The public will soon have access to private organisations' information

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo during an interview at his Harambee House office in Nairobi on Dec 20, 2023. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

The public will soon have access to information about non-profit organisations' activities, the government has announced. 

In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Interior announced the state's intent to begin implementation of the Public Benefit Organisations (PBO) Act which will allow the public to scrutinise the activities and projects of the targeted oragnisations.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo notified stakeholders of the government's commitment to fully implement the new law.

The new legislation seeks to provide a comprehensive and transparent framework for the registration and regulation of civil society groups. 

“We all appreciate the government’s economic transformation agenda must succeed and this can happen with the support of various stakeholders, including the PBOs,” he said.

The Act came into effect on May 14, this year through an official communication to the public by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki vide gazette notice. 

While presiding over the closing ceremony of a three-day PBO Act Implementation Consultative Forum in Elementaita, Dr Omollo emphasised the need to effect the policy saying, it promises a brighter future for the country. 

He noted that the Act will promote partnership and collaboration with the government and the private sector in 
pursuit of the country’s national development agenda.

This, he said, will enable the beneficiaries in whose name project funds are requested to now have an opportunity to scrutinise the operations of PBOs for enhanced accountability.

Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) chairperson, Mwambu Mabongah, hailed the progress, stating that the law will ensure a more organised, transparent, and impactful PBO sector.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to reaffirm our commitment to implementing the PBO Act. We are dedicated to ensuring that the implementation process is inclusive, leaving no one behind. The active participation and cooperation of everyone involved are crucial for the success of this initiative,” he said.

Promotion of faster registration of PBOs to enable them to address humanitarian challenges such as the flood
the situation currently confronting the country is one of the benefits Mr. Mbongah said will come with the implementation of the Act. 

PBORA Chief Executive Officer, Mutuma Nkanata callled for inclusivity in the implementation process of the new Act, promising for government's support to all stakeholders involved in this process for its success. 

“The PBO Act was developed through extensive consultations, and it is crucial that we maintain this spirit of collaboration during its implementation. I assure you that we are fully committed to implementing the act and call on all our stakeholders to join us in this vital task,” he said. 

He also urged all organs created by the Act to understand their respective mandates and develop individual and joint roadmaps necessary in the implementation journey.