President William Ruto has issued a directive prohibiting all state and public officials from engaging in fundraising activities, commonly referred to as harambees. He has tasked Attorney General Justin Muturi with the responsibility of drafting a legislation that will provide clear guidelines for transparent contributions. This move comes as a significant step towards ensuring accountability and integrity in public fundraising efforts.
The call by President Ruto to regulate harambees is not a new concept, as previous attempts by Parliament to address this issue have been unsuccessful. Both the 11th and 12th parliament made efforts to legislate measures that would govern contributions, but these attempts were futile. The failure of these previous initiatives has put immense pressure on lawmakers to develop effective legislation that will effectively guide fundraising activities in the country.
During the 11th Parliament, former Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o introduced the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill, 2014, which aimed to establish strict regulations for individuals seeking to conduct harambees. One of the key provisions of the Bill was the requirement for obtaining a license before organizing any fundraising appeal. Despite receiving support in the Senate, the Bill faced opposition in the National Assembly and was ultimately rejected. This history of unsuccessful attempts to regulate harambees underscores the importance of President Ruto’s recent directive to establish transparent mechanisms for public contributions.