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{
    "id": 836963,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/836963/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 290,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nyando, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Jared Okelo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13457,
        "legal_name": "Jared Odoyo Okelo",
        "slug": "jared-odoyo-okelo-2"
    },
    "content": "In support of the Report, I would want us to take cognisance of a few things. It is true that we are experiencing very harsh fiscal and economic realities as a country and the imposition of 8 per cent VAT on petroleum products is a testament that cannot be gainsaid. In recognition of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, I would urge this House to advise the Executive correctly, as it considers austerity measures to fill the gaps in our budget and also to scale back our diplomatic representation oversees by closing some of the embassies abroad, especially those that are ineffective and offer no tidings to this country. Maintaining and operating embassies abroad is very expensive and therefore something needs to be done that will hence help our budget not to see deficits, but at least, try to balance our books. The mistaken perception that we have also had to contend with is that embassies abroad are about cocktails, partying, stealing taxpayers’ money through diplomatic missions and receptions. We must do more to dissuade these notions from our people and where realities have been proven, look at ways of addressing these illegalities in a way that will save the already suffering taxpayers the agony of going deep into their pockets to cushion these unwarranted payments extended to our embassies abroad. Conventional embassies are ill suited for today’s challenges. They should adapt to globalisation and the information systems advancements so that they become more responsive to the modern environments. The way we have had to trade with our development partners and our embassies abroad is archaic; it reflects a conventional means that they will never address the current generation’s concerns."
}