President William Ruto appointed billionaire Narendra Raval to lead the task force that will establish the National Lottery.
In a special gazette notice dated Friday, February 17, Ruto noted that the lottery proceeds will be used for good causes.
"His Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto has appointed a Presidential Taskforce on the establishment of a National Lottery to harness the collective synergies among the public in being part of the solution through participating in a national lottery.
"Proceeds will contribute towards good causes and the amelioration of the plight of persons in need," read part of the notice.
According to the president, this shall be structured in two tiers: the Steering Committee and the Technical Committee.
Gideon G Thuranira will deputise Narendra Raval in the Steering Committee, while Linda Musumba will be the chairperson of the Technical Committee.
Other Steering committee members included Principal Secretary, National Treasury, or his Representative, Principal Secretary. Interior or his representative, Principal Secretary, Social Protection or his representative, Representative of Governors, Paul Russo, Judith Karigu Kiragu, Anne Wakathiru Njenga, Grace Kaman, Abdillahi K. Mutwafy and Jackline Chelangat Tonui.
While those on the Technical Committee included Wanjiku Wakogi, Eric Aligula (Dr.), Collins Kiprono, Peter Mbugi, Fred Mbasi, Eric Korir, Wilson Njenga Catherine Ochanda, Geoffrey Malombe, and Murimi Murage.
The committees were required to undertake a comprehensive review of the best practices on establishing national lotteries in other jurisdictions and develop the policy and implementation plan to guide the establishment and operationalisation of the National Lottery in Kenya.
Additionally, the committees were tasked with facilitating the necessary consultations with all key stakeholders in the country on establishing the lottery.
Conclusively, the committees will examine the existing administrative, institutional, policy, and legislative, structures and systems in the betting and gaming industry and recommend comprehensive reforms.
In 2019, Kenya also made an attempt to establish the National Lottery through the proposed 2019, Gaming Bill. It was expected to replace the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act.
Treasury had anticipated to collect Ksh15 billion from the industry in 2023 compared to the financial year that ended in June 2022 where it grossed Ksh3.294 billion.
Meanwhile, in November 2022, Raval claimed that his association with Ruto led to his victimisation. He claimed that all state machinery was used against him.
"We would not sleep, they would frame you and send state officials to you. They took our telephones, and computers and closed the businesses," he lamented.
