The Public Benefit Organizations (PBO) Act is set to come into effect on Tuesday, (May 14), Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has said.
This follows the gazettement of the commencement of operation on May 9, 2024, by the Interior CS.
In a statement ahead of the Act coming to effect, Kindiki said the new law, provides a comprehensive and transparent framework for the registration and regulation of civil society entities operating within the territory of Kenya.
"The Act expedites their registration process, reduces chances of whimsical administrative discretion in the registration of PBOs, closes all windows for arbitrariness and offers a litany of tax and other benefits for registered PBOs," the CS said.
He went on to say that the law provides for an inclusive, participatory and open society, which is good for the country.
The Interior CS said the new law also fortifies the country's democratic credentials, in addition to backing Kenya's values for transparent governance.
Kindiki added that the operationalisation of the law, whose implementation was frozen for 11 years after enactment in 2013, is a major step in fulfilling the current administration's campaign pledges.
"Gratified to see the fulfilment of yet another of the Kenya Kwanza Administration's pre-election manifesto pledges; namely, the promotion of inclusive and participatory governance, fostering accountability and welcoming alternative or even critical viewpoints," he said.
The new law will now replace the Non-Governmental Organisations Coordination (NGO) Act.
Speaking on Friday, President William Ruto said the operationalisation of the PBO Act was done in recognition of the indispensable capacity of the civil society sector in promoting education, awareness, inclusion, participation and mobilising collective action.
He said that the NGO Act had put civil society through what he termed as a 'chaotic mechanism', noting that it had almost eight pieces of legislation governing their operations.
The President said the NGOs can now understand how registration will happen and how to conduct business.
"We have made it now possible for Public Benefit Organisations from out of Kenya not to be taken through unnecessary rigorous explanations before they start operations in the country," Ruto said.