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{
    "id": 1254488,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1254488/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 241,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kikuyu, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Government institutions. We are not speaking about this provision, but it is easier to vilify this Bill! It is easier to sell lies and propaganda like those I have heard in Kiambu County. There are lies being told that even the ndoo that carries milk will be taxed. They are not telling people that there are incentives for local chocolate manufacturers who use milk. That milk will come from farmers in Githunguri, Kiambu or Limuru. It is easier to sell lies. Allow me to support this Bill with nothing but the truth that is contained in it. As I conclude, I want to speak to the people of Kenya. You have been told many things that are untrue about this Bill. I want to assure you that should this House approve this Bill together with the amendments being proposed by the Committee, you will see many benefits. You will not be hurt as those who lie to you and vilify this Bill have made you to believe. You will come to see that it is only for your good. This is because we are here to represent you and act in the best interest of the people. We are not directed by any other interests other than the interest to raise our economy from where it was left by the “handshake regime” and those who were there before us. Knowing and appreciating what has been said, we have two choices: To either raise the taxes from the people of Kenya and finance the expenditures that we all approved here last night, or go out and borrow. We said and committed as Kenya Kwanza Government that we shall not sink this country into a deeper economic hole by borrowing more. We shall be innovative. We will tap into new tax areas, like the digital economy. I appreciate the Committee has brought the tax on digital content earnings from 15 per cent to 5 per cent. There are also digital assets like the crypto- currencies that are not being taxed. We are tapping into those things so as to raise more taxes and expand the tax base. Finally, let us not lie to Kenyans. If there are people who will pay more out of these tax measures, then it is the rich who are earning Ksh500,000 and above. They will pay more in terms of PAYE. The other things that have been said about hair products, as I mentioned, are all in the past. The hustlers in the kinyozis and salons are protected by the Committee. Therefore, let us not vilify that which is good just for political expedience. Borrowing the words of my brother, Hon. David Ochieng’. Let us be patriotic enough. If the housing levy in the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance Manifesto was a good thing, then it is also a good thing that Kenya Kwanza is implementing. If it was a good thing not to over-borrow in the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance Manifesto, then it is also a good thing for the Kenya Kwanza Government not to over-borrow but to raise taxes and revenue in order to make our country more sustainable and economically independent."
}