Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 577843,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/577843/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 293,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Muhia",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 968,
        "legal_name": "Wanjiku Muhia",
        "slug": "wanjiku-muhia"
    },
    "content": "Kshs100 to buy the alcohol but in the event they can buy at Kshs30, the imitation business will rise. Speaking of cigarettes, we know that even those who do not smoke get affected seriously from a distance. This is another case where I am viewing this country in a vicious cycle. When people smoke or drink, they get ill and seek medication in hospitals. Much as we have collected a lot of revenue and as a Member was trying to illustrate how Government should be fair with industries like Keroche, I would not be fair. I would want to minimize them or possibly discourage other investors to go that direction. I do not understand the cycle where we collect so much revenue from alcohol then we use the same revenue collected in healthcare because people who would be working for this country are lying in hospitals spending the same revenue on drugs. I wish to say that investment or entrepreneurship is a range and people can diversify so that those who remain in this industry can make pure and hygienic alcohol that cannot be easily imitated Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I am concerned about the motorcycles. Today, we know that our youth have become entrepreneurs on motorcycles, not only on transport but on other businesses like carrying cargo. I am concerned and I feel that during the Third Reading, we need to bring amendments and possibly agree as a House if we want to go this direction or not. Why do I say this? I always feel that insecurity in this country is as a result of frustrated youth. So, these youth have gone and joined a group and they have got Uwezo Fund, they have bought motorcycles, then we have taxed them so heavily such that they cannot maintain their business. The next moment, they would be googling the common known Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) website. On that page, again, they are radicalised. We shall again find ourselves with insecurity issues. I am very concerned like my colleague of juices because we know some parts of this country like the coast region are quite hot. The temperatures are always very high and so people have to keep on drinking these kind of drinks. I would not like the taxman also to benefit at the cost of the ordinary mwananchi’s living standards. Some people may not afford those juices that are costly. However, as a result of the cost, again, the other manufacturers can come on board and try to manufacture. I am also concerned about the issue of telephone. Today, we have all gone digital. Even my grandmother has a phone. Even the youth who are doing business have phones. Again, I want us to look at the taxman benefiting and the ordinary mwananchi losing business. Which tax should we collect more? Do we go this direction where we get revenue but we get fewer youth operating the phones? If they are not going to be in business of using their phones or changing with the lifestyle---Today, we have gone all the way to using S4,S6 or iPhones. If the prices get very high, then the youth will maintain their kabambes . So, we may lose the revenue from one side as we look at the other side. I want to compare this country with Europe where people drive very simple cars and in Kenya where we are fond of driving very big vehicles. This is with the exception of politicians because our roads are not good. So, the Vitz cannot take me to Kinangop or Ndaragwa constituency. Ideally, we should limit the people from driving the big vehicles unnecessarily. This is one way where Europe has maintained good standards and their environment is safe. This is because they have been regularised by the taxes. You cannot afford to pay so much tax on your vehicle if it is old or polluting the air. 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."
}