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{
    "id": 305006,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/305006/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 559,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Githae",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Finance",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 159,
        "legal_name": "Robinson Njeru Githae",
        "slug": "robinson-githae"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will be very quick because, as you can see even from the volume of the Finance Bill, I have reduced it to just a few pages. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, first, let me thank the hon. Members for their cordial support to the budgetary process and other related Government policies, aimed at sustaining and enhancing the economic growth and development of our country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the taxation measures I proposed in the Finance Bill, 2012 are aimed at complementing the broader economic policies that I outlined in both the Budget Policy Statement and the Budget Statement. In particular, the measures are intended to, among others:- (i) facilitate the private sector for growth and employment; (ii) invest in people and support rural development; (iii) promote equity and fairness in the tax system; and, (iv) further reform the tax system for efficiency and effectiveness. The miscellaneous measures are aimed at enhancing stability, efficiency and effectiveness of the financial sector, especially the banking and insurance industries and retirement benefits. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will only highlight a few proposals, as hon. Members will have an opportunity to debate the entire Bill during the Committee stage. I have proposed an amendment to the Customs and Excise Duty Act to ensure that no person enjoys tax exemption by virtue of holding a State office in line with the Constitution. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, further, I have proposed to amend the Customs and Excise Duty Act to facilitate faster processing of applications for renewal of Excise licences in line with the Constitution that requires very high standards in delivery service. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, hon. Members will also note that in my Budget, I never increased any tax. I did not increase or introduce even the so-called Landlords’ Tax. It has always been there. What I said is that there will be full compliance with the Income Tax. What I did in the Budget Statement is to expand the tax base. That is why I have now proposed that no State officer will be exempted from paying tax, merely because of that position. But we are also mindful of the fact that these are new measures and according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), you cannot affect the salaries and remuneration of an existing contract. That is why those who have"
}