PUBLIC BENEFITS ORGANISATIONS TO ACCELERATE COOPERATION

WITH 47 COUNTY GOVERNMENTS AND ASSEMBLIES

FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE
Nairobi, December 11th, 2014 100 Public Benefits Organisations (PBOs) from 42 Counties met in Nairobi
between 10-11 December to reflect on the changing national and county legal and policy environment.
The PBOs held constructive discussions with the County Assemblies Forum Secretary General and
Speaker of the Elgeyo Marakwet Assembly Hon Albert Kochie and the Council of Governors
Chairperson H.E. Issac Ruto in the presence of H.E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony, Kericho Governor and H.E.
Chesire Cheboi, Baringo Governor.
The County Assemblies Forum and the Council of Governors assured PBOs of their commitment to creating
an enabling environment at the County level. They acknowledged the important advocacy and development
role that PBOs play especially in mobilizing citizens to actively engage in the process of devolution, and
emphasized their openness to working more closely with the sector. They strongly reiterated their opposition to
any legislative changes at the national level that would constrain funding or the operations of PBOs in the 47
counties. Lastly, they committed to communicate their position to both the PBO Taskforce and the President of
the Republic of Kenya through the Summit. The COG asked to be included in the PBO Taskforce.
The PBOs reiterated their commitment to strengthening effective devolution of essential services, local
democracy and active citizenship with County Assemblies and Governments. They noted that PBOs are most
effective when working with County Assemblies and Governments. Finding common cause and interest is
therefore critical. The PBOs committed to increased constructive engagement going forward.
The PBOs carefully studied the 54 amendments contained in a memorandum produced by the Ministry of
Devolution and Planning and proposed for legislation by Hon Moses Kuria. They note that 32 of the 54
amendments still seek to control access to funding, remove parliamentary oversight and undermine selfregulation. There is need to actively look at alternatives to foreign funding and strengthen information
disclosure and public accountability measures.
The PBOs welcomed establishment of the eleven person PBO Taskforce by Devolution and Planning Cabinet
Secretary Anne Waiguru under Sophia Abdi Noors leadership. The Taskforces announcement provides a
more inclusive way of building consensus and a departure from previous approaches of legislation by ambush,
particularly with sudden, unrepresentative Miscellaneous Statutes Amendments Bills. They resolved to actively
engage the taskforce at county and national level when it consults Kenyans on the amendments to the PBO
Act 2013 in the New Year.

Nairobi, 11-12 December, 2014

For more information on this statement and to request interviews, contact;
Mathias Kinyoda, Email: mkinyoda@sidint.org Mobile: 0723424802

Names of Organisations and Counties

County
Baringo

Bomet
Bungoma
Busia
Elgeyo
Marakwet
Embu
Homabay
Isiolo

Kajiado
Kakamega
Kericho
Kiambu
Kilifi
Kirinyaga
Kisii
Kitui
Kwale
Laikipia

PBO
Women Network
KOSEO
COG
SISEI Crescent
COG
Mwalie Health CBO
CREADIS
PEFA
Jesus is Lord CBO
Sosorwo Funds Org.
Embu LUF
Joy Memorial Foundation
Inspiration Kenya
FONI
MCDO
Women Organisation Isiolo
KWPF
Kenya Wildlife Coalition
Illarametak (APCDI)
WEWASAFO
EYG
COG
Kiambu Disability
ActionAid / CPDI
Ngaru Initiatives
URAIA
CJPC
Center for Human Rights & Civic
Education (CHRCE)
KYMA
Eco Ethics Kenya
URAIA
Kivuli cha Haki

Lamu
Machakos

Makueni
Mandera
Marsabit
Meru
Migori
Mombasa
Muranga
Nairobi

Lamu Youth Alliance

Kikozi Program Group
Benevolent Institute of Devt.
Initiatives
Machakos CSO Network
Peace Net Kenya
Elwak Youth for Peace Devt.
Alliance for Dry Land Dvt.
Ladaka Water Sanitation &
Hygiene Group
Solidarity Goodwill Services
CIPADO
AAK
Haki Africa
COCEP
SIPAK
CRECO
Freedom House
NPI Africa
Lec - Kenya
GON
SID
Trocaire
COTRAD
Akiba Uhai
EAAG
CSORG
Bunge la Mwanachi
Oxfam KE
PEN
Inuka Kenya ni Sisi
ICJ
Viwango
IRCK
KCDF

Nakuru

Nandi
Narok
National
Nyamira
Nyandarua
Nyeri
Siaya

Taita
Taveta
Tana River
Tharaka
Nithi
Turkana
Uasingishu
Vihiga

West
Pokot

CCI
KCCB
KARA
COG
Erastus & Company CPAs
SPEAK
CEDGG
Partners in Education
ALF Huruma Shelters
Neighbours Peace Initiative
KRCS
CAF
Armshield International
Kivuli Cha Haki
Nyeri Social Forum
Nyeri NGOs Consortium
KEPSA
Gem Y. Group
Center for Women Network
Taita Paralegal Organisation
SUPKEM / URAIA
URAIA
URAIA
Mugwe CBO
APEI
Turkana Aid
Uasingishu CSO Forum
HACSON
Ebusiratsi Welfare &
Development Association
C.R.D West Pokot