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{
    "id": 1232731,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1232731/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 152,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Maanzo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13589,
        "legal_name": "Maanzo Daniel Kitonga",
        "slug": "maanzo-daniel-kitonga"
    },
    "content": "place, such that you pay for parking. There are many other services from which we can raise revenue. However, they must be automated and digitized. Probably, we should use modern technology such M-Pesa to make payments. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other issue is on land rates. Counties own a lot of land, where people have plots. If all these revenues are collected, I am sure counties will meet their expectations. For them to be able to put these systems in place, we must fund them under the Division of Revenue Bill, so that governors can re-organize themselves to make this investment and improve on their OSR collections. We should even sensitize Kenyans on the need to pay the rates and all these charges and taxes at the county level, in order to raise money. Quite a number of businesses are running in counties but revenue is not collected from them. This systematically affects collection of OSR. The Government has to be serious. There have been many promises and do not blame maandamano. Maandamano are perfectly within the law. They can be peaceful and they can send a message. It has happened all over the world. In fact, maandamano have even developed to revolutions, when the Government does not listen to the people. The latest maandamano in France, had 70 per cent participation of the citizens. The Government of France had to listen to what the citizens were saying. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is no need to amend or suspend the Constitution. It is only that people have to be responsible enough so that a message can be passed. We cannot blame that on ability of the Government to raise revenue. The Government has to be serious. We are losing money through corruption. There is no proper strategy on how to deal with corruption in this country. We have not seen devolution of anti-corruption services to counties. The structures have to be strengthened, so that corruption is checked from counties to the national Government. That will make sure that we have enough money to perform our function. Kenyans need to be honest and honorable enough to conduct business without shortcuts. People push for payments when they have not done the projects to the expected standards. You will find that a road has not been constructed in line with the specifications of the Bill of Quantities (BQs); but somebody still finds a way to be paid for services not rendered. This is where the country is losing money. I am very sure, if the current Government wants to stop corruption, it can stop it. It has the goodwill and mechanism. There seems to be laxity. They allow cartels to penetrate the system and all our taxes end up in the pockets of a few people. The money that is lost could instead be used to develop the country and business and also offer support to tourism. Tourism in Kenya raises a lot of revenue. When we have a peaceful Government, where there is debate and bipartisan agreement on the best way forward, then we can have fair systems for everybody. Mr. Speaker, Sir, if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is an issue, let us agree that it is an issue. Where we make an error, let us agree it"
}