Tougher fundraising rules for Kenyans

President William Ruto suffered a blow in his bid to regulate harambees after senators rejected a bill that technically bars them from participating in the fund-raising drives.

In a near-unanimous rejection, the lawmakers said the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill, 2024, will erode the “brotherhood” spirit harambees have instilled over the years.

Harambee, (all pull together in Kiswahili), is the official motto of Kenya, appearing on its coat of arms.

It is a long-standing tradition of community self-help, raising money for development, projects, building a church, and even paying medical bills for those unable to pay.

Harambees have been criticised because many politicians donate large sums, especially to churches, to ingratiate themselves with residents and woo votes.