Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the country have received a major reprieve after the government extended the transition period into the new Public Benefits Organisation (PBO) framework by another 12 months.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The extension was announced through a special gazette notice issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, easing fears among civil society organisations over possible deregistration and mandatory fresh registration requirements.

In the notice dated May 12, 2026, Murkomen formally extended the timeframe under the Public Benefits Organisations Act, giving NGOs more time to align with the new legal and regulatory framework.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that pursuant to paragraph 5 (2) of the Fifth Schedule to the Public Benefits Organisations Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration further extends by one year the period within which a non-government organisation shall seek registration as a public benefits organisation under the Act,” the gazette notice stated.

📌 What You Need to Know

The extension takes effect from May 14, 2026, and means NGOs now have until May 2027 to complete the transition into the PBO framework established under the Public Benefits Organisations Act of 2013.

At the same time, Murkomen sought to reassure stakeholders that the government remains committed to supporting the sector, describing Public Benefit Organisations as key partners in national development.

“Public Benefit Organisations (PBOs) complement our nation’s development priorities, especially the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda,” Murkomen said in a statement.

The latest announcement comes just days after the Interior Ministry had directed all NGOs to re-register under the new legal framework or risk deregistration, triggering anxiety among organisations that feared disruption of operations and funding challenges.

However, the Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) later clarified that organisations registered under the repealed NGOs Coordination Act would automatically transition into the new framework and would not be required to apply for fresh registration.

“Organisations registered under the NGOs Coordination Act No.19 of 1990 are not required to apply for re-registration, as their transition to the PBO Act framework is automatic,” PBORA stated in a notice issued on Thursday, May 14.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke