I agree with those who say Harambees should be regulated. It needs to be regulated for better management and protection against abuse by politicians.

There are so many funds that have been transferred. We have a fair share that goes directly to the counties.

We have the government’s National Constituency Development Fund and now we have ward development, which in my case is unconstitutional.

These funds went to wards, sub-counties and counties.

These funds are supposedly overseen by politicians who are mostly Harambees’ chief guests.

They are supposed to ensure that these funds are used correctly. But when people become too philanthropic and want to appear so nice, they try to use corrupt means to deceive and lure the poor.

Harambee was a good thing when we achieved independence. This helped marginalized Kenyans who were ostracized by whites.

Therefore, it was necessary for the Harambees to boost infrastructure development. But more than 60 years later, Harambee is no longer useful. We have come of age thanks to the many funds that the Constitution has delegated to us. Yes, Harambee can still be used for a good cause.

For example, when a person is stuck and needs money to settle their hospital bills or pay their school fees, Harambee will come in handy.

But Harambee must now be regulated so that it is not exploited by greedy politicians, who want to use ill-gotten money to manipulate poor Kenyans. In the final days of the last regime, Fred Matiangi, then CS for Interior, declared that many people who were vying for political seats were money launderers and washers.

And it is true that some of our current leaders have been involved in these dirty games of fake gold and many others.

Today, they are using the name Harambee to clean up their money and deceive desperate Kenyans. This should be regulated.

The law should be put in place to tame those who wish to use Harambee to clean up dirty money.

The Executive Director of the Kenya National Civil Society Center spoke to the Star