• The Annual NGO Sector Report 2022-23 launched Tuesday indicates the investment in various charitable areas increased by Sh12.4 billion compared to the previous year.
• The PS said he was concerned only 2,828 out of 12,000 registered NGOs filed their annual reports as required by law.
Image: RAYMOND OMOLLO/X
Non-governmental organisations spent Sh197.9 billion on projects last financial year, a report shows.
The Annual NGO Sector Report 2022-23 launched Tuesday indicates the investment in various charitable areas increased by Sh12.4 billion compared to the previous year.
Interior PS Raymond Omollo said the funds were allocated to various sectors, including health, education, welfare, agriculture, water and sanitation.
In a speech read by Principal Administrative Secretary Njenga Miiri during the launch at KICC, Omollo lauded the partnership between NGOs and the government on development issues. NGOs are now called public benefit organisations (PBOs) following the operationalisation of PBO Act, 2013, last month.
The PS, however, said he was concerned only 2,828 out of 12,000 registered NGOs filed their annual reports as required by law.
“Despite having more than 10,000 active NGOs, the actual contribution of this sector to the economy remains unclear due to these reporting deficiencies,” he said.
Omollo directed the PBO Authority to take firm action against non-compliant PBOs as per the law, including deregistering those that had not filed their reports for long.
He said the government operationalised the PBO Act as part of its commitment to provide an enabling environment for non-state actors to operate effectively and enjoy the civic rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.
The PS challenged NGOs to embrace transparency in their funding sources and expenditure.
The launch marked the start of NGOs Week 2024, an event aimed at providing a platform for charitable organisations to showcase what they do and share experiences.
Omollo said this year’s NGOs Week theme 'Building Synergy for a Sustainable Future' was a rallying call on all non-profits operated for charitable purposes to work together with stakeholders, including the government to create more impact in society.
“The PBO sector has long been recognised as crucial actors in driving sustainable development and working at the forefront to address pressing societal challenges,” he said.
He praised NGOs for working with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) to deal with the effects of floods that affected various parts of the country.
The PS said local and international NGOs provided emergency relief, including food, clean water, medical supplies, hygiene kits, education materials and temporary shelter to affected communities.
The implementation of the PBO Act requires active participation of all stakeholders.
“The Act provides a broader civic space and is arguably one of the most progressive legislation in guaranteeing the freedom of association and assembly as provided for in Article 36 of our Constitution,” Omollo said.
He said the law provided a framework for collaboration and a robust framework for PBO registration and regulation.
It enhances transparency, accountability and efficiency in PBOs and could ultimately promote sustainable programmes.
PBO Authority chairman Mwambu Mabonga urged charitable organisations to double their efforts in supporting the needy and vulnerable.
Referring to the biblical parable of the good Samaritan, he asked NGOs to be good neighbours by assisting those in extreme need in their areas of operation.
Mabonga said the authority would work with all stakeholders to implement the new law.
Executive director Mutuma Nkanata said the authority would provide policy guidelines to all NGOs on transition to the new legal regime.
He said the authority was working with stakeholders to develop regulations that will govern registration and regulation of the sector.
“Pursuant to the authority’s policy guideline role, continue to publish the Annual NGO Sector Report and provide guidance to PBOs on Kenya’s national development plan, including aligning their programmes to the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda,” Nkanata said.