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{
    "id": 579135,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/579135/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 216,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Eng.) Gumbo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 24,
        "legal_name": "Nicholas Gumbo",
        "slug": "nicholas-gumbo"
    },
    "content": "I have noticed that the proposed amendments to the Banking Act to increase capitalisation is not good, in my view. We need as many parts of this country to be banked. We have had experiences with Equity Bank and Family Bank. We should encourage as many of our small banks as possible because what we are going to see, if this amendment goes through, is that many of the small banks will definitely collapse. We are now going to start having a situation where only a select few will be taking part in providing this vital public service and with it you are going to start getting problems of arbitrary charges. The fact that the charges have been going down comes from the fact that Kenyans now have many more choices. I would per say have no problem with the Road Maintenance Levy being increased by Ksh3. However, the problem we have had in our country is the opaqueness with which we tend to spend tax revenue. It is inconceivable that almost 60 years into Independence some parts of this country virtually see no signs of improvement in their livelihoods by use of taxes that they generate. I would be at the forefront in championing this as long as every Kenyan is assured that the taxes he or she pays can be seen in the goods and services that the Government gives them. On the distribution of our tax revenues to every part of this country, even those who have tractors in the farmlands pay taxes and levies with regard to fuel. But we have to see this being applied to improve their lives. As I rush to conclude, I want to comment a little bit on what the passage of this Bill would mean. Basically, appropriation is a covenant with the people of Kenya. What we do at appropriation is basically to say; “give me your taxes and in return the Government will guarantee the following services.” Most of the appropriations that we make with the Appropriations Bill actually come from our taxes. I do not see where the problem is when at the end of that appropriation, we have a constitutional office in the name of the Auditor-General who is there to tell us: “Yes, this much money is given to offices of Government to use on behalf of the people of Kenya; but this is the level of prudence, effectiveness and efficiency with which those funds are applied.” What the Auditor-General does, basically, is to verify attainment of that covenant. You made a covenant with the people that, “I will take your money and in return I will give you these many services.” All over the world, the Auditor-General’s Report cannot make comfortable reading. Indeed, the moment the Auditor-General’s Report starts to look like a bedtime story book, then, definitely there is a problem with that office. I can tell you for a fact that even when we, in CORD, take over Government – which I hope will happen soon - we will find certain aspects of the Auditor-General’s Report uncomfortable. But the way to go about commenting on 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."
}