DCI asked to investigate NGOs in Kenya amid nationwide protests

An anti-government rolls a burning tyre along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi CBD on July 16, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki/EV)

By Terry Muriuki
Monday, July 22, 2024

The Public Benefit Regulatory Authority (PBRA) wants the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to launch a probe into the non-governmental organisations that are currently operating in the country.

Addressing the press on Monday, July 22, the authority chairperson, Mwambu Mabongah, said that they have already submitted the names to the DCI for consideration.

"The authority has forwarded to the DCI for further investigations, PBOs that are currently in operation without obtaining requisite registration," Mabongah stated.

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PBRA further claimed that some of the organisations are operating without registration documents, hence breaching the Public Benefit Organisation Act (PBO) and the constitution.

Mabongah claimed further that out of the 16 NGOs said to have received funds from Ford Foundation, a US-based organisation, only three are registered under the PBO Act.

"Out of the 16 organisations listed in the correspondence by the PS State Department for Foreign Affairs, only three are registered under the PBOs Act, 2013, whereas the rest of the listed organisations are registered by both the Registrar of Societies and companies," said Mabongah

Police officers clear debris erected by protesters along Koinange Street in Nairobi. (Photo: Barack Oduor/EV)

Police officers clear debris erected by protesters along Koinange Street in Nairobi. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

Mabongah claims that the NGOs have been receiving funds that they are not accountable for, running unauthorised bank accounts and implementing projects that cannot be justified.

The Chairperson pointed out that organisations engaging in public benefit in Kenya are required to either obtain public benefit status as provided for under Section 7 or register with the authority under Sections 10 and 11 of the PBOs Act.

The PBO Act was enacted in 2013 and outlays a comprehensive, consolidated, and transparent framework for the registration and regulation of Civil Society entities operating within the territory of Kenya.

PBRA's briefing today comes after the PS of Foreign Affairs recently inquired about the Sh752 million grant, the Ford Foundation, a US-based organisation, issued between April 2023 and May 2024 to 16 NGOs. The letter was subsequent to President William Ruto accusing the Ford Foundation of financing the protests.

"It is noteworthy that several of your grantees below mentioned received a total of US$ 5.78 million (approximately Shillings 752 million) between April 2023 and May 2024, with unexplained expedited funding amounting to US$ 1.49 million (approximately Sh194 million) over the last month alone," the Foreign Affairs PS stated.

The organisation, however, denied the allegations of any involvement, emphasising transparency in all its activities.

"As a charitable foundation with a global presence, our grant-making is transparent and readily available on our website," it said.