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"content": "The Minister intends to finance major programmes using taxpayersâ money. I want to thank him more sincerely for the move that he made, popularly known as the Peopleâs Budget. Therefore, it means that people must contribute to be able to have the programmes funded. Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, I would like to ask Ministers now and in the future, to be able to incorporate all Kenyans in terms of contributions towards building the nation through the taxation measures. This can be done by ensuring that the Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) are used to fish out non-taxpayers. I am talking from a background of a former taxman. You normally go back to those who are already in the tax bracket to continue paying. However, to lighten the burden for Kenyans, we need to involve all of them through the PIN system or Kenyans carrying one identification number to contribute to the Exchequer. The Minister moved not to punish Kenyans through high taxes. That was a welcome move given the current economic hard times. It is also important to note that beyond the move that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance made about the fiscal policy and programmes, as the leadership, we need to spur development by pronouncing positive issues about our country. It is also true that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, among other things, intends to promote tourism. However, that can go as far as it is mentioned. How are we affecting tourism by our utterances both in public and through the media and in terms of our differences by trying to settle political scores including the note that has been circulating in this House that has sent a chilling feeling in peopleâs spine, especially those who intend to come to this country? If leaders are not secure, then technically, any guest may feel insecure. Beyond the fiscal measures which the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance has come up with, which we support; of promoting the growth of our tourism industry, there has to be good pronouncements from us. Our conduct and patriotism has to be seen in the international community so that we can attract international investors. It is true that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance tried to encourage the development of ICT given that the fiber optic cable is coming. This will go a long way to decongest our towns by availing ICT terminals in other major cities and towns and reduce the wastage which occurs in terms of traffic jams and time wasted. The man hours we waste in our congested cities are quite immeasurable. You will agree with me that Nairobi is quite unmanageable with the kind of congestion that we have. Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance also touched on the issue of availing banking services to the people. This is critical because most Government funding is going through some particular satellite banks. However, in some areas, there are no banking facilities and I think the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, in his wisdom, has catered for this. That is the more reason why we need to support him. Of critical importance is the investment allowance that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance talked about which was quite encouraging. The problem is that no one will invest in their rural setting if there are no good roads. In my opinion, I think we need to direct more attention to infrastructure so that we can have more investors establishing businesses in the rural areas and, therefore, decongest our cities. Again, most Kenyans have their rural homes. However, you will find many Kenyans coming to live in towns under dehumanizing circumstances simply because jobs are found in towns. They end up living in ghettos while they have good homes in their rural areas. Therefore, I think this was a wise move. From a taxmanâs point of view, I will ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance to ensure that the reductions he made on the tax measures are transferred to the people"
}