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{
    "id": 1511359,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1511359/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 435,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Buuri, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mugambi Rindikiri",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Kenyans must know that we cannot exist alone. We need to compare ourselves with other countries, in terms of taxation. We are at 14.5 per cent. Other countries are at 18 per cent, 17 per cent and 20 per cent. We are not badly off. Through this public participation, I saw Chairman trying to explain the importance of increasing our tax volume compared to GDP like other countries. We do not need to spend too much time on this. The digital economy is expanding. That is where many young people are, and it is also where a lot of employment opportunities are being created. Therefore, what this Committee has deliberated on is that we should not impose taxes on telephone and internet data. Another issue I have noted is the need to encourage local production and enhance our industries. It is not right for anyone to import tiles when we have the capacity for local production. Similarly, whenever we try to impose tax on imported furniture, there are some people who still have appetite for imported items. I hope and believe that through this Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 47 of 2024) and public participation, people now understand why we are discouraging imports by imposing higher taxes on them, so that we can enhance local productivity. With those few remarks, I once again thank the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and its Chairman. Kenyans now understand better our expectations regarding tax. I support."
}