President William Ruto has appointed Narendra Naval to chair a 14-member steering committee on the establishment of the National Lottery.
Mr Raval is the owner of Devki Group of companies, East Africa’s largest building materials company.
In a gazette notice dated Friday, February 17, 2023, the Head of State noted that the proceeds from the lottery will be used to help the needy.
The 25-member task force will be structured into two tiers; the Steering Committee will be deputised by Gideon G Thuranira and the Technical Committee which will be headed by Linda Musumba.
“To harness the collective synergies among the public in being part of the solution through participating in a national lottery whose proceeds will contribute towards good causes and the amelioration of the plight of persons in need,
“It is notified that his Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto has appointed a Presidential Taskforce on the establishment of a national lottery which shall be structured in two tiers,” the notice reads in parts.
Narendra Raval is a steel tycoon. He is one of the wealthiest people in Kenya.
Other members of the steering committee include; 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.
The technical committee on the other hand will comprise Wanjiku Wakogi, Eric Aligula, Collins Kiprono, Peter Mbugi, Fred Mbasi, Geoffrey Malombe, Eric Korir, Wilson Njenga, Catherine Ochanda and Murimi Murage.
Following the appointments, the committee will be expected to undertake a comprehensive review of the best practices for the establishment of national lotteries in other jurisdictions.
It is also required to develop the policy and implementation plan that will guide the establishment and operationalization of the lottery.
At the same time, the committee will be required to facilitate the necessary consultations with all key stakeholders in the country on the establishment of the national lottery.
Further, the committee will also examine the existing administrative, institutional, policy, and legislative structures and systems in the betting and gaming industry and subsequently recommend comprehensive reforms.