliament does what it is always required to do under the law; it gives the Cabinet Secretary or the regulatory authority some discretion. However, the discretion must be applied in a manner that does not cause unhappiness or unnecessary burden on the people. Why would the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) in the current circumstance increase the cost of fuel? It is not because of legislation. The power they were given as a regulatory authority must be administered in a way that takes into consideration the condition of the ordinary Kenyans. I must say that I agree with the National Assembly this time round. Arising out of the proceeding yesterday, by the direction of the Speaker, the Committee on Finance of the National Assembly was tasked to come up with a legislation on how to deal with the rising cost of fuel. The last time that the question of petroleum levy and VAT was brought to the House, we made make noise as a House. However, we did not have the tools with which to make an intervention. I would like to conclude by stating that in the United States of America (USA), the powers of the Senate came over time. The kind of sibling rivalry between the two Houses was there in the United States of America (USA) as it is here now. Most of the powers, including budget making were with the House of Representatives. However, over time, they realized that if the Senate is included in some of these issues including the process of budget making, then you are better off than dealing with it as one Chamber. If taxes are increased, it affects the counties without a doubt. I do not see any reason why the Senate should not be involved. Similarly, if taxes are reduced, the counties will be affected. When it comes to the national revenue where we have an entry point of determination of the share horizontally between the national Government and county governments that we have some role to play. The most important duty of any"
}