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"speaker_name": "Maj. Madoka",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. In contributing to the Budget Speech, I appreciate that the Government has to, of necessity, raise funds to meet its various obligations in delivering service to Kenyans. It is important that the Government enhances its machinery in terms of collecting taxes to ensure that all the due taxes are collected. In fact, I believe that if all the taxes that are due are collected, there will be no need to levy any more taxes on Kenyans. At the moment, Kenyans are amongst the highest taxed people in the world. The Minister has to ensure that he does not keep on increasing taxes to Kenyans because life will become very difficult for us. When it comes to increasing taxes, the Minister has to ensure that whatever measures he puts in place, they are aimed at reducing the gap between the rich and the poor. When the Minister raises the Fuel Levy, then, I think he is out of touch. I would like him to look at this: Transporters have already increased the matatu fares. I was surprised when he said that even though he raised the Fuel Levy, he did not expect the transporters to raise fares. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the transporters are in business and they have to make money. Matatu operators have raised their fares by between Kshs10 and Kshs15. If you do your calculation, you will find that these ordinary Kenyans are paying between Kshs300 and Kshs400 extra in a month. That translates to about seven packets of unga a month. That is food for a family for about one week and a half. Now, we really have to think about these poor ordinary Kenyans. I think the Minister needs to reconsider this particular issue and revise that figure downwards. I think it is important that the Minister or the Government looks at what needs to be done for the ordinary person. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the President for introducing the Ministry of Youth Affairs and also setting up the Youth Enterprise Fund. I think it is a very good step because if the youth can be kept under control or be empowered to generate some money and keep themselves busy, then I think the social problems affecting them will be solved. However, as expressed by many hon. Members, our concern is how these funds will be disbursed. I recall that at one time the previous Government set up the Poverty Alleviation Programme whose funds were allocated to the District Commissioners. These funds were given to various groups but they were never repaid. So, whereas the intention was to have it as a revolving fund, it did not materialise. I would like to suggest that the Ministry or the Government sets up a special micro-finance institution to look after this particular Fund like the Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT). The KWFT disburses Kshs3 billion to its members who total 125,000. Out of these 125,000 members, 75 per cent of them are youth aged between 16 and 35 years. The repayment of these loans is 98 per cent which means if this money is given out and properly managed, then they will be able to sustain the programme. So, I would highly recommend that the Minister looks into this possibility of setting up this institution to manage these funds or else this particular programme will be a failure. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was happy to note the setting aside of Kshs400 million to buy land for the displaced Kenyans. I would like the Government to consider buying land from some of these large-scale holders like Mwatate-Taita Sisal Estate whose land is in dispute with the residents. The Government should buy this land and give it back to these people so that they do not live under the threat of being evicted by the registered land owners. I think once it does that, the residents will live a happier life where they are not threatened. June 27, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1613 Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to touch on the question of governance. The Minister proposes to amend the Central Bank Act so that they can have a chairman whom the Governor of the Central Bank will report to. I believe that is not necessary. If you have the right people appointed to these positions then that amendment is totally unnecessary. What we need is a person of integrity who cannot be compromised, intimidated or manipulated. I believe the present acting Governor is a person who cannot be manipulated or intimidated and I think the Government should consider confirming her into the position and they will not be worried. I think it is wrong to start creating these positions because of mistakes made by individuals. You do not amend a constitution just because one person has committed a mistake. It is important that we stick to the necessary constitutional provisions so that we can continue operating efficiently. I call upon the hon. Members of this House to totally reject any proposed amendment to the Central Bank of Kenya Act which will call for the establishment of an additional chairman to whom this Governor should report. The Governor should report to the appointing authority, who is the President and I think that position should not change. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have said that all Kenyans are responsible and should pay their taxes. A lot has been said about the hon. Members of Parliament. We pay our due taxes as provided for by the law. I know people have spoken about our various allowances and that they should also be taxed. However, I think they have to look at the reasons which led to the exemption from tax of these allowances. I think the ordinary Kenyans do not bear the same responsibilities as we do. How many ordinary Kenyans have to go and attend five or ten meetings in a week and contribute funds to these other functions? The ordinary Kenyans find it as an obligation for the hon. Members of Parliament to do that. They really have no choice. The Deputy Leader of Government Business is wrong when she says that we should be happy to have these funds taken to the central kitty and come down to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). These funds do not contribute to some of these other social obligations which the hon. Members of Parliament have to meet. Many of us are forced to spend weeks and weeks raising money here in Nairobi to send dead bodies home. That money does not come from the CDF. So, these allowances help us to be able to meet these social obligations. I think hon. Members should have the courage to stand up and say so. They should not be scared and intimidated by the media. I think it is important that we stand up and say: \"These are our obligations and let us perform them\". I think we will continue paying our due taxes as required and we will not be worried. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, a lot has been said and I do not want to repeat. I support this Budget only if there is a review on the Fuel Levy and also if the Minister ensures that he will not make any proposed amendments to the Central Bank of Kenya Act because we will oppose it. Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir."
}