Farida Karoney takes charge as Chairperson of Kenya's National Lottery Board

Former Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Lottery Board for a three-year term, effective August 23, 2024. This announcement was made by President William Ruto in a Gazette Notice dated August 22, 2024.

Karoney, who holds a Bachelor of Education degree in Science from Kenyatta University and an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi, previously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning from January 2018 until 2022. In that role, she oversaw land management and policy regulations in Kenya.

Her new appointment reflects President Ruto's commitment to operationalizing the National Lottery Act, which was enacted in December 2023. The Act established the National Lottery Board as a corporate entity responsible for supervising and controlling the National Lottery, developing fraud prevention mechanisms, and making policy recommendations.

The National Lottery Board is tasked with ensuring the equitable distribution of resources for good causes across Kenya. The board's membership will include representatives from various institutions as well as independent members.

The National Lottery aims to generate revenue to support charitable initiatives and improve the quality of life for citizens. It will operate under a framework that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and responsible gaming practices, with participation open to individuals aged 18 and above.

In addition to Karoney's appointment, the Kenyan government is also working on the Gambling Control Bill, which seeks to establish a new Gambling Regulatory Authority to enhance regulatory measures within the gambling sector.