Molo Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the National Assembly Finance Committee, Kuria Kimani, found himself in a quandary today after disclosing that he received Ksh168,000 from members of the public, who were verifying his phone number.
During the parliamentary session on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, where he was presenting the Finance Bill 2024 for its second reading, Kimani admitted to receiving the funds through SMS messages sent by Kenyans seeking to confirm his contact details.
While expressing gratitude for the validation, he also acknowledged concerns over potential breaches of data protection laws.
“I am grateful to those who reached out via SMS to verify my number, although this method may have inadvertently violated data protection regulations,” Kimani stated.
He further elaborated on his dilemma of handling the funds, emphasizing the legal complexities involved in accepting public contributions.
Seeking guidance on the matter, Kimani indicated that he had approached the National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, for advice on how to proceed.
“Receiving these gifts from members of the public is against the laws of this Republic, and I have already sought advice on how best to handle this situation,” he clarified.
In contrast to Kimani’s disclosure, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya had previously acknowledged receiving Ksh40,000 through similar means and opted to utilize the funds for a charitable cause at a recent church fundraiser in Kakamega County.
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