Bill to check fundraiser system in offing

Anyone wishing to raise money through the harambee system will have to first secure a permit, if a proposed law tabled in the Senate is passed.

The ad-hoc committee established to look into the popular fundraising system has established a Bill, which among other things, requires one to acquire a licence before collecting money through the fundraising system.

The Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2014, proposes the establishment of Public Fundraising Appeals committees both at the national and county levels to receive, vet and process applications for the issuance of such licences.

The committees will also investigate any complaints on misuse of such funds among other functions. Parliament and county assemblies will provide oversight over these committees.

“The Bill seeks to replace the public collections Act whose institutional architecture does not align with county government and is not sufficiently robust to address corruption tendencies associated with voluntary contributions,” says the eleven member committee chaired by Kisumu Senator Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o.

And to reduce the culture of dependence of harambees, the Bill seeks to restrict appeal for private matters within the circle of family and friends and have public appeals for essentially public purposes.

If enacted, fundraising appeals will be categorised into three; public fundraising for public purposes, public fundraising for private purposes and private appeals. However, the latter will not be regulated by the proposed law.

Also excluded for the purview of the Bill are activities authorised or permitted under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, money or property from religious collection such as tithes and offerings.

“The Bill establishes elaborate licensing procedures in order to adequately vet proposed fundraising appeals before the public makes contributions to the intended appeals,” says the committee’s report.