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{
    "id": 1129222,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1129222/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 18,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "indicating what was expected how the rates of infection were going, what to be avoided and the issue of face masks. Curfews initially were difficult. However, now looking back, probably that was one of the actions that saved this country. Through the curfews, people were able to be contained and to be in the right places at the right time. This was also added by H.E the President that despite the curfew now having been removed, we are not yet out of the woods. We need to continue practicing those practices that are needed such as using sanitizer, face masks and other measures as part of something which is needed. There was the issue of the first stimulus package. It was announced that they gave interventions that added into taxes. For example, there was the Kshs176 billion that was given by the Exchequer and various tax measures were put into place. There was the immediate reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT), for example, from 16 per cent to 14 per cent, 100 per cent tax relief, reduction of Pay as You Earn (PAYE) from 30-25 per cent, therefore, reducing the load of expectations of taxes from Kenyans. There was the lowering of cash reserve ratio from 4.25 - 5.22 per cent. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) also provided flexibility to banks with regards to requirements and loan application. Some loans were readjusted so that people would cope. There was temporary suspension of listing from Credit Reference Bureaus (CRB). These among others just gave the financial aspect of things that were read out by H.E the President in terms of how financial issues were addressed and put into place. One of the issues that has come as a result of this and we have seen it being advertised everywhere, is “Buy Kenya Build Kenya” just as a policy. This is one very important way as we manufacture and continue to industrialize. When you leave the country travel around you found so many of our items. These include coffee, tea, leso, the kitenge and the kiondoo which are out there. The other time we talked about the need to patent and more importantly, the need to identify with these. For a long time, many people in many programmes, especially in the textile area have been saying, “let us produce what is ours, market and use it effectively.” More important, even when it comes to tourist packages, we need to be able to do that. In this report, this programme also increased gainful engagement on employment to over 750,000 youths who were engaged in improvements on environment, hygiene and on various issues that are very key. Mr. Speaker, Sir, one of the issues that has ravaged this country and other developing countries, as we know, is the issue of unemployment; the need for our young Kenyans to be able to be gainfully employed. One way we can actually increase employment over time and keep everybody on toes is through this particular initiative of Buy Kenya Build Kenya. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other which is very critical is the whole sector of enterprises; may they be small, medium or micro enterprises. We need to infuse money into the businesses to enable them to grow. We are an industrialising country. We are not there yet, but through efforts that are made in terms of this sector, then we are able to really grow. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}