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The procedures for both local and foreign or International NGO registration are similar, apart from that in registering a foreign or International NGO additional requirements are needed to the satisfaction of the NGO coordination Board.

1. All NGO applications should be typed or filled in block letters.
2. All applications MUST contain ORIGINAL signatures of the officials and members as applicable.
3. Applications must include a duly drafted constitution.

A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group that is organized on a local, national or international level. All NGOS must be registered by the NGO Registration Board in accordance with the NGO Registration Act Kenya.

2 HOW TO START AN NGO IN KENYA:

Among the top three officials, one of them MUST be a Kenyan as a basic requirement for all foreign or International based NGOs. Another requirement for an NGO to be registered, is that it would have to demonstrate an act of public good that it will benefit and improve the lives of the population and the citizens’

2.1 NGO REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS IN KENYA

2.1.1 Information Required

1. The line ministry under which its objectives fall.
2. Work plan for first year of operation.
3. Itemised budget for first year of operation.
4. Comprehensive organizational chart.
5. Memorandum of Understanding between the organization and the donors (If any).

2.2 PROCEDURE OF REGISTERING OF AN NGO IN KENYA:

1. Before an application for registration is lodged, the applicant should submit the name search of the NGO in a prescribed form 2 for approval from the Director of the Non- Governmental Organizations Board.
2. Submit a duly completed form to the Registry for conducting the name search.
3. The registry will conduct search and recommend the name for reservation.
4. Submission of the reserved name to the Programs Manager for approval.
5. Submit Form 3 to register of the NGO after the name has been approved.
6. A notification of location of the office and the postal address of the proposed organization Form 1 to be signed by the three top officials of that proposed organization.

The application for registration will be submitted by Cage Patrick & Company Advocates to the appropriate office.

2.3 DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN NGO REGISTRATION:

1. A letter addressed to the Executive Director requesting for registration.
2. Duly completed NGO Form 3 (three copies) in original Form.
3. Duly completed NGO Form 1 (one copy stating organization’s contact person).
4. Two recent colored passport size photographs of at least three proposed officials and at least two other board members with the names of the three proposed officials and the two board members and organization written at the back of the pictures.
5. Copy of Name Reservation Form (NGO Form 2) duly approved and paid for.
6. The Constitution of the proposed NGO / INGO (filed in Triplicate) and signed by the proposed 3 officials and LISTING AT LEAST TWO (2) other board members (all the 3 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.
7. Minutes authorizing the filing of the application with a specific agenda and resolution to register the organization as an NGO with the NGOS Registration board.
8. A notification of location of the office and the postal address of the proposed organization (NGO Form 1).
9. Copy of ID/Passport and KRA PIN Certificates for the 5 proposed officials and Board members. At least One third (1/3) of all the board members MUST be Kenyan for all foreign based NGOs.
10. A Copy of a valid police clearance (certificate of Good Conduct including the finger prints and receipts) for Kenyans and equivalent notarized clearance certificate for Foreigners from their Country of Origin (MUST not be more than six (6) months Old).

2.4 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN NGO REGISTRATION:

1. The organization has to furnish the constitutions of its other branches around the world.
2. One third of the officials of the Kenya branch must be Kenyan citizens.
3. The officials must be of outstanding and unquestionable character and conform with NGO laws in Kenya.

3 HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REGISTER AN NGO IN KENYA?

It will take an estimated time of Four (4) months to complete the registration process. The NGO Council will provide an acknowledgement letter, upon receipt of the application. A registration certificate will be issued once the application meets the requirements set out in the Nonprofit Organisations Act, 1997.

4 NGO COORDINATION BOARD KENYA

The Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Board is a State Corporation constituted by the Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Act (Cap 19) of 1990. The Board is responsible of the regulation and enablement of the NGO sector in Kenya. The NGOs Co-ordination Board commenced its operations in 1992 and is now under the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government. To be specific, the NGOs Co-ordination Board responsibilities include among others registering, facilitating and coordinating all Local and international NGOs that have their operations in Kenya; advising the government on their contribution to national development; giving policy guidelines for NGOs to line up their undertakings with national priorities and to receive and analyze NGO’s annual reports.