The Kenyan government has extended the deadline for civil society organizations (CSOs) to formally register under the 2024 Public Benefit Organizations (PBO) Act from 14 May 2025, to 13 May 2026, providing additional time for compliance and easing the transition from the repealed NGO Coordination Act of 1990. Alongside this extension, multi-stakeholder efforts are underway to finalize regulations to support the Act’s implementation. Harmonized draft regulations were completed between 14 and 26 May 2025, followed by stakeholder validation from 26 to 30 May.
The draft was launched for public participation on 5 June, with civil society groups, including the Civic Freedom Forum, scheduled to consolidate feedback on 10 June. Nationwide public forums will take place from 19 June to 18 July, and a participation report will be submitted on 21 July. Feedback will be integrated by 25 July, and the final regulations validated and adopted from 28 to 31 July. The finalized regulations are expected to be launched on 1 August 2025, for submission to Parliament.
This process reflects a collaborative spirit between government and civil society, creating a crucial opportunity for CSOs to engage, advocate for transparency, and monitor the implementation of the Act to safeguard civic space and accountability
This event is part of an ongoing pattern related to the phased implementation of the PBO Act, which replaced the NGO Coordination Act starting May 2024. The extension reflects persistent challenges among NGOs in meeting the new, more rigorous compliance requirements, indicating a sector-wide adjustment period rather than an isolated incident. Since the Act’s commencement, there have been repeated calls for capacity building, regulatory clarity, and stakeholder engagement to facilitate smooth transition and compliance. The harmonization of draft regulations and planned public participation forums further illustrate this ongoing process.