Dr. Farida Karoney, EGH, Chairperson.

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Message from the Chairperson

Kenya is at an important moment in its national development journey. The enactment of the National Lottery Act, 2023 marked a significant milestone, establishing the National Lottery Board (NLB) to oversee Kenya’s first government-backed National Lottery. 

The Board was created to mobilise sustainable domestic resources, rebuild public confidence in the sector, and ensure that all funds raised are managed transparently for the benefit of the nation.

The National Lottery Board exists to serve the people of Kenya. Its responsibility is to ensure that the National Lottery operates in a secure, ethical, and inclusive manner that earns and sustains public trust. 

Every shilling raised must be accounted for and must deliver meaningful impact. Lottery proceeds will support charities and economic empowerment, sports, arts and culture, national heritage, signature transformation projects, and emergency response—reaching communities across all counties and advancing shared national progress.

This initiative goes beyond games of chance. It is a nation-building instrument that connects individual participation with collective responsibility, ensuring that opportunity contributes directly to national priorities.

As a newly constituted institution, the Board is committed to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, accountability, and responsible play. It is building a trusted public institution—one that clearly demonstrates how funds are used, who benefits, and the impact achieved.

The Board

The NLB Board Members and Executive Leadership

Dr. Christopher Kipruto, CBS

Principal Secretary, The National Treasury

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Ms. Ummi Bashir, CBS

Principal Secretary, State Department for Culture, The Arts and Heritage

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Hon. Dorcas Oduor, SC, OGW, EB

 Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya

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Ms. Teresia Jerusah Michael

Board Member

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Ms. Susan Akinyi

Board Member

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Bishop Gideon Gitonga Thuranira,


Board Member, Representative of Faith-Based Organizations

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Ms. Catherine Ochanda

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Alternate Director representing the Attorney General, State Law Office

Mr. George Stanley Njoroge

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 Alternate Director representing the Principal Secretary, State Department for Culture, The Arts and Heritage

Mr. Denis Kipruto

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Alternate Director representing the Principal Secretary, The National Treasury

Dr. Martin Talian, PhD, OGW

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Ag. Chief Executive Officer

Play for Kenya

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Dr. Farida Karoney, EGH Chairperson, National Lottery Board

Dr. Farida Karoney is the Chairperson of the National Lottery Board and a seasoned leader in governance, institutional reform, and strategic transformation. She brings extensive experience across public service, academia, and media, where she has led large-scale change initiatives and strengthened accountability systems.

 

Her expertise lies in strategic management, stakeholder engagement, and the design of frameworks that drive national development outcomes. She has held senior leadership and editorial roles and has contributed to shaping public discourse and institutional performance in Kenya.

 

Dr. Karoney holds a PhD in Business Administration (Strategy), an MBA in Strategic Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication, and a Bachelor of Science in Education.

 

She provides leadership to the Board in establishing a credible, transparent, and impactful National Lottery that delivers value to the public.

Dr. Christopher Kiptoo, CBS Principal Secretary, The National Treasury

Dr. Christopher Kiptoo is the Principal Secretary at the National Treasury with over 20 years’ experience in public finance, fiscal policy, and economic planning.

 

He has held senior roles including Director of Budget and Head of Fiscal and Economic Affairs, contributing to national budgeting frameworks, expenditure reforms, and macroeconomic policy development. He has also worked closely with international financial institutions on financing and economic stabilisation programmes.

 

Dr. Kiptoo holds a PhD in Finance (International Macroeconomics), an MSc in Agricultural Economics, and a BSc in Agricultural Economics. He is also an Accredited Fellow in Macroeconomic Management.

Ms. Ummi Bashir, CBS Principal Secretary, State Department for Culture, The Arts and Heritage

Ms. Ummi Bashir is the Principal Secretary for Culture, the Arts and Heritage and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over 14 years’ experience in legal practice and public service.

She has served in the United Nations system and held advisory roles supporting refugee policy and development programmes. Her work spans governance, diplomacy, and cultural policy.

She holds a Master’s degree in Armed Conflict and Peace Studies and is pursuing a PhD in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Law.

Ms. Bashir contributes to the Board through her expertise in governance, cultural development, and stakeholder coordination, ensuring alignment of the National Lottery with national social and cultural priorities.

Hon. Dorcas Oduor, SC, OGW, EBS Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya

Hon. Dorcas Oduor is the Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya and the Government’s principal legal adviser.

 

She has held senior roles within the State Law Office, including Deputy Solicitor General, and has extensive experience in constitutional law, legislative drafting, public procurement, and international legal cooperation.

 

She is a Senior Counsel and Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, holding an LLB and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law.

 

On the Board, she provides legal oversight to ensure the National Lottery operates within established statutory and regulatory frameworks, with strong emphasis on compliance, governance, and public accountability.

Ms. Teresia Jerusah Michael Board Member

Ms. Teresia Jerusah Michael is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a certified mediator with experience in legal advisory, dispute resolution, and public sector engagement.

 

She has over a decade of combined experience across law and alternative dispute resolution and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

 

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and is completing a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Corporate and Financial Law.

 

Her contribution to the Board focuses on legal governance, dispute resolution frameworks, and strengthening institutional accountability mechanisms.

Ms. Susan Akinyi Board Member

Ms. Susan Akinyi is a finance and governance professional with experience in audit, risk management, and institutional oversight.

 

She has served in senior financial administration roles, supporting the development of strong internal controls and accountability systems.

 

Her expertise supports the Board’s mandate in financial stewardship, transparency, and governance of public resources under the National Lottery framework.

Bishop Gideon Gitonga Thuranira, Board Member – Representative of Faith-Based Organizations

Bishop Gideon Thuranira is a faith leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for community development.

 

He is the Founder and Senior Pastor of House of Grace International Ministries and has led initiatives focused on youth empowerment, values-based leadership, and socio-economic transformation.

 

He also has interests in real estate and business, bringing a blend of private sector insight and community leadership.

 

On the Board, he provides perspective on ethical governance, responsible gaming, and the alignment of National Lottery proceeds with community and social impact priorities.

Ms. Catherine Ochanda Alternate Director representing the Attorney General

Ms. Catherine Ochanda is a State Counsel specialising in legislative drafting, public sector legal advisory, and regulatory framework development.

 

She has contributed to the development and review of statutory instruments across government, ensuring alignment with constitutional and administrative law.

 

She holds an LLB, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law, and certifications in legislative drafting and public policy.

 

She supports the Board on legal compliance, regulatory alignment, and contractual structuring.

Mr. George Stanley Njoroge Alternate Director representing the Principal Secretary – State Department for Culture, The Arts and Heritage

Mr. George Njoroge is a public policy practitioner and Assistant Director for Culture with experience in research, policy development, and government advisory.

 

He has served across multiple public institutions including UNESCO and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, contributing to policy coordination and programme development.

 

He holds a BA in African Literature and Communications and is pursuing postgraduate studies in strategic communications and governance.

 

He brings expertise in cultural policy, stakeholder engagement, and public sector coordination.

Mr. Denis Kipruto Alternate Director representing the Principal Secretary – The National Treasury

Mr. Denis Kipruto is a public finance and economic policy professional with experience in fiscal planning, budgeting, and public expenditure management.

 

He has contributed to national resource allocation frameworks and financial policy implementation within government.

 

He provides input on financial governance, revenue optimisation, and alignment of the National Lottery with national fiscal priorities.

Dr. Martin Talian, PhD, OGW Ag. Chief Executive Officer With Effect from 15th January 2026

Dr. Martin Talian is the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery Board, responsible for operationalising its mandate, institutional setup, and procurement of the National Lottery Operator.

 

He has extensive experience in public administration and policy implementation, having held senior government roles.

 

He holds a PhD in Sustainable Development and advanced training in government analytics and strategic management.

 

He leads execution, stakeholder coordination, and operational readiness of the National Lottery.