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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this particular Bill. I would like to join my colleagues in thanking the Minister for Finance for the tremendous work that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has done. I am gratified that it is headed by my former classmate. In order to be free from donor conditionalities because we are able to generate our own funds is a great achievement. For that reason, I would like to continue giving my support to the idea of Electronic Tax Registers (ETRs) and encourage the Minister to look beyond the formal sector by expanding the tax base and bringing on board the many small traders and what we now call the informal sector. I believe that if only we can create an environment for them to do business such as building business parks for our so-called hawkers, who are essentially small investors and small traders, we shall not only be able to create more job opportunities through expanded opportunities for them, but also increase our tax base. November 1, 206 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3353 However, I would also like to suggest that the issue of human resource management at KRA should also be looked at. I think we have cases where excellent officers have not been treated fairly to the extent that you have a feeling that in that organisation there is some kind of intimidation going on there. Officers who have been well-trained, and have the opportunity to add to the efficiency and capacity of that institution to the extent that it can, in fact, actually offer services to other countries in the region, feel discouraged because of lack of transparency on the management of the human resource. Due process is a principle that should be encouraged in all our institutions. That does not seem to be happening at the KRA. I am making this comment, just not to criticise, but to give an opportunity for the management of KRA to make the necessary improvements. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are many reasons why we have taxation proposals. Taxation is not just for the purpose of collecting revenue. That, of course, is important. However, taxation should also be seen as an opportunity to encourage expansion of the economy by encouraging certain sectors, reducing taxation for them, encouraging them to expand and even encouraging investment. Taxation can also be used to redistribute opportunities, not necessarily income, so that there is equity in the growth and development of a society. It is equity and fair opportunity for all that, in fact, brings peace and stability in any nation. Any society that has skewed distribution of opportunities, automatically then has to experience the kind of insecurity that we are experiencing in our country. So that the attack on our persons and properties by criminals must also be seen in terms of inequity in the distribution of economic opportunities for our people. Taxation is an important and powerful tool that the Government can use in order to bring about equity and, therefore, deal with the problem of insecurity. As we increase our tax revenue, I would like to ask the Minister to come out very boldly and with courage. I heard some of my colleagues saying that we are soon going to be a donor nation. How can we be a donor nation to outsiders when our roads are in pathetic conditions? How can we be a donor nation when the supply chain of some of our key commodities is distorted completely to the extent that we are not maximising our productivity in sectors which can create employment and wealth for our people? We cannot deal with poverty unless we expand our economies through investment. So, I would like to encourage the Minister to be bold in terms of using the tax revenue collected to bring about fundamental transformation of our infrastructure, the road network, increase reach of electricity supply and putting up innovative business industrial pacts. I am convinced that Kenyans are so ingenious, hard working and creative that if the environment is right, if we can create affordable shopping malls in residential areas and our rural markets, they will take up these opportunities and invest. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we may not have oil or any minerals although we are all excited and looking forward to the outcome of the test-drilling off our shores. However, we have a human resource. Today, remittances from outside Kenya by Kenyans working abroad is a major source of foreign exchange. I would like to encourage the Minister to, in fact, create incentives for Kenyans to invest in sophisticated modern training facilities; to prepare Kenyans, the human resource that we have and improve it to export quality standard. If you look at the paramedics, there is enormous opportunities for us to export paramedical staff, engineers and doctors. However, we do not have a clear strategy and we are not making the necessary public investment in institutions of excellence to train our human resource who can then go out there, work abroad, earn income and expand our economy beyond our borders. The other day, we read about the launching of the Vision 2030, which is a product of the National Economic and Social Council. I commend this initiative! However, would it not have been wonderful even before that document was finalised, if hon. Members had the opportunity to look at it in its original draft and add value to it? I think that when you listen to hon. Members, 3354 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 1, 2006 there are very many of them who are extremely creative and resourceful. I think that an opportunity should have been availed to them to add value. We know that a number of foreign experts were invited to add value to it, but how about the resource of Kenyans themselves adding value to it, so that it could come out as a product which we could all share its ownership, so that we could truly say that it belongs to us? I appreciate His Excellency the President's statement that Vision 2030 is not his own plan, but that of the Kenyan people. However, I feel that sufficient opportunity was not given to Kenyans to contribute to it, so that they could truly share in its ownership and, therefore, in its fulfilment. Nevertheless, I commend the initiative. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, specific references have been made to several proposed amendments of Acts of Parliament."
}