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{
    "id": 86584,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/86584/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 406,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Oyongo Nyamweya",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 391,
        "legal_name": "Manson Oyongo Nyamweya",
        "slug": "manson-nyamweya"
    },
    "content": "The other issue is the levy which my colleague has talked about here. The 2 per cent charged from the income of a farmer is very high. It should be 1 per cent or even less. This money goes to tea research and the Board. What happens with the farmer on the ground. There are roads to be maintained. If the Act is not amended, who will maintain the roads? This means that the KTDA will have to impose some levy on the farmer so that it can maintain the roads. If that is done, then the total levy will be high. Another point is the taxation of tea for export. That should be scrapped. Let us take this opportunity to scrap that tax. Let us consult the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance so that that tax is scrapped because it eats into the income of the farmer. If it is scrapped, it will increase the benefit to the farmer. But above all, look at the fluctuation of foreign exchange which is the biggest hindrance to the tea sub-sector. It should be addressed. Sometimes one US Dollar is exchanged at Kshs80 or Kshs65. That is a difference of Kshs15 to the US Dollar. This is a huge amount of money. I am not saying that the Government should give farmers free money but it should cover them from this effect so that they can grow tea. If the farmers continue growing tea, the nation will continue earning foreign exchange and the Kenya shilling will be stable. Our balance of payment will also not be bad and the shilling will not depreciate much The only way forward is to support this Bill but we request that it is amended as my colleagues have proposed. We should meet to give our input so that the Bill is passed in order for the farmer and the Government to benefit."
}