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{
    "id": 1511314,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1511314/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 390,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Joseph Makilap (",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "kind of excise duty on imported products. It became clear that we should not create a monopoly but create a friendly business environment. In Finance Bill, 2023, we tried to impose high taxes on imported products being used to make cement. The consequence was, because there was only one manufacturer in Kenya, loss of revenue. We agreed this time around to make it fair for Kenyans, and we listened to them. On this particular one, our Committee resolved to delete some of the proposals that will come to the Floor so that we build and that we help people in the construction industry. The Kenya Kwanza administration is embarking on a massive affordable housing project. We should not be increasing tax on the products that will be used to do the housing project at the same time want to have affordable housing. It will be a contradiction of its own kind. To ensure that the prices of the affordable houses remain the same, we must ensure that the prices of materials used do not rise at any time so that this country and the vision of the President of building enough affordable housing throughout the Republic of Kenya becomes a reality and the houses become even much cheaper to construct. That proposal that will be moved by the Committee at the right time is meant to protect the business environment and not to drive many people out of business by protecting a monopoly. We looked at the proposal and business people with a turnover of less than Ksh5 million per year will be classified under small businesses. We, therefore, removed them from the e-TIMS) integration and provided them with what is called a reverse invoice. Turnover of Ksh5 million is not a lot of money. These are the mama mbogas and boda bodas. If we do not protect them, then we shall have crippled the local economy in our villages and towns. This means we protect the businesspeople in this particular country. On what the Leader of the Majority Party and my Chairman said about Jumia and what is called Digital Service Tax, if that was allowed to go through, what could have happened? It means we will be taxing people within a certain perimeter that is served by the internet and those who sell phones in that platform. That means that when they move outside that area, they are not charged. This will create a tax regime that is discriminatory where people outside a certain perimeter are allowed to enjoy selling their products, but when they go to another confined area, they are taxed. That is what is called discrimination in doing business. Many things have been said including the VAT on helicopters and spacecraft. This is a very volatile area that we must protect. If we make it expensive, someone will pay a pilot maybe Ksh200,000 to fly to Entebbe, do the repairs, and come back to Kenya. Who will have lost business? Kenya."
}