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{
    "id": 81271,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/81271/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 599,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Duale",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Livestock Development",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we must, as a country, say that “yes,” in terms of economic growth for the last ten years, despite the post-election violence, our growth rate has gone up. I want to thank the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for introducing the Economic Stimulus Projects. That gives the element of equity when it comes to regional balance. I also want to thank the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). As a businessman, for many years, tax evasion was the order of the day. There are people in this country who used to bring ships of sugar and petroleum products in the name of transit cargo and end up dumping them in the local market. But you can see the growth rate in terms of collection for the KRA going to 17 percent in the year 2010/2011. But as much as we went to encourage local investors and widen the bracket on tax collection, we must give value for that taxation. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if you look at the economic hub of Eastleigh, today Eastleigh is next to the Central Business District in terms of revenue collection. I am sure the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and the KRA will agree with me. But if you look at the infrastructure in Eastleigh business hub, the roads are very bad and the sewage is in a terrible situation. There is also insecurity. Last weekend, two people were killed. How do we show and appreciate as the Government, KRA and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance, that, yes, these are the people who run this economy? We must give preference. They must see that the Government appreciates. I want the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, who is also a good friend of mine, to give me time and we drive through Eastleigh. The Prime Minister and a team led by hon. Obure went there in 2008 but for me, that was a public relations exercise. They went there and have never done anything. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the issue that was introduced by the KRA on transit cargo – the coding and the way that cargo will be followed, is very key. Look at the donors, including the African Development Bank, European Union, the Arab Consortium of Financial Institutions, there is a lot of confidence in our country. This is as a result of the independence we have created as far as our economy and budget is concerned. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, finally, I want the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance to address a number of issue. One is the escalating interest rates charged by banks in this country. This is very worrying. Also, the Ministry of Roads and Ministry of Finance have introduced infrastructural bonds. But we want this infrastructure to have a regional balance. When you have a Kshs28 billion Thika- Nairobi Highway and 47 years down the line, there is no tarmac road in North Eastern Province then, you are telling that those few of us who are privileged to live in Muthaiga and the suburbs of Nairobi can access that. We need to address issues that will increase food security and support the business community. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to support."
}