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{
    "id": 377196,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/377196/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 420,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Otucho",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12837,
        "legal_name": "Mary Emaase Otuch",
        "slug": "mary-emaase-otuch"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to contribute to this very important Bill. The VAT Bill is very important in the sense that it is through the VAT that the Government raises some of its income. The perception that has been painted out there about this Bill needs to be corrected. We need to tell the people the truth. Kenya is not an exception. Looking at nations all over the world, most of them depend largely on taxation as one of their revenue source to finance their budgets. Again, we are a Third world country largely because of our inability to collect enough revenue through our taxes. Even when we collect taxes, we still lose a lot of it through the loopholes that are inherent within our systems. Before I even contribute to this Motion, I want to send a very strong message to the KRA that they need to put in place stringent measures to ensure that the revenue that is going to be collected through taxes is efficiently and effectively managed for the benefit of this nation. Having said that, there are very good things about this Bill. I am happy that the Leader of Majority Party has touched on a number of them. First and foremost, the Bill seeks to broaden the tax base. Some of the items that were in Schedule II of the previous Act are being removed, so that the tax base is broadened to realise the revenue that the Government is looking for. Secondly, this Bill also seeks to speed up the adjudication of the VAT matters at the KRA, so as to allow for both public and private hearings and also simplification of administrative procedures. If you look at Clause 6(1) and Clause 7(2), they specify timelines for implementation and compliance. So, there is a lot of clarity that is coming in with the new proposed Bill. Also, this Bill seeks to restructure the entire legislation to make it shorter and user-friendly to the taxpayer. Hon. Members will agree with me that this Government needs to raise money. It needs to make our roads better, improve our health"
}