The Inua Jamii Programme, Sonko Rescue Team, and Sakaja Johnson Foundation are among 2,802 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) set to lose their licenses within 15 days.
According to a gazette notice issued by Lindon Nicolas, CEO of the Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority (PBO), the NGOs failed to comply with licensing terms. The deregistration is set to take effect following the notice issued on Thursday, December 5.
The PBO Authority, established in May after President William Ruto operationalized the long-dormant Public Benefit Organisations Act of 2013, highlighted the non-compliance of several prominent organizations:
Sonko Rescue Team, founded by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, has defaulted for six years. The private initiative provides emergency services such as ambulance support, firefighting, water distribution, and aid to underprivileged communities in Nairobi.
Sakaja Johnson Foundation, founded by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, has defaulted for one year. The foundation supports various social programs in the county
Mo Farah Foundation, established by Olympic champion Mo Farah, focuses on clean water access, education, and healthcare in Somalia and Ethiopia. It has been in default for ten years.
Inua Jamii Programme, a government-backed cash transfer initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable groups such as older persons (70+), orphans, and people with severe disabilities, is reported to have defaulted for eight years. The program, launched in 2004, assists approximately 1.75 million people annually.
The PBO Act, implemented earlier this year, is designed to streamline NGO registration processes and grant tax exemptions. It also empowers the PBO Authority to oversee the registration, deregistration, and compliance of NGOs while advising the government on their contributions to national development.
These deregistrations mark a significant move in ensuring accountability and compliance within the NGO sector. The affected organizations have 15 days to address the issues raised or risk cancellation of their licenses.
