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{
    "id": 933185,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/933185/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 405,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, ANC",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Godfrey Osotsi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13172,
        "legal_name": "Godfrey Osotsi",
        "slug": "godfrey-osotsi"
    },
    "content": "Another very important issue is license fees. As much as I agree with a number of Members who are saying that we need to manage the negative effect of betting and gaming in this country, we cannot set very high license fees. This Bill is proposing to set up very high license fees of between Kshs5million and Kshs100 million. In addition to that, after every three to five years, you will pay high renewal fees. We also have charges on gaming security which is also very high. It is up to Kshs100 million. These fees will discourage investment in this sector. On one hand, we ask for huge taxes from these companies. On the other hand, we charge very high fees to set up this kind of companies in this country. This country has to make a decision on whether we want to continue having this kind of businesses or to completely shut them down. It does not make sense to have this high operational cost. These costs are high compared to international standards. The other issue is online gaming. I commend the Committee for coming up with this provision. Before this law, we used to regulate those who did gaming and betting in this country, but people who did online betting and gaming were still in business. The high licence fees disadvantaged those who are doing business in this country. Those who have set up business outside the country were enjoying. As much as I commend the Committee for introducing this aspect in the Bill, I also want it to also look at the inconsistencies in that Section. When I look at Section 68, it is outlawing the use of telecommunication service. We know that over 80 per cent of Kenyans have access to mobile phones and that is where they do all their operations online. Therefore, if you outlaw use of technology, then how are you going to"
}