KENYA GOVERNMENT EXTEND COMPLIANCE DEADLINE FOR PBOs (FORMERLY KNOWN AS NGOs)

On 16^th May 2025, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration extended the transition period for Public Benefits Organization (formerly called NGOs) to comply with the Public Benefits Organization Act, 2013 that came into force on 14^th May 2024.

In the gazette notice number 6255 published on 16^th May 2025, the Kenyan government extended the transition period for a further one (1) year from 14th May, 2025 until 13th May, 2026.

All Public Benefits Organizations, which are yet to comply with the Public Benefits Organization Act 2013 (that repealed the Non-Governmental Organizations Act) are required to update their registration status under the PBO Act and link the organization on the ecitizen.

Though the NGO Coordination Board under the repealed Non-Governmental Organizations Act is still in the transition process to Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority under the PBO Act, the following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.

At A.O.WANGA ADVOCATES we are happy to assist you with updating your PBO register, PBO registration and all the PBO changes. Please contact us on info@aowangaadvocates.com or +254794600191

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