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{
    "id": 1348127,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1348127/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 261,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Emgwen, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Josses Lelmengit",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you. I rise to support this Bill on controlling gambling. Whereas we consider it a very lucrative and relaxing business whenever you gamble and win, it has also adversely wiped our young generation away. Gambling has adversely affected our youthful generation. I have looked through the Bill and I commend several clauses. I have an objection I thought the Committee should look into. It concerns gambling security. For example, I feel that Ksh200 million is too much for new ventures or start-ups. We could still have opportunities for other start-ups if we reduce the price. With this amount as security, we are leaving this venture for the moneyed people only. Most of them are international companies that reap a lot of money from our youthful generations and Kenyans. Secondly, the tax rate in the US is around 24 per cent while this Bill suggests 15 per cent. Gambling is not hard-earned cash; it is soft-earned cash. I thought that 24 per cent or anything above that should be taxed here. The rest of the money in that 24 per cent should go back to the Government and other investments. The Government acts only as a buffer zone for those who are devastated, depressed and misled by gambling. I thought increasing the percentage rate on the tax would even be better. Thirdly, I suggest that we stagger the tax rate based on gross income. Companies that get close to about Ksh1 billion should give a higher percentage like 50 per cent. We could give up to 15 per cent to those who have less gross income. That is my suggestion. The way we tax the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is a similar case we need to do for these companies. Last are the mitigations these companies are putting forward so that they, at least, mitigate for the youth, depressed gamblers who have lost hope. Gambling is two-way. I am talking about the adverse effects of gambling. What mitigations have these companies put forward? I thought these mitigations must be included in this Bill to create psycho-social support desks to mitigate effects. We have heard of many depression and suicide cases where someone has gambled, and lost all the money from selling land or loans. Gambling takes all the money just like that. Finally, Hon. Temporary Speaker, we have lost a generation which is idle or does not have anything to do. The only easy way is to gamble. I urge our youth out there not to gamble with their lives. It is not a good thing. It is not considered a sin in the Bible. However, its adverse effects, especially when you lose, are devastating. I urge our youth to get involved in better ways of building the economy. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}