Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 998544,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/998544/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1494,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kathiani, WDM-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Robert Mbui",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1750,
        "legal_name": "Robert Mbui",
        "slug": "robert-mbui"
    },
    "content": "pandemic to help Kenyans who are suffering, like those that allowed for the reduction of the Income Tax from 30 per to 25 per cent and that of the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 16 per to 14 percent, were done in this House. Even the abolition of tax for people who earn less than Kshs24,000 was done in this House. But Kenyans out there think that this House is asleep and that we are doing nothing. Maybe, it is important for Kenyans to know that even if we were to go to war as a nation, this House would have to approve that. The Members of the House would not necessarily be leading the squads in shooting. It is important for Kenyans to know that we have a role that we are playing to the best of our ability. I would imagine that we have performed at least over 80 per cent of our roles. The trick here is that when COVID-19 hit the country, Kenyans expected the Members of Parliament to be leading from the frontline. What they do not understand is that we can only pass the budget and other regulations that allow them to have money to sustain themselves during this time. But we will not be the ones going out there because even the Ministry of Health regulations say that we must ensure that we give each other space - in other words, social distance - by avoiding being in crowds, going out and staying at home as much as possible. When Kenyans see Members of Parliament at home, they assume that they are asleep and are not working. It is important for Kenyans to know that even Members of Parliament can get the Coronavirus. So, when you see us not coming out to the streets, it is because we know that we attract crowds and this will be a breach of the law. Unfortunately, if one person gets infected in such a scenario, it could spread to many other people and we could be the cause if we go out. Let them understand that not going out regularly does not mean that we are not playing our role since it is being played in this House. Hon. Speaker, COVID-19 has really damaged the country. It affects both the income and expenditure of the budget. The income of the nation will obviously drop because we have given too many tax incentives and thus the tax collector will definitely experience losses. Businesses have also been affected."
}