President Ruto Assents to The National Lottery Bill
On Monday, December 11, 2023, President William Ruto endorsed and enacted The National Lottery Bill, making it an official law.
Accompanied by Deputy President Gachagua, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, and additional leaders from the house, President William Ruto approved the legislation, which is anticipated to have significant and widespread effects.
But what is the National Lottery Bill and what does it seek to achieve?
The 2023 National Lottery Bill, proposed by Kimani Ichung’wah, the Majority Leader in the National Assembly and Member of Parliament representing Kikuyu, aims to create the necessary legal structure for the formation of a National Lottery administered by the central government.
Ichung’wah’s proposal aims to create a committee responsible for overseeing the National Lottery. This committee will consist of members chosen from various institutions and independent individuals. It will prioritize diversity by including individuals with disabilities and representatives from religious organizations among its members.
The National Lottery will utilize a game structure akin to well-known lotteries such as the Kenya Charity Sweepstakes and Lotto.
Similar to television game shows, the government or its designated representative will oversee a game where contestants will rely on chance to win rewards.
The proceeds from the lottery will then be used to finance noble causes.
These factors comprise economic empowerment programs, sports, leisure pursuits, artistic endeavors, cultural and national heritage, significant development endeavors, and unforeseen crises.
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Moreover, the funds will also be directed towards initiatives for social advancement, including Universal Health Care (UHC), assistance to small businesses, fostering economic growth, and providing scholarships.
To back the sports industry, earnings from the National Lottery will be used to aid national teams’ participation in both domestic and global tournaments.
“The fund will also help identify, nurture develop talents in sports as well as facilitate training and facility-building programs.” a govt statement on the law reads in part.
The committee will also help distribute resources for beneficial purposes across all regions of Kenya, ensuring that all Kenyans benefit equally. The funds will be accessible to both governmental and non-governmental entities to ensure inclusivity and prevent anyone from being excluded.
“The net effect of this will be the stimulation of the growth of the micro, small and medium enterprise sector (SMEs). This will be key in keeping with the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda which seeks to address the challenges facing the country’s economy and in a bid to stimulate economic recovery and bolster resilience.” the brief further reads.
President Ruto Assents to The National Lottery Bill
