Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 1252811,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1252811/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 219,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suna West, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Peter Masara",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Having said that, I want to correct an impression which was given by my friend, Hon. Mohammed Ali. On the mortgage that we are given as Members of Parliament (MPs), I want to state that we pay for it plus interest. It is not free money for us because it is being deducted from our salaries. Therefore, somebody should not say that tuko na ubinafsi. It is a right we have been given as Members of Parliament and we pay for it from our salaries. Hon. Speaker, I want to also correct people who have said that we cannot continue borrowing. America and Japan are very stable economies. But if we compare their GDP plus their debt portfolio, you will find that they borrow. However, they utilise their borrowing well to an extent that they give other countries their money which they have borrowed. Therefore, this country can continue borrowing, but we must utilise the money we borrow to trigger development in the economy. In doing so, the borrowing will help the economy. Hon. Speaker, Clause 28 of the Bill talks about issues to do with fuel. Fuel is a factor of production. If you increase the prices of fuel, all other things will increase. It means that those who are doing production, will increase the prices of items. I also agree with my Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee that the Budget must be financed. However, the timing is bad. As we speak, Kenyans cannot afford three meals in a day. They are taking two meals: breakfast and supper while some are taking one meal per day. Therefore, if you increase any tax, the Government is not going to realise the objective because the purchasing power has gone down. Even if you say you are paying 16 per cent, people will no longer use their vehicles. They will use matatus. That means that the vehicles will be parked at home and therefore, you will be collecting less revenue. If you read today’s Daily Nation newspaper, it is talking about the number of billionaires who have left the country because of high taxes. If we pass this Bill in entirety the way it is, too many investors, manufacturers and people who can contribute to the development of this country are going to leave this country and go and invest elsewhere. My suggestion is, the Budget must be financed. However, why must we employ a Governor who has served two terms and with a pension to be a Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS)? Why should we employ a Member of Parliament who has served three terms and with a pension to be a Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS)? Do we really need them? My proposal for this country is: let us put our priorities right and cushion the current population for the time being until the economy stabilises. I am a strong believer that we must pay taxes. People who pay taxes and in turn get development celebrate when they see what they have worked for. But if we pay taxes to pay two-term governor’s salaries, that would be injustice to the people of Kenya. If you read in front of you, “For the Welfare of the Society and the Just Government of the People” will we be really just if we overtax our people in a time when they really need us? I want to be in the right side of history that the timing is bad. Let us look for ways of financing the Budget by reducing the expenditure, sealing loopholes of corruption, putting our priorities right and we are going to finance the Budget. Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I oppose."
}