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{
    "id": 1441705,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1441705/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 451,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kinangop, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Kwenya Thuku",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13380,
        "legal_name": "Zachary Kwenya Thuku",
        "slug": "zachary-kwenya-thuku"
    },
    "content": " Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on this very important Finance Bill. At the outset, I support the recommendations by the Committee on the areas they want to firm up and bring amendments so that they are in tandem with the realities that we face in this country. Of course, we have had a serious public outcry, some that we were misled and misinformed. As Members of Parliament, we have a responsibility to do nothing but to tell our people the truth regarding our role. At the outset, the Finance Bill is about the proposals by the National Treasury on how they want to raise money so that our Budget can be financed. The Finance Bill, as presented by the National Treasury, is not cast in stone. Therefore, this House has a responsibility to enrich and remove areas that we feel are not favourable to our people. As the Member of Parliament for Kinangop, I am happy that this area of concern has been addressed. We are opening up our boundaries to our neighbours who are Members of the East African Community, exempting agricultural imports to come to this country to compete with our local production. I am happy with the Committee's Report recommending that the same be reinstated so that any importation from the East African Community, especially potatoes, must have a duty. This will ensure that we do not subject our farmers to unfair competition because some neighbouring countries enjoy competitive and comparative advantages. Potato production in one of our neighbouring countries is low, but they have a good climate, which we do not have. Therefore, subjecting Kenyan farmers to the same level as our neighbours is killing them. I want to say emphatically that I am grateful that the Committee found it worthy to reinstate that levy."
}