Gov’t To Deregister NGOs In 90 Days If They Fail To File Returns

NAIROBI,Kenya, Mar, 14 – 7,213 local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that have not filed their annual returns are on the brink of being deregistered amidst a new government directive.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has however said that the government will issue a 90 day ultimatum in order to have the organizations honour their financial responsibility in good time.

Some of the organizations have been accused of abusing their unique positions to conduct illegitimate activities that threaten the country’s national security and political stability.

Speaking during the release of the annual NGOs Sector Report 2020/21 at the KICC, Matiang’i said that some non-state actors are increasingly becoming a major risk subject of money-laundering framework,
and added that various terrorist or criminal networks are now diverting their funding streams through
NGOs.

Some have already been accused of being financed to advance radicalization and violent extremism under the guise of delivering humanitarian aid or promoting social projects.

“We need to know that there are no people around who are being misused by terror organizations to
masquerade as civil society organizations, but they are conduits for illicit funds and illicit sources that
are going into radicalization and recruitment for terrorism. So, as we say, on one hand, that we will
support you, we must also agree on the other that you also have to obey the law, and you must comply,” said Matiang’i.

According to the report, out of the 11,890 NGOs registered in Kenya, only 2,712 have complied with
the existing laws while 2,468 have been deregistered and 25 dissolved.

During the 2020/21 Financial Year, 128 were reinstated having submitted the requisite documents to the NGOs Coordination Board.

Matiang’i also cautioned against acting as tools of political expediency during the upcoming general
elections, and pointed out that partisan organizations are among the emerging threats to democracy and elections.

The CS also warned that some individuals and groups will pounce on every opportunity to advance
political opportunism through these organizations.

“Please guard against your institutions being misused to engage in destructive acts that will hurt the
unity the stability and security of our country. Do not be dragged along into partisan activities in the
name of civic education or enhancing participation in the electoral process. We must do whatever we
can to ensure that the electoral process is not a conduit through which the worst of our passions are
expressed, and the worst of our paths and interest expressed to the detriment of the unity and stability
of our country,” he said.

The government has restated its commitment to facilitate the activities of NGOs in the country, but warned that the government will remain firm in its resolve to ensure and safeguard integrity and transparency in this sector.

“We will ensure that we’ll provide whatever security that you will need to ensure that you
operate freely and do your work as we reach out to our people. Whether you’re engaged in civic
education, peacebuilding and nonviolent participation in the democratic process, or promotion of
responsible citizenship and participation in the political processes, we will work with you and support
all the work that you do.”

However, the CS stressed the caveat that these organizations must reciprocate with unfailing
cooperation and align their operations with the country’s development agenda and national
security priorities.

NGOs have now been challenged to review their screening methods for allocation and utilization of donor funding on various projects and programs.

In the 2020/21 Financial Year alone, these organizations received Kshs. 138 billion, 52 percent of which went to recurrent expenditure. He urged the organizations to infuse integrity, transparency, and accountability in this regard to ensure their activities yield maximum positive impact on the Kenyan communities.

The release of the report was concurrently done with the opening of the NGOs Week during which
various organizations will showcase their services and products to the public.