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{
    "id": 466765,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/466765/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 362,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ng’ongo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 110,
        "legal_name": "John Mbadi Ng'ong'o",
        "slug": "john-mbadi"
    },
    "content": "between Kenya and other countries has been lacking. So, an attempt to bring this matter into clarity is laudable. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the proposal to give powers to the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) to assist other regulatory bodies in ensuring compliance is something we need to support seriously. If there is anything that needs to be guarded jealously is the retirement benefits of Kenyans. When you retire, you would want to continue living in dignity and respect. This can only happen if whatever you have contributed to a retirement benefit scheme is secured and protected. There are other good provisions, like repealing the Local Authority Transfer Fund Act, which has outlived its time since we no longer have the local authorities. I would support such amendments. Much as the amendment to the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act to exempt goods and equipment used for sports looks desirable and a good move that needs our support, I would agree with on. Priscilla Nyokabi, that, we need to pass the Act first. If we have to amend it, we should then do it properly. I want to reveal to this House that I have already forwarded a proposal for the amendment of the VAT Act. There has been talk that the Act can only be amended six months from the day it was assented to but I want to remind hon. Members that there is a provision, under Standing Order No.49(2), that allows the Speaker to waive that requirement. There is a precedent where we amended the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Act just a short while after its passage. So, I believe that the Speaker will give approval to the amendment, which has been initiated through the CORD Coalition, to bring more essential and basic commodities that Kenyans are crying for to exemption from taxation. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, there is a negative side of the Bill before us. I support fully the effort and attempt to establish the Railway Development Levy Fund and improve our railway network because a country cannot grow without having in place a reliable and efficient railway system. However, I thought that our Government would be more innovative. We have spoken a number of times and advised the Government to use the infrastructure development bonds to finance infrastructural projects and development in this country. Taxing and overtaxing Kenyans should not be the policy of the Jubilee Government. If you asked me, additional levy on all imported goods will continue hurting the Kenyan population which is already complaining and crying of excess taxation. I am reluctant in approving any additional tax on Kenyans in whichever way. This is because this country is a net importer. It is a country that is heavily dependent on importation. Any attempt to increase Import Duty and Excise Duty is in itself making life more difficult for Kenyans. I do not think that is desirable. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I was looking at this Bill and I thought about what the Cabinet Secretary read before us here. He indicated that Capital Gains Tax would be re-introduced. That is the first thing, when I was checking this Bill, I was looking for. Deliberately, that Capital Gains Tax is left out and you want to tax more poor Kenyans yet the rich ones who are able to build mansions and sell them at exorbitant profits are left to laugh all the way to the bank with their income. I will introduce an amendment to re-introduce the Capital Gains Tax which was suspended for selfish reasons at some point in time. This I know will not be music in the ears of the Jubilee Government, but Kenyans are suffering and we need to think seriously about reducing the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}