The National Assembly has received President William Ruto’s approval of the National Lottery Bill and the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF) Bill as of 11 December 2023.
The bill seeks to establish a new national lottery, which the government will run. This lottery will allow Kenyans to win life-changing prizes while supporting national development and social causes. A National Lottery Board will also be established. It will administrate and manage the lottery and distribute funds raised through it.
President Ruto also signed an amendment to the NGCDF Act, making the funds available to finance additional projects that address pressing needs such as climate mitigation, digital hub development, and school feeding programs.
The Act allocates up to 5% of the funds to projects that support afforestation, reforestation, community outreach, and tree seedling production. These efforts will help mitigate climate change at the local level while also promoting sustainability and long-term environmental health.
3% of the NGCDF will be used to maintain constituency digital hubs. These hubs play a critical role in equipping the youth with the skills they need to succeed in a technology-driven world.
The National Lottery Bill, 2023, sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, is a significant step towards strengthening national development and social welfare in Kenya. It will also boost the country’s economy through increased revenue.