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{
    "id": 1496875,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1496875/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 97,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "There was a big conversation about how we regulate and provide an environment where harambees are not banned. There is a good measure of control. We went out and sought public opinion. Mr. Speaker, Sir, somebody from the Secretariat spoke to me today. Curiously, you may want to take time to read through the memoranda that Kenyans sent. However, it may not reflect what was being said at that particular time. What people were saying is that they do not want us in public fundraisers. Now there is a proposed law before Parliament. Many people were sharing clips about a certain politician carrying money, including the church and other things. This time round, when they sent their memoranda, they said something slightly different. Therefore, that is a question that we will need to answer another time. We have a Bill before us where we are being told the process through which you can regulate, including even the ones that are done at the village level. We have provided in the Bill, which I will go clause by clause. Reports will even be filed with our county assemblies, so that you can tell how many public fundraising appeals were issued in Garissa County in a particular financial year. Whether they achieved the purpose for which they were intended. Therefore, this is a good start. The Bill has 40 Clauses. Like I mentioned, the principal object is to provide and establish a regulatory mechanism at both national and county level to oversee the conduct of fundraising appeals to provide for licensing and regulation of fundraisers, the promotion of transparency and accountability in the conduct of fundraising appeals and also regulate the conduct of state and public officers in participation of public fundraising appeals and the administration of this legislation. This Bill has just begun its life in Parliament. The Senate is the first place where it is being considered. Kenyans have sent their views. I want to believe that now that this Bill has been formally moved, there is even bound to be more debate about it. Mr. Speaker, Sir, at a church that I attended last Sunday, where Sen. Wambua is a well-respected elder, that is African Inland Church (AIC) Ziwani, the bishop who I suspect is an employer of Sen. Wambua, is a good gentleman who preached quite an interesting sermon. The bishop spoke about excuses that people give for not giving. Some say that they are not sure how the funds are used by the administrators of a church. In concluding his sermon, he turned to me and said: “Senator, by the way I am aware there is a Bill before the Senate on the conduct of fundraising. I hope it will not be another reason for people not to give in churches.” I want to confirm to him and the country, like I did on that Sunday, as I move this Bill, that this is not an attempt to stop people from contributing in public fundraisers. There will be an opportunity for the region to contribute. However, more importantly, there will be an opportunity for non-state and public officers to continue fundraising. We may perhaps not agree. I have been told the committee will propose ways in which you regulate. Maybe the word “licensing” is a bit strong. Maybe notification will be important, so that you file a particular report on how this exercise is done and conducted. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}