Entry Instance

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{
    "id": 822880,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/822880/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 68,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, Standing Order 225(2)(b) requires that the Speaker reports to the House any petition other than those presented through a Member. I, therefore, wish to convey to the House that my office is in receipt of a petition signed by one Mr. Njoroge Waweru of P.O. Box 287, Kikuyu, regarding Value Added Tax (VAT) charged on textbooks, journals and periodicals. The petitioner contends that the VAT charged on textbooks, journals and periodicals is prohibitive and curtails the promotion of education and development of a culture of lifelong learning among citizens. The petitioner further highlights that the Kenya Revenue Authority charges 16 per cent VAT on both new and used textbooks yet the value on these books is not the same, and does not levy VAT on books and journals sold online. He believes that this amounts to discrimination against printed books as these are more accessible to the majority of Kenya’s population, which has limited access to the internet. The petitioner, therefore, prays that the National Assembly evaluates the usefulness of VAT levied on text books, journals and periodicals and considers zero-rating these items. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 227, this Petition stands committed to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning for consideration. I urge the Committee to engage the petitioner and report its findings to the House within 60 days, or even earlier, given that the matter falls within the confines of the Finance Bill, 2018, which is under consideration by the Committee. I thank you."
}