In this article, we are going to look at how to register a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya. An NGO is a Non-Governmental Organization that does non- profit development projects i.e humanitarian, health, education, environmental, and political advocacy. NGOs are usually funded by donations and can be either local, national, or international.
All NGOs operating in Kenya are regulated by the Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Board which is under the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government. This board registers NGOs and is responsible for advising the government on their contribution to national development.
How to Register An NGO In Kenya
Once a name search has been conducted and a name reserved, an applicant files a formal application for registration. The following registration requirements must be met.
1. Reserve a name by filling in Form 2 upon payment of Ksh1000.
2. Duly filled Form 3 (two copies) in original Forms providing Information on contact details of the proposed NGO, details of the 3 top officials, the charitable objective of the organization, and list of other board members.
3. Duly filled form 1 stating the NGO contact person.
Note that Form 1 and Form 3 are issued upon payment of Ksh 400.
4. Two colored passport size photographs on a white background (2 by 2 inches) of the proposed 3 officials and two other board members with their names and NGO written at the back.
5. Copy of ID/Passport and KRA PIN Certificates for the 5 proposed officials and Board members
6. At least One third (1/3) of all the board members MUST be Kenyan for all foreign-based NGOs.
7. Submit a copy of a valid police clearance (certificate of Good Conduct including the fingerprints and receipts) for Kenyans and equivalent notarized clearance certificate for Foreigns from their Country of Origin(MUST not be more than six months old).
8. Constitution of the proposed NGO/INGO it must be signed by both the proposed three officials and the two board members(Two copies must be submitted)
Please note that all the two constitutions must be signed by all the proposed board members on the execution page and by at least one of the proposed officials on each and every page.
9. Minutes authorizing the filling of the application with a specific agenda and resolution to register the organization as an NGO with the NGOs Board. Election of the interim officials MUST form part of the Agenda.
10. A Processing fee of Ksh 16,000 for national NGOs and Ksh 30,000 for International NGOs
11. All applications MUST be accompanied with a proposed one year budget
12. All applications MUST be accompanied by a forwarding letter
13. All applications MUST contain ORIGINAL signatures of the officials and members as applicable
14. All applications should either be typed or filled in block letters.
Note :
- Applicants can obtain the prototype constitution by downloading it here
- If the Applicant organization has a previous registration / Incorporation, an applicant is required to produce a notarized copy of the relevant registration certificate. In addition, this should be accompanied by a letter of the Organization from the board of such an organization.
- Organizations with previous registrations under any other written Law in Kenya, a certificate of dissolution from the registering authority MUST be tendered and/or filled with NGOs board for the application to be accepted.
Requirements To Replace A Lost NGO Certificate
1. Board minutes stating the reason for replacement
2. A police abstract
3. An advertisement be placed in the local dailies (4cm x 1 column)
NGO registration Requirements After Deregistration
1. Application letter to the Executive Director requesting for reinstatement
2. Minutes signed by the officials on record, of the organization. The minutes must have a specific resolution to seek reinstatement of the deregistered NGO
3. Surrender old registration certificate for cancellation
4. Pay a penalty of Ksh. 25,000 for late filing of annual returns
5. Pay Ksh 10,000 for the issuance of a new registration certificate
6. Submission of all outstanding annual returns
7. Payment of a filling fee of Ksh 20,000 for each year of the outstanding returns
Requirements To Change Name of an NGO in Kenya
1. Formal application addressed to the Executive Director seeking consent, signed by the three registered officials of the organization
2. Fill in a name reservation form (form 2)
3. The application should state proposed changes and give reasons for the change
4. Submit the minutes of the meeting proposing the change of name
5. The application should be brought within 14 days from the date of the meeting
6. A processing fee of Ksh .27,200/= for International NGOs and Ksh .12,500/= for local NGOs
7. Advertisement in the local dailies informing the general public of the intended change
8. Provide an amended copy of the constitution showing the new name
9. All signatures must be originals, scanned copies will not be accepted
You can either visit Huduma Centre or their offices to submit the documents.
The Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Board Contacts
Head Office
15th floor Co-op Bank House, Haile Selassie Avenue
P.O. Box 44617-0100
Nairobi KENYA
Telephone: +254 (20) 2214044 / +254 (20) 2214044
E-mail: info@ngobureau.or.ke
Kisumu regional Office
Adala Otuko road, behind St Joseph Catholic church
Milimani, Kisumu
Telephone: +254 (20) 2662604
Mombasa Regional Office
NSSF Building 5th Floor
Nkurumah Road, Mombasa
Tel: 0776162231
Garissa Regional Office
Regional Co-ordinator’s Office 2nd floor
(Former provincial Commissioners Office)
Tel: 0733380280
Eldoret Regional Office
Deputy County Commissioners Office- Eldoret East
Kapsoya
Tel: 0723278047
Check out : Top 10 Best Paying NGOs in Kenya 2020
