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{
    "id": 948706,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/948706/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 288,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Malalah",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13195,
        "legal_name": "Cleophas Wakhungu Malalah",
        "slug": "cleophas-wakhungu-malalah-2"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, agriculture is a devolved function and, therefore, county governments have a role to play when it comes to subsidized farm inputs. Let us encourage our respective county assemblies to prioritize budgeting for subsidized fertilizer in their annual budget estimates. I was surprised to learn that a tea farmer in Kenya is subjected to 42 different taxes. As a county, we are getting it wrong. We are a greedy country; a country that cares not about the small-scale farmer in Kericho or Meru. It is important for us to have a wider view of the taxation regime of this country. It is bad that a poor peasant farmer is subjected to 42 different taxes, whereas we have billionaires in this country who are not taxed heavily. I think, as a country, we are getting it wrong. We are a greedy country. We are a country that cares not about that small-scale farmer in Kericho, whereas we have billionaires in this country who are not taxed heavily. This issue of high taxation has led to the closure of many factories and companies in Kenya. It is sad that as we speak right now, many people in Kenya are losing their jobs because of the high taxation. It is upon the national Government, through the National Assembly, to relook into the Finance Bill because they have concentrated more on revenue collection and not providing a good environment to ensure that our youth are employed. Just to mention but a few, companies like Stanbic Bank, which recently sent away 200 employees; the East Africa Portland Cement declared all staff redundant; and Kenya Airways has laid off 38 employees. At Finlay Tea Company in Kericho, at least 1,700 people lost their jobs. Recently, my good friend, Mr. Ronald Karauri, of Sportspesa laid off over 400 workers. This is a lesson. It is important as a country to go back into the campaign manifesto that was used in 2013 when the Jubilee Government promised that they will create one million jobs every year. It is paradoxical that the opposite is happening right now. The country has lost leadership. The country has lost focus on the mandate of its manifesto. The Big Four Agenda that is being pushed by this Government cannot be realised when industries are being closed. Therefore, it is very important for this Government to retreat and start thinking on ways which they can leave a legacy. As it stands right now, I want to assure the Jubilee Government that they are remaining with only two years, and they have no impact on the people of Kenya. We risk finishing this term without a legacy being left behind by this regime. It is, therefore, important for the President and his Deputy to relook and refocus on issues they promised Kenya; one of them is providing jobs for our youth. The issues affecting the tea sector are synonymous to those affecting the sugar industry. I will majorly narrow down to the high cost of production. The cost of fuel is very high. This is a country where one litre of fuel goes for almost Kshs110, which is very high compared to other countries which get the same products from the same market. It is important to look at what is ailing us so that we can reduce the cost of production and eventually, the farmer gets profit. When you look at the sugar industry, it is sad that as we speak, the giant miller; Mumias Sugar Company, is under receivership because of mismanagement. The The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}