- The appointment signals the president Ruto's commitment to operationalising the National Lottery Act.
- The Lottery Bill was assented into law last December.
Image: Handout
Former Lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney has made a comeback to government, this time landing a job as a parastatal head.
Karoney has been named the chairperson of the National Lottery Board.
In a Gazette Notice dated August 22, President William Ruto picked her to steer the board for a period of three years.
Her appointment takes effect from August 23, 2024.
Karoney's appointment signals President Ruto's commitment to operationalising the National Lottery Act.
The Lottery Bill was assented into law last December.
It establishes the National Lottery Fund, whose objective is to retain and disburse the proceeds of the National Lottery.
“The National Lottery Board shall facilitate the equitable distribution of resources for good causes to all parts of Kenya, so as to ensure uniform benefit to all Kenyans,” read a dispatch from State House.
The membership of the board will be drawn from institutional representatives as well as independent members.
A national lottery is a type of game that depends on luck for the player to win.
It is operated by the government or an operator permitted by the government that allows the public to purchase tickets for a chance to win a large sum of money or other prizes.
The main purpose of a national lottery is to support good causes and improve the quality of life of citizens through identified good causes.
Through the proceeds of ticket sales and taxation of winnings, the government generates revenue to support various public initiatives or programs.
The government or the operator shall come up with the following essentials to run a competitive national lottery-game design, ticket sales and prize payouts.
It will also come up with drawings, regulations and oversight, use of proceeds and transparency and accountability of Lottery proceeds.
Participation in the lottery is open to persons above 18 years of age only including foreigners.
Karoney served as a CS during retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's tenure.