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{
    "id": 467144,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/467144/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 334,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mulu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1955,
        "legal_name": "Benson Makali Mulu",
        "slug": "benson-makali-mulu"
    },
    "content": "concern? What has happened is that the prices of those basic commodities have increased. On the basis of that, the demand of the same commodities will actually go down. Normally, what will happen when the demand goes down is that production will be suppressed. When you suppress production of the same commodities, then the producing units will actually scale down in terms of employment and other things which can help Kenyans. As hon. Members, we need to think about this Motion in this manner. If we want employment in this country to expand, then we need to rethink this Act which we have actually passed. That is why I am recommending that while we might be making the Kshs10 billion from this VAT Act, what will happen is that, at the end of the day, we are going to make Kenyans poorer than they are today. Normally, what happens when you make people poorer? There are a number of consequences. One of them is that the crime rate will increase and there is no doubt about that. The other thing is that the interest rates in this country are likely to be affected negatively by the same thing. The other thing is that Kenyans are likely to experience poor health because they will have no money to take care of their health. To me, the other serious thing that we need to consider is that normally, when people become very poor, they increase their production in terms of birth rates and things like that and this is going to negate all the efforts this country has made in terms of controlling our population. So, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I think I want to plead with the Members that, despite the fact that we have passed this law, I think we still have room for amendment so that we really ensure that Kenyans do not suffer and, at the same time, we are able to correct some of these things which are likely to happen if we really have this Act in place for a long time. So, with these remarks, I urge both the Jubilee and CORD sides of this House to support the amendments which are likely to be pushed to this House so that we actually get a better law than we have today. Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker."
}