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"speaker_name": "Prof. Saitoti",
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"legal_name": "George Muthengi Kinuthia Saitoti",
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"content": "Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to make my contribution to this very important Bill. It is true that this Bill is very important. This is the Bill that formally and legally entrenches the measures announced by the Minister for Finance during his Budget Speech. If this Bill is not passed by 31st, December, there would be a very serious problem as far as revenue collection is concerned. I think it is appropriate to commend the Minister for Finance. First of all, the Budget that he presented way back in June demonstrated a very clear sensitivity to the welfare of Kenyans. Several tax reliefs were offered to Kenyans. But much more important were the other measures that were announced to boost the economy of this country. Indeed, we have seen a great deal of improvement as far as revenue collection is concerned. The increase in revenue collection has had a very positive effect on the economy of this country. Rather than the Minister floating other monetary instruments to raise expensive money in the market, he has depended on the revenue generated to finance Government projects. The Minister deserves commendation for the manner in which he has handled an extremely difficult Ministry. I speak from hindsight and experience. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, to be in a position to ensure that substantial resources are being mobilised domestically is an important step in our developing country. That is because several other developing countries are forced to rely on external in-flows like donor assistance, grants and loans. Indeed, if one looks at many economies, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, a number of them are not able to finance their Recurrent Expenditure. I do not want to mention 3248 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES October 31, 2006 names. But a number of our neighbouring countries have continuously depended on external grants to finance their Recurrent Expenditure, including the salaries of their civil servants. It is a great step and achievement. Because of the good performance on revenue collection today, this country is able to pay salaries of all civil servants and officers in the Armed Forces. But much more important, it has been able to have resources - which are domestically generated - to finance projects. That includes the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF). Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the CDF is an important vehicle for development in terms of trickle-down effect. The resources that we have through the CDF have been generated internally. They are not borrowed. That is an important thing. So, when we talk about the achievements that we have made as a Government, we must take cognisance of the fact that, at least, we are able to finance our own projects and Recurrent Expenditure. One has to be intellectually candid of those major achievements. I am also very happy to note - as has just been announced by the Minister for Finance - that he is considering moving some amendments to the Finance Bill in order to give relief to sugar-cane farmers. We are very happy about that. I was once an Executive Chairman of Mumias Sugar Company. I am very happy that today, that company is able to generate substantial resources, make profits, pay dividends and, even much more important, supply sugar to all Kenyans. That recognition is important, as far as the sugar industry is concerned. A large number of Kenyans depend on sugar-cane for their livelihood. It is important to understand that, that is an important industry. If assisted, as proposed, we, as a country, can register substantial sugar output. Even much more important is what is being done at Mumias Sugar Company, although in a very modest manner. It is generating small amounts of electricity. We know the difficulties we are facing as far as energy is concerned. However, it has been demonstrated by Mumias Sugar Company that the sugar industry can make substantial contribution to the energy sector by burning bagasse. That can only happen if the sugar-cane farmers are encouraged to grow more sugar-cane, and see the industry as an important means of subsistence. That is very important. But even more important is the major contribution made in terms of employment creation and poverty reduction. The people in the rural areas should be assisted. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am very happy to hear from the Minister that some tax relief is being given to the fishing industry. That is very important! Kenya has a substantial reservoir of fish. We can play a very major role in the international market. That can be done by encouraging more people around the lake region and near the Indian Ocean to participate in that important and income-generating industry. Fish can be exported abroad. That has been done before. We are earning substantial foreign exchange from the fishing industry. We could still earn much more by assisting that industry. More resources and assistance should be given to fish- mongers to have storage facilities. That is one of the biggest problems. We should provide several cold storage facilities that could be paid for later, using the money earned from the sale of fish. Kenyan fish is extremely popular abroad. Employment opportunities will also be generated. It is also significant to note that the Minister has announced some relief in the insurance industry. That relates to the insurance brokers. It is important to have competition in the industry. There should not be dis-incentives which can negate competitive activities. That is extremely important. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in his Budget Speech, the Minister for Finance gave relief to those who are in the business of importing computers. This is a recognition of the fact that today's economies are backed by knowledge. It is also a recognition of the fact that computers, today, are an important component of economic development of this nation. Any country that wishes to be part of globalisation has no alternative, but to embrace Information and Communications Technology (ICT). If we do not comply with these facts, we shall be marginalised globally and our competitiveness will be reduced. Indeed, it should be appreciated that today most of the orders are normally placed on the October 31, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3249 internet. Selling of various products and services is done through the internet. Therefore, a country that lacks ICT knowledge will find it extremely difficult to operate in this modern world. I am very happy that the Minister has recognised the vital role of ICT in the development of this country. Mr. Temporary Deputty Speaker, Sir, however, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we still have a long way to go as far as ICT is concerned. In our country, computers are still very expensive---"
}