{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=156988","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=156986","results":[{"id":1588062,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588062/?format=json","text_counter":1144,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Peter Kaluma","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Hon. Members, we still have the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill to deal with. I am going to give all of you a chance to contribute, but please make it brief. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."},{"id":1588063,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588063/?format=json","text_counter":1145,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Peter Kaluma","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":"Hon. Samuel Atandi, Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee."},{"id":1588064,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588064/?format=json","text_counter":1146,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Alego Usonga, ODM","speaker_title":"Hon. Samuel Atandi","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Let me also join my colleagues in appreciating the competence and the leadership of the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, my brother, CPAK Kimani Kuria, who has ably led it since we joined this Parliament. For the first time, we have a Finance Bill that is not controversial. This is largely due to how the Committee executed its responsibilities in listening to the public. I must also extend appreciation to the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, who went out of his way to educate Kenyans on the contents of the Finance Bill during this cycle. You will recall that during the public participation forums organised by the National Treasury, there were instances where the Cabinet Secretary had to explain to Kenyans who had been misinformed by opponents of the broad-based Government. The narrative being spread was that the Bill would result in massive taxation, including taxes that do not even exist. Kenyans were being led to believe otherwise. I thank both the National Treasury and the Chairman and Members of the Committee for their coordinated efforts. Even when it appeared that we disagreed on the Floor of the House, we were simply testing our levels of understanding of the Bill’s contents. Going forward, we have resolved that both the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and the Budget and Appropriation Committee will work collaboratively to interpret the proposals in the Finance Bill and the Estimates. This cooperation will ensure harmony in the two critical pieces of legislation, all for the benefit of the Kenyan people. We all want Kenya to prosper, and we all desire to see our country grow. Therefore, I laud the Committee and thank the Members of this House who are still present and who have actively participated. As we move into the next session, where we shall begin deliberations on the final two Bills, the Appropriation Bill and the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill, I also urge Members to remain seated, so that we may collectively complete debate on these two very important components of our budget process. Thank you."},{"id":1588065,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588065/?format=json","text_counter":1147,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Peter Kaluma","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Atandi. Indeed, those two Bills shall be debated to conclusion today. Therefore, all those interested in participating in those matters should begin walking back into the chamber. Hon. Owen Baya."},{"id":1588066,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588066/?format=json","text_counter":1148,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Kilifi North, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Owen Baya","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wish to thank the Committee and all those who have participated in the debate on the Finance Bill 2025. I look forward to a time when this country shall handle one Finance Bill every two or three years, so that we are not compelled to continuously amend laws annually. At times, the numerous changes introduced through frequent amendments become lost in the process, and the law loses clarity. I look forward to a scenario where Hon. Kimani Kuria would sponsor a Finance Bill every three years, so that there is consistency in the application of tax laws and regulatory regimes. This would replace the current cycle, where each financial year brings a new taxation framework. Secondly, and I wish this could be heard even by those leaving the chamber, when I was a first-time Member in this House, some Members mentored and helped me understand the legislative process, particularly during the Third Reading of Bills. Hon. Millie-Mabona would always appear specifically for the Third Reading. I used to wonder why, since most of the sweetness in debate is experienced during the Second Reading. But she would arrive only for the Third Reading, and I came to understand that she had a tremendous influence on the laws that were passed in this House. Hon. Makali Mulu would also always be present. Hon. Pukose, and of course, the Temporary Speaker, Hon. TJ, and others, were among those who helped shape who we are today. However, when I look around now, I hardly see new faces showing interest in legislative The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."},{"id":1588067,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588067/?format=json","text_counter":1149,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Kilifi North, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Owen Baya","speaker":null,"content":"work, especially during the Third Reading. That should concern us as a House. Apart from Hon. Mayaka and perhaps now, Hon. Nyakundi, I do not see many new Members participating actively in the law-making process. Hon. Millie Odhiambo, I believe you have a responsibility to train other female Members to follow your example in legislative engagement, as Hon. Mayaka has done by consistently staying here. Even my friend from Mbooni, he too is always here during the Third Reading. That is where the actual law is made. That is where one makes a real difference for this country. It is not merely in the Second Reading where we engage in general talk. Hon. Temporary Speaker, we need to find a way to bring new entrants. Otherwise, I can assure you that if we have new Members in the 14th Parliament, we will have a problem during Third Reading and Committee of the whole House. I do not know what you will do, but the numbers in Third Reading are thinning which is not good for this country. I thank you."},{"id":1588068,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588068/?format=json","text_counter":1150,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Peter Kaluma","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" A chick that will grow into a cock is seen when it is hatched. From the time Hon. Irene Mayaka came to this House, we knew she would be a great legislator. Hon. Mayaka, make your contribution."},{"id":1588069,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588069/?format=json","text_counter":1151,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Nominated, ODM","speaker_title":"Hon. Irene Mayaka","speaker":null,"content":" I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. You know very well that I learn from the best. I also give my accolades to the Committee, that is led by fellow CPA Hon. Kimani Kuria, for this particular Finance Bill, especially the theme around encouraging policy rather than just looking at the common mwananchi to increase taxes. This is something I wish more legislators were here to listen to because we are the first people who should prosecute this matter in the courts of public opinion. The members of the public need to hear from us. We have experienced situations where people treat the Finance Bill as their enemy, without seeing the nitty-gritty of it. This particular one has shown us that we can draft and prosecute a Finance Bill that is beneficial to mwananchi. Even as I make my remarks and thank the Committee, I urge our parliamentary communication staff that when they post on our social media platforms, they need to show Kenyans their key and big wins so that they can learn that this is a very good Bill. My greatest benefit out of this Finance Bill, which I have spoken to twice, is no taxation on pension funds and retirement benefits. With those very few remarks, I urge Kenyans to familiarise themselves with this particular Finance Bill. It is a fantastic document. We need to encourage each other that the country is going in the right direction."},{"id":1588070,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588070/?format=json","text_counter":1152,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Peter Kaluma","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" The Question relevant to where we are, and all preceding matters, will be put when this business will come to the House in future."},{"id":1588071,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588071/?format=json","text_counter":1153,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Putting of the Question deferred)"}]}