NGO Board seeks to de-register AFRICOG for operating illegally

The Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Co-ordination Board has written to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) seeking to de-register Africa Center for Open Governance (AFRICOG), alleging that it is ‘operating illegally’.

In a letter addressed to the DCI boss, Ndegwa Muhoro, the NGO board argues that it has come to its attention AFRICOG operates without registration, contrary to Section 22(1) of the NGOs Co-ordination Act 1990.

Additionally, the NGO’s watchdog says that by virtue of the Gladwell Otieno-led AFRICOG operating as a charitable organization in the area of democracy, transparency and open governance in Kenya, it has gone against Section 22(1) CAP 134 Laws of Kenya.

The law states that it shall be an offense for any person to operate a non-governmental organization in Kenya for welfare, research, health relief, agriculture, education, industry, the supply of any other similar purpose without registration and certificate under this act.

“The board has directed the office of the DCI to act swiftly and close down all AFRICOG operations until the matter is resolved and to further arrest the its directors for contravening laid provisions, with a view to arraign and prosecute them in a competent court of law,” read the letter.

Further, the board wants the Central Bank of Kenya to freeze all bank accounts and funds of AFRICOG.