The Ministry of Interior has urged all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across the country to transition to the new Public Benefit Organisations (PBO) regulatory framework by May 13, 2026.

The PBO regulatory framework is an administrative system established under the Public Benefit Organisations Act to govern how non-profit organisations operate in Kenya.

The system sets out the rules for registration, compliance, reporting, and oversight of NGOs and other charitable entities in the country, replacing the older NGO Coordination framework.

The system is designed to enhance transparency and accountability by requiring organisations to disclose their activities, sources of funding, and governance structures, while also ensuring that they operate within the law and effectively serve the public interest.

In a statement on Monday, the Ministry said that organisations must submit the prescribed information and supporting documentation to facilitate re-registration and issuance of the appropriate certificate before the deadline.

“Kindly note that the transition period lapses on 13th May 2026, and all compliance requirements must be fulfilled within this timeframe, with failure affecting the organisation’s legal status in the country,” the ministry stated.

The NGOs Coordination Board indicates that over 14,000 NGOs are registered in Kenya as of 2025. These organisations, ranging from local to international, focus on sectors like education, health, and development.

However, only about 4,000 of these are fully compliant with regulations, with over 12,000 members listed under the National Council of NGOs.

The government has been keen to tighten regulations governing NGOs, especially after the country experienced major anti-government protests in 2024 and 2025.

Last year, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei called for government bodies regulating NGOs to take action against unregistered organisations that are backing activists in the country.

Addressing the media on June 20 last year, the lawmaker said that the government should leverage foreign intelligence networks to track alleged payments made by NGOs to activists.

“Most of our foreign friends are not happy that our country is stable. That is why they are pouring illicit money to fund some of these demonstrations,” the senator said.

“I want to appeal to the government to use foreign intelligence networks to be on the lookout for the money that is being sent into the country to finance some of these illicit and illegal activists,” he added.