Members of Parliament have passed the Public Fundraisers Appeals Bill which seeks to regulate fundraisers popularly known as 'harambees' in the country.
The bill will now be presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta, and if ascended into law, all fundraisers will be regulated by the Public Collections Committee chaired by Principal Secretary for social protection.
Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee chairperson Jeremiah Kioni sponsored the bill in parliament, arguing that some of the fundraisers called for by churches, schools, groups, and individuals were ill motived.
File image of Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee chairperson Jeremiah Kioni. |Photo| Courtesy|
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The lawmaker reiterated that the new law will provide a legal framework with which harambees can be conducted orderly and truthfully.
"Organisers will now be accountable for the money they receive from such meetings. Furthermore, the law opens a door for the Auditor General to audit the funds," Kioni who is the MP for Ndaragwa stated.
He, however, clarified that the law would only be applicable for fundraisers seeking public support. This excludes private family events.
"With the passage of the new law, harambees will now be regulated. We have introduced a level of accountability in the manner in which fund drives are conducted," Nominated MP David Ole Sankok added.
Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi accused some institutions of misusing the funds collected during fundraisers, noting that in most instances the purpose of the drive is never known to the public.
Once passed into law, holding a fundraiser will require one to apply to the National Committee or the relevant County Policing Committee which will determine the weight of the cause, to deny or approve the request.
The application must include the name of individual/institution, the physical address, and the purpose of the drive.
The bill also requires that the organiser provide the date of the event and the details of the person assisting in conducting the harambee.
