Kenneth Odhiambo Okoth

All parliamentary appearances

Entries 561 to 570 of 979.

• 16 Dec 2015 in National Assembly: With those few remarks, I duly say, I oppose the Motion. view
• 18 Nov 2015 in National Assembly: Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support this Bill. A lot has been said on it and I want to emphasise a few points that may not have been touched on. view
• 18 Nov 2015 in National Assembly: When we think about taxes and the point that the Chair has just raised about corruption, it is true that corruption is a big risk to this country’s welfare. It is hurting this country worse than terrorism has in the last few years. The number of mothers dying in hospitals because they lack healthcare or children denied the right to education because of corruption and wasted resources--- The number of farmers whose produce cannot reach markets because roads have not been constructed to the right standard and in the place they need them are all negative effects of corruption and ... view
• 18 Nov 2015 in National Assembly: Under the Kibaki administration, Kenya was in a very good place in terms of tax collection. We moved away from depending a lot on foreign loans for the management of our country’s Budget. We were depending on ourselves. This Tax Procedures Bill gives us an opportunity to make a good law and push the authorities and civil servants to do a great job. The KRA cannot afford to be sleeping on the job. We need to be a self-dependent country, and this starts with a 100 per cent compliance, or as near as possible to 100 per cent, with the ... view
• 18 Nov 2015 in National Assembly: This year’s Budget is about Kshs2.1 trillion. The KRA has collected just about Kshs1 trillion or less. We should get to a point where the KRA consistently collects Kshs1.5 trillion. A few months ago, the economy of Kenya was re-based and we were re-classified not as a low income country, but as a middle income country. We must make sure that we are meeting the parameters and measurements of collecting money, in reality the taxes that match with the size of this economy. view
• 18 Nov 2015 in National Assembly: As we talk about raising taxes, we also have to think about some proactive tax policies and measures that can help this country, especially that are pro-poor; an example is taxation on things like kerosene. We are still subsidising kerosene in Kenya while Uganda and Tanzania, which are our partners in the East African Community, have moved away from that. We can use a taxation and subsidies policy in some of these things to make sure we are achieve other commitments, for instance, moving towards a green economy. view
• 18 Nov 2015 in National Assembly: On the other hand, while we subsidise kerosene, we are also taxing a lot on the importation of things such as solar panels and batteries. We are not training enough people on how to install solar technology cheaply and affordably in our homes, schools, hospitals and community centres. Those are the type of things that with proper tax procedures and tax choices, we can create a new industry and become the hub of a green economy, where our young people can expect to use the solar industry in the production, installation and maintenance--- This is recycling to complete the green ... view
• 18 Nov 2015 in National Assembly: When poor recycling procedures are used, there is an impact on the environment and people’s lives. As we talk about taxes and tax collection procedures, we must also look at tax policies that are pro-poor, like not levying tax on items such as books and school related information technology (IT). In its manifesto the Jubilee Government talked about laptops in schools. All our schools need proper IT equipment and laboratories besides the laptop device. That is a fact and we should also make sure that books are cheap. We are one in only four countries in the whole of the ... view
• 18 Nov 2015 in National Assembly: The issue of illicit financial flows is important. We have to look at our tax collection procedures, especially on corporate taxes, and make sure that any agreement and treaty that Kenya signs with other countries is brought to this House, which is the House that represents the interests of the Kenyan people. Treaties and agreements should be brought here for debate, 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. view
• 18 Nov 2015 in National Assembly: ratification and necessary adjustments. I am aware of a treaty that was signed between Kenya and Mauritius on double taxation arrangements. That treaty has not been brought to this House, yet it is awaiting implementation. view