NGOs fight back

An NGOs umbrella body, the civil society organisations reference group, has welcomed Friday’s decision by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru to halt the proposed deregistration of 957 organizations for allegedly flouting registration rules.

The group termed the grounds for the planned deregistration as baseless and un-substantiated.

The decision by the NGO coordination board had caused panic in the NGO sector after it threatened to deregister 970 organizations for allegedly flouting laws governing non-governmental organizations.

Fazul Mohamed, the CEO of the board had claimed the NGOs had failed to account for up to 23 billion shillings, with some organizations accused of engaging in money laundering, claims that have been dismissed by the NGOs.

Some of the NGOs are now threatening to take legal action against the board for defamation, while some will be seeking a public apology.

The NGOs are demanding the disbandment of the board whose term they say has already expired.

While suspending the deregistration ultimatum, Devolution CS Anne Waiguru indicated that more time was needed for the organizations to put their houses and to allow the ministry and the board to verify the submissions.

The board had also recommended the freezing of several NGOs’ accounts over their alleged involvement in money laundering.