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{
    "id": 191965,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/191965/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 179,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Muthama",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 96,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Nduya Muthama",
        "slug": "johnson-muthama"
    },
    "content": ", who is a farmer. Farmers do not need such trucks, but they would prefer an open truck for farming activities. By waiving duty on garbage collection trucks, the Minister is only allowing the business people to buy trucks and use them in the big cities, where there are rich people who collect garbage. So, that is just for the business people. The Minister should have stated the capacity of the engine and then imposed restrictions, so that no business person would be allowed to own more than two such vehicles. There is a big loophole that allows people with money to go to the market and buy 30 or 50 vehicles, get contracts to clean cities and then make a lot of money without paying taxes. So, that is a loophole that needs to be looked into. Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, there is an issue of taxation of cigarettes and beer. Personally, I do think that there will be any pain at all when it comes to taxing smokers and alcohol takers. Those are luxury items. It is not a must that someone smokes. It is not a must that someone buys a bottle of beer or wine. The tax that the Minister put on those items should have been slightly higher, because when we talk about those who use them they should be protected, so that they do not end up taking chang'aa . There is no alcohol that is good for health. Even on cigarette packets, a warning is printed in capital letters; that smoking is harmful and destroys health. So, if the manufacturer can come out and print this message on cigarette packets, this House should be at the forefront in discouraging smoking and drinking. Mr. Temporary Chairman, Sir, it is the duty of every Kenyan to pay taxes. I am happy that my colleagues here have indicated that they are not objecting to paying taxes. I want to concur with those who have said so. I support the idea by saying that we are being vilified out there as legislators who make laws to suit themselves. We have been referred to as people who are using the powers of this House to protect ourselves. What I am trying to say is that hon. Members, June 26, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1467 starting with myself and those who have spoken before me, are ready to pay taxes, not tomorrow but yesterday. We want to be counted like any other Kenyan. We want to be like other Kenyans, and nobody should be accorded special treatment by not paying taxes. We want to pay, we need to pay and we should pay our taxes. With those few remarks, I beg to support the Motion."
}