Skip to document content Go to main menu Go to search

Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Act

Cap. 134

This is the latest version of this Act.
Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Act
Citation
Cap. 134
Date
Language
English
Original enactment
Download original enactment (PDF) (3.6 MB)
Related documents
Skip to document content
LAWS OF KENYA

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS CO-ORDINATION ACT

CAP. 134

  1. [Amended by Statute Law (Repeal and Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 1991 (Act No. 14 of 1991) on 27 December 1991]
  2. [Amended by Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 1992 (Act No. 11 of 1992) on 23 October 1992]
  3. [Amended by Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2007 (Act No. 7 of 2007) on 15 October 2007]
  4. [Revised by 24th Annual Supplement (Legal Notice 221 of 2023) on 31 December 2022]
An Act of Parliament to make provision for the registration and co-ordination of Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya and for connected purposes

Part I – PRELIMINARY

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Act.

2. Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—"Board" means the Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Board established by section 3(1);"Bureau" means the executive directorate of the Board;"certificate" means certificate of registration issued under Part III;"Council" means the National Council of Non-Governmental Organizations established under section 23;"International Non-Governmental Organization" means a Non-Governmental Organization with the original incorporation in one or more countries other than Kenya, but operating within Kenya under a certificate of registration;"National Non-Governmental Organization" means a Non-Governmental Organization which is registered exclusively in Kenya with authority to operate within Kenya;"Non-Governmental Organization" means a private voluntary grouping of individuals or associations, not operated for profit or for other commercial purposes but which have organized themselves nationally or internationally for the benefit of the public at large and for the promotion of social welfare, development charity or research in the areas inclusive of, but not restricted to, health, relief, agriculture, education, industry and the supply of amenities and services;"register" means the register of non-governmental organizations maintained by the Board.[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch., Act No. 11 of 1992, Sch.]

Part II – ESTABLISHMENT, FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE BOARD

3. Establishment of the Board

(1)There is hereby established a Board to be known as the Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Board.
(2)The Board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall be capable in its corporate name of—
(a)suing and being sued;
(b)taking, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging or disposing of movable and immovable property;
(c)receiving, borrowing and lending money;
(d)entering into contracts; and
(e)doing or performing all such other things or acts necessary for the proper performance of its functions under this Act, which may lawfully be done or performed by a body corporate.

4. Composition of the Board

(1)The Board shall consist of—
(a)a chairperson appointed by the President;
(b)three members appointed by the Cabinet Secretary by virtue of their knowledge or experience in development and welfare management;
(c)the Principal Secretary in the Ministry for the time being responsible for matters relating to Non-Governmental Organizations;
(d)the Principal Secretary in the Ministry for the time being responsible for foreign affairs;
(e)the Principal Secretary to the National Treasury;
(f)the Principal Secretary in the Ministry for the time being responsible for economic planning;
(g)the Principal Secretary in the Ministry for the time being responsible for social services;
(h)the Attorney-General;
(i)seven members appointed by the Cabinet Secretary on the recommendation of the Council to represent the diverse areas of Non-Governmental Organisations’ interests within the Board;
(j)the executive director appointed under section 5(1);
(k)the chairperson of the Council.
(2)The members of the Board, other than ex officio members, shall hold office for a period of three years and shall then retire, but shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(3)A member of the Board, other than an ex officio member, may resign his appointment by a letter addressed to the Cabinet Secretary.
(4)The Board may co-opt such number of persons not exceeding three in number to represent such interests as may be determined by the Board.[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch., Act No. 11 of 1992, Sch, Act No. 7 of 2007, Sch.]

5. Executive director

(1)The Cabinet Secretary shall appoint an executive director who shall be the head of the Bureau and responsible for the day to day management of the business of the Board.
(2)The executive director shall be an ex officio member of the Board but shall have no right to vote at any meeting.
(3)The executive director shall be the secretary to the Board.[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

6. Procedure at meetings of the Board

(1)The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Board, except that in his absence, the provisions of subsection (2) shall apply.
(2)In the event of the chairperson being absent from any meeting of the Board, the members present shall elect one of the members present at the meeting to preside.
(3)The Board shall meet at least four times in each year but the chairperson may, and upon application by six members shall, convene a special meeting of the Board.
(4)The quorum necessary for the business of the Board shall be six.
(5)All questions at a meeting of the Board shall be determined by a simple majority of the votes of the members present and voting.
(6)The chairperson shall have, in case of equality of votes, a casting vote in addition to his deliberative vote.
(7)The Board shall cause the minutes of all proceedings of meetings of the Board to be entered in books kept for that purpose.
(8)Subject to this Act, the Board shall regulate its own proceedings.[Act No. 7 of 2007, Sch.]

7. Functions of the Board

The functions of the Board shall be—
(a)to facilitate and co-ordinate the work of all national and international Non-Governmental Organizations operating in Kenya;
(b)to maintain the register of national and international Non- Governmental Organizations operating in Kenya, with the precise sectors, affiliations and locations of their activities;
(c)to receive and discuss the annual reports of the Non-Governmental Organizations;
(d)to advise the Government on the activities of the Non-Governmental Organizations and their role in development within Kenya;
(e)to conduct a regular review of the register to determine the consistency with the reports submitted by the Non-Governmental Organizations and the Council;
(f)to provide policy guidelines to the Non-Governmental Organisations for harmonizing their activities to the national development plan for Kenya;
(g)to receive, discuss and approve the regular reports of the Council and to advise on strategies for efficient planning and co-ordination of the activities of the Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya; and
(h)to develop and publish a code of conduct for the regulation of the Non-Governmental Organisations and their activities in Kenya.
[Act No. 7 of 2007, Sch.]

8. Powers of the Board

The Board shall have power—
(a)to establish such subsidiary organs as may be necessary for the performance of its functions under this Act; and
(b)subject to this Act, to appoint such officers as may be necessary for the performance of its functions.

9. Documentation centre

The Board shall establish and maintain a documentation centre on Non-Governmental Organizations and their activities in Kenya and such other information as may be necessary for the understanding and promotion of the contribution of Non-Governmental Organizations to national development.

Part III – REGISTRATION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

10. Registration of Non-Governmental Organizations

(1)Every Non-Governmental Organization shall be registered in the manner specified under this Part.
(2)Applications for registration shall be submitted to the executive director of the Bureau in the prescribed form.
(3)An application for registration shall be made by the chief officer of the proposed organization and specify—
(a)other officers of the organization;
(b)the head office and postal address of the organization;
(c)the sectors of the proposed operations;
(d)the districts, divisions and locations of the proposed activities;
(e)the proposed average annual budgets;
(f)the duration of the activities;
(g)all sources of funding;
(h)the national and international affiliation and the certificates of incorporation;
(i)such other information as the Board may prescribe.
(4)The Cabinet Secretary may, on the recommendation of the Board and by notice in the Gazette, exempt such Non-Governmental Organization from registration as he may determine.
(5)Application for registration under this section shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the constitution of the proposed Non-Governmental Organization.[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

11. Fees

An application for registration of Non-Governmental Organization shall be accompanied by such fees as the Cabinet Secretary may from time to time prescribe.

12. Certificate of registration

(1)Every Non-Governmental Organization registered under this Act shall be issued with a certificate of registration in accordance with this Part.
(2)A certificate of registration shall be conclusive evidence of authority to operate throughout Kenya or such parts of the country as are specified therein.
(3)A registered Non-Governmental Organization shall by virtue of such registration be a body corporate with perpetual succession capable in its name of—
(a)suing and being sued;
(b)taking, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging or disposing of movable and immovable property;
(c)entering into contracts; and
(d)doing or performing all such other things or acts necessary for the proper performance of its functions under this Act, which may lawfully be done or performed by a body corporate.
(4)A certificate issued under this Part may contain such terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe.[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

13. [Deleted by Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

14. Refusal of registration

The Board may refuse registration of an applicant if—
(a)it is satisfied that its proposed activities or procedures are not in the national interest; or
(b)it is satisfied that the applicant has given false information on the requirements of subsection (3) of section 10; or
(c)it is satisfied, on the recommendation of the Council, that the applicant should not be registered.
[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

15. [Deleted by Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

16. Cancellation of certificate

(1)The Board may cancel a certificate issued under this Part, if it is satisfied that—
(a)the terms or conditions attached to the certificate have been violated; or
(b)the organisation has breached this Act; or
(c)the Council has submitted a satisfactory recommendation for the cancellation of the certificate.
(2)Notice of the cancellation of a certificate shall be served on the Organisation in respect of whom such cancellation relates and shall take effect within fourteen days after the date of that notice.[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

17. Entry permits

The Board shall receive and consider application for entry permits in respect of prospective employees of a registered Non-Governmental Organization and make recommendations to the Principal Immigration Officer for the issuance of the permit to the applicant.[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

18. Board may require proof of existence

(1)If the Board has reasons to believe that a registered organization has, for any reason, ceased to exist, it may publish in the Gazette a notice calling upon such organization to furnish it, within a period of thirty days from the date of the notice, with the proof of its continued existence.
(2)The proof given under subsection (1) shall be accompanied by an authenticated recommendation by the Council.
(3)The Board may strike off the register any organization which fails to provide proof of its existence within thirty days from the date of the notice or if the Council report does not confirm the existence of such an organization.

19. Appeals

(1)Any organization which is aggrieved by decision of the Board made under this Part may, within sixty days from the date of the decision, appeal to the Cabinet Secretary.
(2)On request from the Cabinet Secretary, the Council shall provide written comments on any matter over which an appeal has been submitted to the Cabinet Secretary under this section.
(3)The Cabinet Secretary shall issue a decision on the appeal within thirty days from the date of such an appeal.
(3A)Any organization aggrieved by the decision of the Cabinet Secretary may, within, twenty-eight days of receiving the written decision of the Cabinet Secretary, appeal to the High Court against that decision and in the case of such appeal—
(a)the High Court may give such direction and orders as it deems fit; and
(b)the decision of the High Court shall be final.
(4)If the Council is satisfied that the organization has ceased to exist, its recommendation to the Board shall include suggestions of how the assets and liabilities of the organization should be distributed and the reasons thereon.[Act No. 11 of 1992, Sch.]

20. Exempt organizations

An organization established by a State or group of states for welfare, research, relief, public health or other forms of development assistance shall not be eligible for registration under this Act.

21. Privileges

Any organization registered under this Act shall not be entitled to diplomatic or consular privileges or immunities.

22. Offences and penalties

(1)It shall be an offence for any person to operate a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya for welfare, research, health relief, agriculture, education, industry, the supply of amenities or any other similar purposes without registration and certificate under this Act.
(2)A person convicted of an offence under this Part shall be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand shillings or to an imprisonment for a term not exceeding eighteen months or to both.
(3)Upon sentence, the court may order that whole or part of the fine be remitted to the accounts of the Board to defray the cost of its operations.
(4)Any person who has been convicted of an offence under this Part shall be disqualified from holding office in any Non-Governmental Organization for a period of ten years.

Part IV – SELF-REGULATION BY THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

23. Establishment of the Council

(1)There shall be established a Council to be known as the Non-Governmental Organizations Council which shall, as a collective forum of all Non-Governmental Organizations registered under this Act.
(2)The Council shall adopt its own structure, rules and procedures for the efficient administration of its activities:Provided that the first meeting to adopt the structure and procedures of the Council shall be supervised by an official designated by the Cabinet Secretary.[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch., Act No. 7 of 2007, Sch.]

24. Code of conduct

(1)The Council shall advise the Board with respect to the code of conduct and such other statutes as may facilitate the regulation of Non-Governmental Organizations on matters of their activities, national security, training, the development of national manpower, institutional building, scientific and technological development and such other matters of national interest.
(2)Deleted by Act No. 7 of 2007, Sch.
(3)Deleted by Act No. 7 of 2007, Sch.
(4)The Board shall prescribe rules and procedures for the audit of the accounts of Non-Governmental Organizations.
(5)The code of conduct shall prescribe the responsibilities of the Council which, once approved by the Board, shall be construed as obligations under this Act.
(6)The Board shall ensure that the code of conduct is consistent with the national and foreign policies and all written laws of Kenya.
(7)The Board shall cause the code of conduct approved under subsection (3) to be published in the Gazette but section 33 of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act (Cap. 2) shall not apply.[Act No. 7 of 2007, Sch.]

Part V – TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

25. Transitional period

(1)There shall be a transitional registration period not exceeding six months from the date of commencement of this Act:Provided the Cabinet Secretary may extend the period upon application by a Non-Governmental Organization.
(2)All Non-Governmental Organizations that are presently registered under any other written law in Kenya shall, within the period specified in subsection (1), apply and obtain a certificate under this Act.

26. Membership of interim council

The first one hundred Non-Governmental Organizations to be registered by the Board under this Act shall constitute an interim council competent to develop and adopt the code of conduct under Part IV.[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

Part VI – FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

27. Financial year of the Board

(1)The financial year of the Board shall be the period of twelve months commencing on the 1st of July and ending on the 30th of June in each year.
(2)In the event of any change in the financial year, and for the purposes of the transition from the old financial year to the new financial year consequent upon that change, the transitional period, whether more or less than twelve months, shall be deemed for all the purposes of this Act to be a financial year.

28. Investment

(1)The Board may invest any of its funds in securities in which, for the time being, trustees may by law invest trust funds or in other securities which the Treasury may from time to time approve for the purpose.
(2)The Board may place on deposit with such bank or banks as it may determine, any money not immediately required for allocation or application.

29. Annual estimates

(1)Before the commencement of a financial year the Board shall cause to be prepared estimates of the revenue and expenditure for that year.
(2)The annual estimates shall make provision for all estimated expenditure of the Board for the financial year concerned, and in particular—
(a)for the approved recurrent and development expenditure;
(b)for the payment of salaries, allowances and other charges in respect of the staff of the Board;
(c)for the payment of pensions, gratuities and other charges in respect of retirement benefits which are payable out of the funds of the Board;
(d)for the proper development and maintenance of the properties of the Board;
(e)for the proper maintenance, repair and replacement of the equipment and other movable property of the Board;
(f)for the creation of such reserve funds to meet future or contingent liabilities in respect of retirement benefits or insurance or in respect of such other matters as the Board may deem fit.
(3)Annual estimates shall be approved by the Board, before the commencement of the financial year to which they relate and shall be submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for approval.
(4)No expenditure shall be incurred for the purposes of the Board except in accordance with the annual estimates approved under subsection (3).

30. Books of accounts

(1)The Board shall cause to be kept all proper books and records of account of its income, expenditure, assets and liabilities.
(2)Within three months from the end of each financial year, the executive director of the Board shall submit to the Auditor-General the accounts of the Board together with—
(a)a statement of financial activities, income, and expenditure during the financial year; and
(b)a statement of assets and liabilities of the Board existing at the end of the year.

31. Audit

(1)The accounts of the Board shall be audited by the Auditor-General.
(2)The Auditor-General shall present to the Board, within a period of six months after the end of each financial year, a report of the examinations and audit of accounts and the report shall also be forwarded to the Cabinet Secretary.
(3)The Cabinet Secretary shall lay the Board’s report and the report of the Auditor-General before the National Assembly within thirty days after the receipt of the report by him, or if the National Assembly is not sitting, within fourteen days after the commencement of the next sitting.

Part VII – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

32. Regulations

The Cabinet Secretary may make regulations for the efficient carrying into effect of the provisions of this Act and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, make regulations—
(a)prescribing terms and conditions for the importation and use of any equipment required by the Non-Governmental Organizations for their activities in Kenya;
(b)prescribing guidelines for advanced training and employment of Kenya nationals in the field of the activities of the Non-Governmental Organizations while such Kenya nationals are in their employment;
(c)prescribing fees and other dues payable by the Non-Governmental Organizations as part of application for registration or renewal of registration;
(d)deleted by Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch;
(e)prescribing the information to be supplied in every application for registration;
(f)prescribing the format of the reports of activities to be submitted by the Non-Government Organizations;
(g)prescribing procedures for application for exemption from payment of taxes.
[Act No. 14 of 1991, Sch.]

33. Uttering false statements

(1)Any person who makes, signs or utters a false statement or declaration in support or request for the exemptions under section 32 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.
(2)Any person convicted of an offence under this section shall be disqualified from holding office in any Non-Governmental Organization for a period of ten years.
(3)On the first conviction of an official of a Non-Governmental Organization under this section, the Board may deregister that Organization.
(4)On the second conviction of an official under this section, the Board shall deregister that Non-Governmental Organization.
(5)Where a non-Kenyan national is convicted under subsection (2) or is found to have aided or abetted others in the offence, the Cabinet Secretary may recommend his expulsion from Kenya to the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Immigration.

34. Appeals

(1)The Non-Governmental Organization deregistered under section 33(3) or (4) of this Act may appeal to the Cabinet Secretary against such deregistration.
(2)The Cabinet Secretary shall deliver his decision on the appeal under subsection (1) within twenty-eight days.
(3)Any organization aggrieved by the decision of the Cabinet Secretary may, within twenty-eight days of receiving the written decision of the Cabinet Secretary, appeal to the High Court against that decision and in the case of such appeal—
(a)the High Court may give such direction and orders as it deems fit;
(b)the decision of the High Court shall be final.
[Act No. 11 of 1992, Sch.]

35. Custody of common seal

(1)The common seal of the Board shall be kept in such custody as the Board directs and shall not be used except upon the order of the Board.
(2)The common seal of the Board shall be authenticated by the signature of the executive director and one other member of the Board duly authorized by the Board in that behalf.
(3)The common seal of the Board when affixed to any document and duly authenticated under this section shall be judicially and officially noticed and, unless and until the contrary is proved, any order or authorization of the Board under this section shall be presumed to have been duly given.
▲ To the top

History of this document

31 December 2022 this version
15 October 2007
Read this version
23 October 1992
Read this version
15 June 1992
27 December 1991
Read this version
18 January 1991
Read this version
14 January 1991
Assented to

Cited documents 0

Documents citing this one 71

Gazette 34
1. Kenya Gazette dated 1993-01-22 No. 6
2. Kenya Gazette dated 1993-07-09 No. 43
3. Kenya Gazette dated 1999-03-12 No. 13
4. Kenya Gazette dated 1999-03-19 No. 15
5. Kenya Gazette dated 2002-03-08 No. 15
6. Kenya Gazette dated 2002-04-26 No. 26
7. Kenya Gazette dated 2002-07-19 No. 48
8. Kenya Gazette dated 2002-08-16 No. 54
9. Kenya Gazette dated 2003-12-19 No. 127
10. Kenya Gazette dated 2004-09-24 No. 82
Judgment 18
1. NGOs Co-ordination Board v EG & 4 others; Katiba Institute (Amicus Curiae) (Petition 16 of 2019) [2023] KESC 17 (KLR) (Constitutional and Human Rights) (24 February 2023) (Judgment) (with dissent - MK Ibrahim & W Ouko, SCJJ) Interpreted 14 citations
2. EG v Non-Governmental Organisations Co-ordination Board & another; AMI & 2 others (Interested Parties); Katiba Institute (Amicus Curiae) (Petition 440 of 2013) [2015] KEHC 5425 (KLR) (Constitutional and Judicial Review) (24 April 2015) (Judgment) 4 citations
3. Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Board v EG & 5 others (Civil Appeal 145 of 2015) [2019] KECA 902 (KLR) (22 March 2019) (Judgment) 4 citations
4. Okoiti v Judicial Service Commission & 2 others; Katiba Institute (Interested Party) (Petition 197 of 2018) [2021] KEHC 461 (KLR) (Constitutional and Human Rights) (11 March 2021) (Judgment) Cited 3 citations
5. Kaluma v NGO Co-ordination Board & 5 others (Application E011 of 2023) [2023] KESC 72 (KLR) (Civ) (12 September 2023) (Ruling) Cited 2 citations
6. Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & Aids (KELIN) v Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health & another; The Commission on Administrative Justice (Interested Party) (Petition E063 of 2021) [2023] KEHC 22351 (KLR) (Constitutional and Human Rights) (22 September 2023) (Judgment) Cited 2 citations
7. Katiba Institute & 8 others v Director of Public Prosecutions & 2 others; Ayika (Interested Party) (Petition E016 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 2890 (KLR) (18 March 2024) (Judgment) Cited 1 citation
8. CMMM (Suing as Mother and Next Friend of the Minors) v Kimanzi & another; Board of Management, Lukenya Schools/Lukenya Academy Board of Management, Moi Forces Academy, Lanet (Interested Party) (Children's Appeal Case E001 of 2022) [2023] KEHC 18577 (KLR) (5 June 2023) (Judgment) Interpreted
9. Choge & another v Choge & another; Choge & 4 others (Proforma Respondent); Bor & another (Suing as the Representatives and on Behalf of Terik Community) (Intended Interested Party) (Civil Appeal E014 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 237 (KLR) (24 January 2024) (Ruling) Cited
10. Forum for Good Governance and Human Rights v Public Service Commission & 4 others; Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) & 2 others (Interested Parties) (Petition E058 of 2023) [2025] KEELRC 83 (KLR) (23 January 2025) (Judgment)
Bill 9
1. The Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Amendment) Bill, 2014
2. The Finance Bill, 2020
3. The Finance Bill, 2021
4. The Finance Bill, 2022
5. The National Hospital Insurance Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2015
6. The Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, 2020
7. The Statute Law Miscellaneous Bill, 2014
8. The Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020
9. The Value Added Tax Bill, 2013
Act 7
1. Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act 1155 citations
2. Income Tax Act 851 citations
3. Value Added Tax Act 534 citations
4. Community Service Orders Act 210 citations
5. Persons with Disabilities Act 113 citations
6. National Health Insurance Fund Act 58 citations
7. Climate Change Act 22 citations
Legal Notice 2
1. The Statutory Instruments (Exemption from Expiry) Regulations
2. The Statutory Instruments (Exemption from Expiry) Regulations
Commission Report 1
1. The Final Report of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission-2005

Subsidiary legislation