The commencement of PBO Act is an important step forward and demonstrates the commitment of current regime and civic society to a future of an enabling environment and broadened democratic space in Kenya. With this law, the people of Kenya and in particular the CSOs will set a positive example for all of Africa and the world.
The PBO Act is intended to revamp the regulatory framework for civil societies in Kenya to create an enabling environment for their establishment and operations. The aim of the legislation is to bring certainty and greater transparency given the challenges that have existed under the NGO Act where the activities of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been arbitrarily governed and where there was a pervasive risk of deregistration to “silence” those organizations that spoke out on sensitive topics in Kenya. There is also hope that the new legislation which recognizes the important role that civil organizations play in society will help bridge the distrust between civil society and the Government of Kenya.
The PBO Act has direct impact on the PBOs (formerly NGOs), international CSOs whose agenda is to benefit the members of society, CSOs registered under other regimes which are not established to benefits its own members. However, to enjoy these benefits the civil society actors together with government must work together to ensure that several milestones are realized. The only way to ensure easy and timely implementation of this law, is to ensure that the CSOs work together.
On 15th May 2024, the CSOs met at Jacaranda Hotel in Nairobi to develop a plan of action that will guide the collaboration among CSOs and between CSOs and government towards implementation of priority components of the PBO Act of 2013. The output of this meeting was a draft working document with clear action points on way forward. The meeting also isolated potential risks that CSOs must appreciate in the efforts towards implementation.
It is in this regard, that CFF in partnership with PEN Kenya and other CSOs plans to host a One-day Forum in May 2024 in Nairobi to broaden participation of CSO leadership towards consolidation of plan of action towards implementation of the PBO Act. This forum will be held in preparation for the 1st PBO Summit. The Summit will bring together civil society leader from across the country, state agencies, development partners, diplomatic missions to:
a) secure commitments for joint implementation of the PBO Act; and
b) identify gaps and potential huddles for implementation of the PBO Act.
The pre-summit CSO convening aims to leverage the diversity and capacity of the civil society in catalysing the PBO Act discussions, consultations, and action towards implementation of the law.
Workshop whose model will involve of panel discussions, plenary, and presentations for up to 70 pax to realize the following outputs:
a) Build Synergy and commitments towards implementation of PBO Act from CSOs leaders.
b) Clear strategy for engagement and collaboration among CSOs in preparation for the 1st PBO Summit.
