NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 18 – President William Ruto has appointed a 25 -member presidential taskforce to mobilize resources to supplement the Government’s efforts towards addressing various social causes and needs.
The gazette notice dated 16th February 2023 stated that the presidential taskforce shall be structured in two tiers, namely the Steering Committee and the Technical Committee.
The steering committee will be chaired by Kenyan tycoon Narendra Raval who runs the Devki Group of companies and will be deputized by Gideon Thuranira.
The term of the Presidential Taskforce shall be a period of three months with the Secretariat of the Taskforce domiciled at the Office of the President.
“NOW THEREFORE, to harness the collective synergies among the public in being part of the solution through participating in a national lottery whose proceeds will contribute towards good causes and the amelioration of the plight of persons in need, it is notified that His Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto, PhD, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, has appointed a Presidential Taskforce on establishment of a National Lottery,” stated the gazette notice.
Members of the committee shall comprise of the National Treasury Principal Secretary or his Representative, Interior Principal Secretary or his representative and Social Protection Principal Secretary or his representative.
The Culture and Heritage Principal Secretary or her representative will also sit in the steering committee, the Solicitor-General or his representative and Representative of the Council of Governors.
Others appointed by the President to serve as members of the Steering Committee are Paul Russo, Judith Karigu Kiragu, Anne Wakathiru Njenga, Grace Kamau, Abdillahi K. Mutwafy and Jackline Chelangat Tonui.
The technical committee will be chaired by Linda Musumba and it will include Wanjiku Wakogi; Eric Aligula (Dr.); Collins Kiprono; Peter Mbugi; Fred Mbasi and Geoffrey Malombe.
The Presidential taskforce will be responsible to develop the policy and implementation plan that will guide the establishment and operationalization of the National Lottery in Kenya.
“To facilitate the necessary consultations with all key stakeholders in the country on the establishment of a National Lottery; that will support and facilitate a sustainable framework for the implementation and operation of the National Lottery,” the gazette notice read.
They will also develop a prioritized implementation matrix that clearly states the immediate, medium, and long-term sectoral reforms and the attendant budgetary requirements necessary for the efficient operation of the National Lottery among other duties.
There have been varied attempts to establish this National Lottery, such as the Gaming Bill, 2019, which would have repealed the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (Cap. 131) Laws of Kenya) enacted in 1966.
