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{
    "id": 1588064,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588064/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1146,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Alego Usonga, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Samuel Atandi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Let me also join my colleagues in appreciating the competence and the leadership of the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, my brother, CPAK Kimani Kuria, who has ably led it since we joined this Parliament. For the first time, we have a Finance Bill that is not controversial. This is largely due to how the Committee executed its responsibilities in listening to the public. I must also extend appreciation to the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, who went out of his way to educate Kenyans on the contents of the Finance Bill during this cycle. You will recall that during the public participation forums organised by the National Treasury, there were instances where the Cabinet Secretary had to explain to Kenyans who had been misinformed by opponents of the broad-based Government. The narrative being spread was that the Bill would result in massive taxation, including taxes that do not even exist. Kenyans were being led to believe otherwise. I thank both the National Treasury and the Chairman and Members of the Committee for their coordinated efforts. Even when it appeared that we disagreed on the Floor of the House, we were simply testing our levels of understanding of the Bill’s contents. Going forward, we have resolved that both the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and the Budget and Appropriation Committee will work collaboratively to interpret the proposals in the Finance Bill and the Estimates. This cooperation will ensure harmony in the two critical pieces of legislation, all for the benefit of the Kenyan people. We all want Kenya to prosper, and we all desire to see our country grow. Therefore, I laud the Committee and thank the Members of this House who are still present and who have actively participated. As we move into the next session, where we shall begin deliberations on the final two Bills, the Appropriation Bill and the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill, I also urge Members to remain seated, so that we may collectively complete debate on these two very important components of our budget process. Thank you."
}