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{
    "id": 858704,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/858704/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 246,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kihika",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13216,
        "legal_name": "Susan Wakarura Kihika",
        "slug": "susan-wakarura-kihika"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise to support this extremely timely Motion which we should have had many months or years ago. The credit goes to our colleague, Sen. Halake, for highlighting this issue and bringing it to the Floor of this House. It is an extremely important and serious matter. The data for this country is that the female population is about 52 per cent of Kenya‟s population. Therefore, 52 per cent of our population is affected by this issue. Some may obviously be younger or a little past that but at some point in life, 52 per cent of our population will be affected by this issue. That is why I cannot support this Motion enough. Madam Temporary Speaker, I have never had anybody put this issue this way. Therefore, I love to see what Sen. Halake has done in breaking down how discriminatory these taxes are in as far as gender is concerned. Like is said, 52 per cent of the female population of this country is affected by this very heavy taxation on sanitary towels. As I listened to Sen. Halake, I am surprised to learn that when imported finished sanitary towels are brought from abroad, they are duty free and are exempted from VAT. However, when I look at the statistics that she has provided, the local manufacturer is extremely disadvantaged in this area. That is why they have to make their pads more expensive yet not everyone can afford the imported ones. Beyond that, there is a big population of Kenyans that cannot afford pads. This then gives rise to the issue of discrimination because they are disadvantaged in as far as their health is concerned. Madam Temporary Speaker, I will repeat this for those who were listening but do not have an idea of the very heavy taxation on the materials that the local producers use to manufacture these sanitary towels. The perforated film that is used is taxed at a VAT of 16 per cent and duty of 25 per cent. The duty for perforated top and back sheet is 25 per cent and VAT is at 16 per cent. The duty for the non-woven material is 10 per cent and 16 per cent VAT. The duty for the silicon paper which is used by the manufacturers is taxed at 10 per cent and the VAT is at 16 per cent. The duty for the release silicon paper is 10 per cent and 16 per cent VAT. The duty for the tissue that is used for manufacturing sanitary towels is 10 per cent and 16 per cent VAT. The VAT for the fluff is 16 per cent. For the super absorbent polymer that they use in the manufacturing of these sanitary towels, you have a 10 per cent duty and 16 per cent VAT. The adhesive glue is at 25 per cent duty and the VAT is 16 per cent. I could go on, but that illustrates the big disadvantage that is to the local manufacturers. We import finished products from other countries duty free. They are exempt from the VAT."
}