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{
    "id": 321773,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/321773/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 154,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Githae",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 159,
        "legal_name": "Robinson Njeru Githae",
        "slug": "robinson-githae"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Member for Kilome for that very good question. It is true. It was brought to my attention yesterday that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is now insisting on cash bond, instead of insurance bond, for all transit goods. This makes the cost of transportation of goods very high. I am also aware that the Ugandan High Commissioner to Kenya protested to the KRA and our Minister for Trade. I am further aware that the Personal Assistant to the President of Uganda has also called the Minister for Trade and protested about that move. I have, therefore, scheduled a meeting for next week with the KRA to come up with a solution, because this move is going to make transportation of transit goods very expensive; mainly because banks are insisting that in order for them to give an importer a bond of, say, Kshs10 million, the importer must place with them an equivalent amount of cash. That makes it very expensive. Insurance companies would charge a commission of about 2 per cent. So, it is cheaper. So, this issue has since been brought to my attention. Uganda is our main trading partner in this region. We must protect that business. When Uganda complains, we must listen. We are also trying to encourage business with Ethiopia. That is why I have, in this year’s Budget, provided money for construction of the last section of the road from Turbi to Moyale. We have also agreed with the Ethiopian Government that they are going to rehabilitate the road from Moyale to Addis Ababa, so that we can reduce the transportation costs. We have a huge market in Ethiopia. Therefore, I would like to confirm that I am going to deal with this matter having been brought to my attention. Mr. Speaker, Sir, concerning demurrage charges---"
}