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"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am a businessman. I know that after making Kshs600,000, it is very difficult to give it to somebody. However, if somebody gave me Kshs600,000 to come here and make a statement about them, I would not have earned the money. Therefore, it would not pain me and I would give it. So, the first question to be asked about abuse of raising funds is; where does the person who is giving out the money get it from? This should be explained clearly. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there is a parastatal called the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The KRA carries out appraisals about an individual’s potential tax payment. I propose that the Bill includes a provision that when you contribute Kshs1 million, that must be reflected in your income tax assessment so that you show where the Kshs1 million came from. If you do not know the tax on KShs1 million, it is approximately Kshs300,000. Therefore, you should give Kshs1 million to the harambee and Kshs300,000 as tax because that is income. Otherwise, where did you get the money from? If you can explain where the money came from and show that the money came from donations by individuals who paid taxes, then, perhaps, that would exempt you within the Act. However, people must explain where they get money from. The second thing, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, is that as Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki has ably demonstrated, politicians have literally become hostages. You have seen for yourself in this House the circulation of all manner of cards to raise money for building cattle dips and all manner of things. Neither the Senators nor the Members of the National Assembly were elected to build cattle dips. That is why we have the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF), and I support the idea of having some money put aside. Whether through the same system that we have today or in an abbreviated or more accommodating system, we must have that kind of kitty so that, that money can go to those sorts of things. Instead of debating a serious matter like this, you will find Senators out there trying to beg and borrow money from people who will then hold them hostage tomorrow in legislative terms. The advent of county governance – the election of governors, Senators and so on – creates even a bigger problem. This is because when you are the Senator for Kisumu or Senator for Turkana, for example, how can you be invited by every church in the entire county? Nyeri County has 3,000 churches. How in God’s name will I attend every single church in Nyeri County? Whom do they pray to in those churches? It is impossible yet if you attend only two, the rest would say: “So, he can only go to that Catholic Church and not the Seventh Day Church! So, he will only attend that PCEA Church and not attend our PCEA Church, which is on the other side of the county.” You will find yourself in an extremely difficult situation, which is unnecessary if you ask me. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if you want to make a contribution, so that it is not part of corruption, why do you not do so anonymously? We have been contributing to children going to school and in all manner of fundraisings. Why do you not do so anonymously? The abuse comes because I am expected to go to the church or out there to start counting Kshs1000 after another for impact, so that if I have Kshs100,000, then the congregation can clap for me 100,000 times. You will then realize that actually it does not count a cent even if you contribute in those harambees. At least, that is what I would The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}