Murkomen pushes compliance-first approach after PBO delisting wave
By Faith Lagat, April 14, 2026Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has championed a compliance-first approach following a wave of deregistrations in Kenya’s Public Benefit Organisations (PBO) sector, stressing facilitation over punishment as the government rolls out the Public Benefit Organisations Act, 2013.
During the launch of the PBO Sector Report 2024/2025 and the official opening of PBO Week 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on April 13, 2026, Murkomen joined Rachel Ruto in unveiling the new PBO Regulations.
The report revealed that 4,779 civil society groups were de-registered over the past year for violating the PBO Act and its Code of Conduct, while six organisations were dissolved or wound up.
Compliance approach takes centre stage
Murkomen urged stakeholders to shift their mindset away from viewing regulation as punitive. “Don’t make it look like it’s punitive. It is facilitative,” he said.
He cautioned against simply closing non-compliant organisations by the May 13, 2026, deadline and instead asked: “Could we have helped them to comply? We should change our attitude toward these are our stakeholders. How best can we help them to comply?”
The Interior CS directed National Government Administrative Officials to facilitate partnerships between PBOs and development programmes across the country. He also emphasised safeguarding organisational assets and ensuring they are used in line with registered objectives during the transition period.
New law ushers in incentives and reforms
The new regulatory framework operationalised the 2013 PBO Act in May 2024, replacing the NGO Coordination Act of 1990. It introduces clearer guidelines on registration, governance, reporting and accountability.
Compliant organisations stand to benefit from tax exemptions, simplified work permits for expatriate staff, access to government training, and permission to run income-generating activities provided profits are reinvested into their missions.
Murkomen had, through a Gazette Notice in May 2025, extended the transition deadline by one year to May 13, 2026 to allow organisations time to comply. Earlier, Laxmana Kiptoo, Director General of the Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority, announced nationwide consultations in June and July 2025 to refine the regulations through public participation.
Government, PBOs push for partnership
First Lady Rachel Ruto described PBOs as central partners in national development. “They are often the first to respond, the last to leave, and the bridge between policy and people. PBOs do not replace government. They reinforce it. They do not compete with communities. They empower them,” she said.
Murkomen reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a “vibrant, transparent, accountable” sector aligned with national priorities.
“Public Benefit Organisations are our crucial partners in national development, complementing public sector programmes, supporting vulnerable communities and advancing our democracy,” he said.