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{
    "id": 421328,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/421328/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 304,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Wakhungu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. My five minutes are not yet over. If we do more of listening, we will be avoiding repetition. That is another good way of debating. We should not repeat matters that have already been mentioned. The issue I was trying to put across is that the cost of living has nothing to do with the CORD or Jubilee coalitions. I am calling upon my colleagues on the other side of the House to look at this Bill objectively and support the amendments. I would like to point out the issues of exercise books, electricity, water and ambulances. If we can agree and build a consensus on this issue, it should not be an issue to debate. Let us look at it soberly in the spirit of brotherhood. We have talked about the Jubilee Government saying that it wants to raise money through VAT. How much money are we going to raise? I was talking about the issue of the social net. We have seen some elderly people of more than 65 years being given a stipend of Kshs2,000 each. What is Kshs2,000? Looking at their number, they are totally insignificant. The Government should focus on production as opposed to consumption. If you look at economies like Malaysia and China, you will appreciate that they focus more on production as opposed to consumption. Therefore, my humble request is that the Jubilee Government should get its priorities right, so that we can focus more on production as opposed to consumption. The Kshs2,000 shillings that we are giving to the few elderly people is like a drop of water in an ocean. There are very many elderly people who do not get that money. If we can re- focus our attention towards production and encourage more people to produce and feed themselves, we will be more sustainable. Article 10 of our Constitution, which is on national values and governance, talks about sustainable development. As we debate the issue of VAT, we must look into the issue of sustainable development. If the economy improves, it is for all of us. It is not for Jubilee or CORD. That is why I am calling upon my colleagues on the other side of the House to support these amendments. With those remarks, I beg to support."
}