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{
    "id": 180106,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/180106/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 260,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Michuki",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 183,
        "legal_name": "John Njoroge Michuki",
        "slug": "john-michuki"
    },
    "content": " Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me time to respond to various comments that have been made on this Bill, particularly in relation to the fact that, as Members of Parliament may have noted, there are very few taxation measures. Indeed, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the issues raised in the Bill are more of reform proposals rather than any fiscal or budgetary legal plans. I want to thank the House for its understanding of the way forward. It is because of such reports that we have brought before the House on issues such as the capital market, certain procedural aspects in the banking system and the VAT deductions on essential foods. The Government has no intention of placing a huge burden on the taxpayers. That is why most of the revenue accrues from indirect taxation. The rate of direct taxation, which is, Income Tax, has come down considerably over the years. It will come down further as the economy grows. This is because we want to encourage citizens. In addition to contributing to the general welfare of the population of Kenya, they should also build themselves in terms of their capability to participate in this economy. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, therefore, the amendments that I referred to yesterday are going to be brought here. I want hon. Members to take me seriously because I do not take things in vain. At the same time, it is important to point out that we need a little bit to study the laws that have exempted hon. Members from taxation as far as their allowances are concerned. This law came about with Kenya's Independence. There must have been some history which must be revisited. Similarly, the issue of constitutional offices where the allowances are exempt from taxation. It is not a very big deal. Some newspapers have said that the Treasury was going to raise Kshs2 billion from that. It is not true. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would wish they consult me before they alarm the public. The figure involved, and I hope it will be properly noted, is Kshs600 million. But the issue is not over because this is not the first and final Budget. We shall continue to examine possibilities November 12, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3441 of how to bring fairness into our taxation system. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to move."
}