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"speaker_name": "Hon. (Eng.) Gumbo",
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"content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Motion on the Budget Policy Statement as amended. I notice that, broadly, this Policy Statement is a strategy for economic transformation, and that it covers areas, as listed, to create conducive business environment in order to encourage innovation; invest in agricultural transformation for food security; first class transport, quality and accessible healthcare, and further entrench devolution. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, in so far as those broad aims are concerned, this is a good Policy Statement. I want to thank my good friend, the Chairperson of the Committee. As we speak today, the issues that our country is seized of have to do with the cost of living, youth unemployment, insecurity; the ever increasing poverty and the widening rich-poor divide in Kenya. As you are aware, it has been said that today probably the richest person in East Africa lives in Kenya just as the poorest person in East Africa lives in Kenya. We also have issues to do with education, health and corruption and, of course, the very elusive matter of national conviviality, which, in my view, has done more to drag back the promise of Kenya than anything else. This is a bold statement because we also have to appreciate the fact that this being the first real Budget Policy Statement that the county administration has had to do on their own, I believe that it is a good start. As a medium-term strategy initiative, it is something that, as a country, we should embrace and move forward. There is, of course, the challenge of the high cost of living. I am glad that only recently did we debate the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill. It came out very clearly that part of the problem that is bedevilling our country today is that we have become a very expensive society. When we become an expensive society, it means that we cannot attract investment. Even expatriates who would want to come and stay here, including tourists, start to look for alternative places because everybody wants to utilise every penny that they have to its maximum. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Budget Policy Statement that has been presented here seeks to achieve economic transformation and share prosperity. Share prosperity is important because, as we always say, when we all prosper, if not each one of us, the majority of us will have reason to believe that they have stake in the affairs of the country. I believe very strongly that when a time comes when a majority of Kenyans will feel that they have a stake in the affairs of the country; it will be easy for us. It has been said time and time again that the only way to provide everlasting protection for the well- to-do and the privileged in society---"
}