Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1126379,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1126379/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 235,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13131,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
        "slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
    },
    "content": "departments and stakeholders to enhance the fight against tax evasion and other related crimes. The Commissioner-General of the KRA was in charge of that Department before and it was working very smoothly. I do not know what has happened. I appeal to him to ensure that the ISO works within its mandate and ensures effective linkages between departments geared towards increased revenue collection. Many traders, importers and business people – whether in footwear, clothing, textile, et cetera – are affected and demurrage costs are crazy now because things are held at the customs. Pursuant to Standing Order No.47(3), I kindly urge that you refer this matter to the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget to intervene and ensure that there is strategic collaboration within the KRA, with the aim of enhancing legitimate commercial enterprises while at the same time improve on revenue collection. In a nutshell, when consignments come and go through different checks, one department has now become notorious of slowing down the process. Earlier today, I spoke to some of my traders from Kamukunji and they told me that there are 40 containers which are being held. The containers are carrying goods such as vitenge and footwear. They are just held for no apparent reason and no other department can touch them. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when the Commissioner-General was in this Department, it was working smoothly. May I ask that you assign this to the Committee on Finance and Budget because I cannot call them to the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, to see how we can unblock this. The KRA is supposed to facilitate and not impede or slow down business by Kenyans because they are paying taxes and are willing to. As I conclude, I thank the KRA and President Uhuru Kenyatta. I brought a Statement here about double taxation of footwear by importers paying about USD1 per pair and I sent the same message to the President. He immediately responded and sent me to the KRA and the National Treasury and we sorted that out. However, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it seems they are now using another route to again try and stifle that business. I do not know if somebody is acting in the interest of a certain group of Kenyans. They are stifling this and many other areas where our people, including yours, are being affected."
}