Ruto: Public Fundraising Appeals Bill to be published Friday

President William Ruto announced on Thursday that the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill is ready for publication, set to be released Friday.

This announcement follows the recent presidential directive banning state officers and public servants from participating in Harambees (public fundraising events).

A confidential memo dated July 7 from Head of Public Service Felix Koskei emphasized that while the spirit of Harambee fosters nation-building, it has been tarnished by perceptions of corruption and abuse of office.

Koskei reiterated the President’s directive: “No State officer and public servant shall participate in public collections (Harambees) henceforth.”

Koskei underscored that all public officers must adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct and ensure strict compliance with the directive, including all officers under their supervision.

This directive aligns with national principles and values of governance as outlined in Article 10 of the Constitution, the Public Officers Ethics Act, the Public Service Commission Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the Public Collections Act.

The memo was distributed to all state officers, including clerks of assemblies, governors, the Attorney General, cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Auditor General, the Controller of Budget, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, and chairpersons and CEOs of state corporations and constitutional commissions.

Koskei stated that service commissions have been mandated to supervise compliance with the new policy in collaboration with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) by establishing an institutional framework for monitoring adherence.

“This framework is an interim administrative State Intervention until a law facilitating structured and transparent contributions for public, charitable, and philanthropic purposes is enacted,” Koskei noted.

The service commissions involved include the Public Service Commission, Parliamentary Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Teachers Service Commission, and Police Service Commission.

President Ruto, in his July 5 address to the nation, declared that no state officer would be allowed to participate in fundraising activities going forward.

This directive came after public outcry over state officials flaunting large sums of cash at charitable events, raising questions about the sources of these funds amid a struggling economy and planned tax increases.

“The Attorney General is hereby directed to prepare and submit legislation to this effect and develop a mechanism for structured and transparent contributions for public, charitable, and philanthropic purposes,” Ruto stated.