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{
    "id": 1495096,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495096/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 222,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda, SC",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "We must do all that we must within the region, with arabophobes, francophones, anglophones and the lusophones to ensure that this seat comes home. It is our collective effort and we all know what the President is doing. The President is resolute in his support for the Rt. hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. I, therefore, encourage Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. I would like to speak to the National Rating Bill (National Assembly Bills No.55 of 2022) and the Mediation Report that has been submitted by the hon. Beatrice Akinyi this evening. The Mediation Committee under Standing Orders No.149 and of the National Assembly, Standing Orders No.166 of the Senate and Articles of 112 and 113 of the Constitution did consider the various issues. I am glad to say that under the previous Rating Act, Cap.266 and the Valuation for Rating Act, Cap.267, we had a framework for valuation of property, which allowed limited time for objections. It is true when Sen. Cherarkey says that some of the properties were valued long ago and it is because of that variance in time that many property owners have found themselves on the receiving end. When the Rating Act and the Evaluation for Rating Act have adopted a framework that has increased taxes in certain areas up to 100 per cent, you find that in certain cities - because I know that many counties have tried to revise rates, rates have jumped from even Kshs10,000 to Kshs1 million That is why, as I said, the time frame under the previous Cap.166 and Cap.167 have provided that the framework proposed in the National Rating Act, by appointing a central authority that will only receive approval through the Cabinet Secretary, is welcome. Secondly, the creation of a CVC to receive objections and the 60-day period that is contemplated in the new revised law also is welcome. It will give owners of rateable property sufficient time to object and engage with the process of increasing rates. A 60- day period that is proposed is sufficient time for objections to be made and for an attempt to be made by the CECM Lands or CECM Finance for the county under the new framework and for the party objecting to appeal to the tribunal. The tribunal also creates a framework for fair administrative justice in conformity with Article 47 of the Constitution. I wholly support the proposals by Sen. Beatrice Akinyi’s Committee that was chaired by Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Nyamoko, who chairs the Lands Committee in the National Assembly, and Sen. John Methu, who chairs the Senate Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources. The other aspect that I support, and I must state this, is that the Chief Government Valuer, as proposed, though I see the qualifications are a basic degree, I would have preferred that an additional requirement is made to the proposed Section 24(b) and not just a basic degree in land economics. I would have expected not just membership of the Institute of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK), but a higher qualification so that the 15-year experience as set out is considered in addition to other experiences or other qualifications that would ensure that the Chief Government Valuer is an individual who will deliver professionally, as has been spoken to previously. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}