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{
    "id": 576021,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/576021/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 159,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. J. K. Ng’ang’a",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 54,
        "legal_name": "Joseph Nganga Kiuna",
        "slug": "joseph-kiuna"
    },
    "content": "Africa. We need to look into it and find out the problem it is experiencing, so that we can try to rectify it. From there, we have to go down to the Coast region and the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). There are many importers and exporters who are doing business here. We have a lot of problems and challenges at the port of Mombasa. I do remember very well in the last Parliament we visited various international ports, and we realised that many seaports have been liberalised. Governments have liberalised them to private investors, so that they can compete. However, here in Kenya, I do not know what is going on. We need to look at the problem at the KPA so that those people who import goods will have their goods cleared in time and they do not incur any losses. For those who are also exporting, you will find that it might take an exporter, or a clearing agent over one week to clear one container for export. Some of those who import take two weeks to clear a consignment at the port of Mombasa. However, if the port was liberalised, it would be very much competitive because investors would know that they are doing it at their own risk. However, at the moment, there is a lot of laxity and corruption at the port of Mombasa. We need to look into it. When we come here to our capital city, coming from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to City centre takes a lot of time. You find that an investor has taken maybe five or seven hours to come all the way from Europe. However, from the airport to a certain hotel where he or she will reside or hold some meeting, it takes him or her more than two hours. We also need to look at how we can reduce the traffic jam, especially along Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway. It is very painful for an investor who has tight schedules to waste more than three hours in a traffic jam, and he or she was only coming here very briefly to hold a meeting and then take the next flight to the next destination. So, we need to look at it because I do not see any reason for it. Those are the major challenges which the Government needs to look into, so that it can create a good and friendly business environment. As I wind up, I propose that in this Bill we also look at taxes. Kenya is among the countries which are highly taxed. If we want to attract foreign investors, we need to look at our taxation. There are some businesses which are operated here in Kenya, especially in the manufacturing industry. The duty they normally pay to the Government is exorbitant; it reaches a point where instead of operating their businesses here in our country, they transfer them to the neighbouring countries like Uganda, Rwanda and even Tanzania. If we need to be regarded as a business hub, we have to understand that our neighbouring countries are also very anxious and ready to attract local and foreign investors. I wind up by supporting this Bill. As we support it, we need to clear those hiccups, so that investors can come and do business in Kenya. Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I support the Bill."
}