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{
"id": 1120827,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1120827/?format=api",
"text_counter": 276,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
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"content": "However, the bigger challenge and question that we need to be asking this afternoon is because the people of Kenya will turn back to us and say, ‘yes, we may have heard of Hon. Munyes and we know Hon. Keter, but those are not the people that we elected. The person that we elected to take care of this Republic is President Uhuru Kenyatta.’ As a time such as this when the whole nation is up in arms speaking about this issue of fuel, he knows very well that the economy is being ravaged by the effects of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and general mismanagement of this economy under his leadership. He should at least have spoken. Say something and assure people that your Government is reviewing downwards because, first, it is within his power. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, secondly, even we, as Parliament, and I have listened about this whole debate either we are guilty or not so guilty about it--- However, the truth of the matter is that we need to get deep down of this issue once we have settled the issue of CSs appearing before this House. Many of our colleagues have spoken about something, and I wish Sen. Sakaja was here. He mentioned the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL), but the figures he gave are not accurate. I have it on firm authority that PDL for the last ten months alone is Kshs35 billion. That money for the last two months has not been released to EPRA for them to stabilise the price of petrol, as was the true intention when we passed that legislation. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we need, and I agree with Sen. Wako when he spoke--- I hope that Members of this Committee, who are here--- When the two CSs come, you must still invite the CS for Finance Hon. Ukur Yatani and question him about the PDL. Why has it not been released to EPRA? If that money has been used to pay debt, like every other money that is available right now, let it be known. The truth of the matter is that when we came up with all these forms of levies, we expected that a responsible administration will take that amount of money and use it for the intention that it was meant for. Unfortunately, you know the sad thing that we have come to realise about this administration is that when it comes to handling money, they are worse than a teenager addicted to gambling. They cannot spare it for more than a day. It is unfortunate, it is shameful, but we must say it as it is. I appreciate the work that we are doing. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I spoke here yesterday and said we must address the cost of power. It is not just about power, my colleague, Senators. This is about the livelihoods of Kenyans. The minute you increase power, it means you increase virtually every cost of the basic goods that are available to the citizens. It means even the cost of power itself and true to itself Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has already issued a notice. They are always quick issuing these notices. This speaks to the issue of unemployment. The reason why businesses can no longer set up in Kenya is because it is extremely impossible to set up any industry in this republic as compared to the rest of the countries in the region. It is simply because of the cost of power. That is why when we spoke on that day, the reason why we are also looking for the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to come and answer is because of the cost of power."
}