Kenyans will be required to obtain licenses for fundraisers, popularly known as Harambees if a newly proposed bill gets the approval of Parliament.
The Public Fundraiser’s Bill 2019 is sponsored by Ndaragwa Member of Parliament Jeremiah Kioni. It also seeks to lockout State officials such as MPs, Senators, Governors, and MCAs from participating in fundraisers.
The bill proposes the setting up of a team to vet applications for Harambees and bars Kenyans from holding fund drives without permits.
“A person shall not conduct a public fundraising appeal unless they apply and obtain a license,” reads the proposed bill in part.
The bill further requires contributors to declare the amount contributed, source of income and file an annual tax declaration with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
There have been public concerns over the abuse of Harambees by politicians and members of the public, either to solicit funds or woo voters.
Politicians and graft lords have been accused of using fundraisers as an avenue for money laundering. National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi had earlier proposed that politician’s contributions in Harambee’s be capped at Sh100,000 to stem money laundering.
Why punish ordinary Kenyans?…
Why punish ordinary Kenyans? Would be much easier for them to require office holders to maintain a list of their generosity, that’s shared with KRA. No need to over budden neighbors helping neighbors.