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{
    "id": 1268110,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1268110/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 67,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ugunja, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Opiyo Wandayi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, let me just make a few comments on this Motion. I take note of the fact that it is coming shortly after the forceful passage of the Finance Bill, 2023. Hon. Speaker, in principle, trying to look for areas to get additional taxes is not a bad thing, especially these areas that have previously not been exploited like the electronic, internet and digital market places. It is a good thing. How I wish this kind of thinking informed the drafting of the now ill-fated Finance Bill, 2023. This is because any Government that is considerate of the plight of its people must think twice before bringing on board or before effecting additional taxes on the people. It makes much more sense trying to look for areas which have previously not been taxed, and then tax them, as opposed to continually adding more and more taxes on an already overburdened populace. This should have been the best approach, rather than doubling the VAT on fuel yet you have got other areas which you could have explored like you are attempting to do with this regulation now. This is my point. In future, the mandarins in this Government should be more considerate towards the plight of the ordinary mwananchi, who is suffering under the burden of taxes. I am also saddened to note that even as we debate this… You know that we live in a country that is governed by the rule of law. One of the cardinal principles, indeed, values under Article 3 of the Constitution, is that every citizen is under an obligation to respect the Constitution and enabling laws. It is, therefore, a saddening moment that this House can be sitting this afternoon to discuss among other things, new measures to raise taxes when the Government has blatantly disobeyed express court orders which suspended the operationalisation of the Finance Act, 2023. It is, indeed, a very sad day that we are seated here talking normally as if things are normal. What message are we sending to the people? What message are we sending to the international community? What message are we sending to possible future investors in this country if a whole Government can blatantly disregard an express court order? By now I would have expected the Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, my good friend, to have invited the Attorney-General here to explain to the Kenyan people, through their representatives in this House, why the Government has refused to obey an express court order which suspended the operationalisation of the Finance Act, 2023. As we sit here, Kenyans are being charged extra taxes when they buy fuel: a taxation which is outrightly unconstitutional and illegal based on the express court order. What example are you people in Kenya Kwanza Government showing the world? What example are you showing us?"
}