CHANGES TO REGISTERED PBOs (FORMERLY CALLED NGOs) IN KENYA

The Public Benefits Organizations Act, 2013 (PBO Act) came into force on 14^th May 2024 and repealed the Non-Governmental Organizations Act which provided for the registration and regulation of NGOs in Kenya. Upon coming into force, all NGOs that were registered under the Non-Governmental Organizations Act were considered to be Public Benefit Organizations and were given one year to update their registration status under the PBO Act.

Though the NGO Coordination Board under the repealed Non-Governmental Organizations Act is still in the transition process to Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority under the PBO Act, the following services relating to a registered PBO (formerly NGO) can be done on the Board’s Ecitizen service portal:

1. Name search for change of Name.
2. Application for Bank recommendation Letter for opening a bank account.
3. Application for Bank recommendation letter for closing a bank account.
4. Application for change/Replacement of officials.
5. Application for additional of officials.
6. Application for amendment of PBO Constitution.
7. Application for certification of documents.
8. Application for change of name (Local PBO).
9. Application for change of name (International PBO).
10. Application for replacement of Lost Certificate.
11. Application for recommendation for special pass, work permit.
12. Dissolution of a PBO.
13. Filling annual return/report.
14. Application for PBO Reinstatement.
15. Application for recommendation letter to donors.
16. Application for duty/custom and VAT exemptions.
17. Application to expand operations to other Counties.
18. Application for recommendation to telecom services providers i.e., for new Paybill number or closure of Paybill number.
19. Application to update officials’ personal details.
20. File search physical perusal.
21. File search – official search.
22. File search -compliance status search.
23. Transfer/disposal of PBO Assets.
24. Application to update PBO record on Ecitizen platform.
25. Application for recommendation letter to reactivate PBO’s dormant account. And
26. Regularization of unauthorized bank account.

It is also important to note that each service has its own fees charge and not a uniform fee for all the services. For instance, to conduct a PBO Search is Ksh. 4050.00 and one must state the reason for search, the information you need to access and the intended use of the info.

At A.O.WANGA ADVOCATES we are happy to assist you with PBO registration and all the PBO changes.

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