MPs shoot down bill to regulate harambees

Majority Leader Aden Duale addresses Somali Community during their meeting in Mombasa County on Sunday 2, 2016. [Photo/Kelvin Karani/Standard]

MPs have rejected a proposal seeking to regulate public fundraising commonly referred to as 'harambees'.

Members of the National Assembly voted to reject the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill, 2014; trashing attempts to provide a legal framework for fundraising.

The bill sponsored by Kisumu Senator Anyang' Nyong'o which has already been passed by the Senate will now have to go before a mediation committee of the two houses for the contentious issues to be ironed out.

A controversial clause of strict requirement for one to apply for a license every time before you conduct a fundraiser for whatever reason that was included in the bill was cited as reason for its shoot down.

"A person who intends to conduct a fundraising appeal will not do so unless a person has applied for and obtained a license in accordance with the provisions of the Act," reads the bill in part.

It adds: "The principal object of this bill is to provide for the establishment of regulatory mechanisms at the national and county levels, which oversee the conduct of fundraising appeals, to provide for the licensing and regulation of fundraisers."

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale while contributing to the bill opposed it saying many needy Kenyans will suffer if it is enacted into law.

"In my community and where I come from, charity and giving is a virtue. People contribute money to build mosques and schools. People contribute to send children to school and most of us are beneficiaries. There is no way we can stop this practice," argued the Garissa Township MP.

House Speaker Justin Muturi said the bill will have to be taken before a joint house mediation committee to iron out the contentious issues.

Concern has recently been raised by Opposition leaders on the huge amount of money donated by Government officials, especially Deputy President William Ruto in high profile harambees across the country.

CORD leader Raila Odinga has in the past claimed that the millions donated by Mr Ruto each weekend at fundraising across the country could be proceeds of the Eurobond cash.