Members of the public converged at Lodwar youth polytechnic to share their views on the draft public benefits organisations regulations 2025.
The regulations seek to breathe life to the public benefits organisations Act 2013.
The team led by Public Benefits Organizations Regulatory Authority board member Nzioki Ndeti and Director of Strategy Isaiah Sang took the members through to the content of the regulations that seek to bring sanity to the management of the public benefits organization sector.
Prior to the engagement with the members of the public, the team held separate meetings with the County Commissioner Julius Kavita and deputy governor Dr John Erus.
Commissioner Kavita noted that public benefits organizations work to complement the government in service delivery in areas like water provision, health and education among others.
However, he challenged the board to rein in rogue PBOs who deviate from the core mandates and engage in illegal activities like money laundering.
“There is need to ensure that there is no duplication of projects among PBOs even as we promote accountability of funds,” he added.
The Commissioner said the organizations exist to benefit the public because the funds donated are meant for public good.
He added that any public benefit organization intending to work in the county must get the approval of the county steering group before it can be allowed to start operations.
Deputy Governor Erus pledged the county government’s support to the board in ensuring it achieves its mandate.
He said PBOs play a key role in socio economic transformation of the country.
“Both county and national governments are critical in ensuring public accountability and avoidance of duplication of projects, “he said.
Speaking during the public participation exercise, youth leader James Nangole raised concerns over duplication of projects.
“It is very unfortunate that at times we have seen different NGOs launching the same project like boreholes,” said Nagole.
Another participant, Jackson Nakusa expressed concern over cases of officials accused of misappropriation of public funds in one NGO move to other NGOs without being held to account.
“We cannot continue to witness the same individuals hoping from one NGO to another whenever they are called to account for the resources they managed,” he said.
Director Sang said the authority commenced the public participation exercise in June 19 and will end on July 25 this year.
He pointed that members of the public have an opportunity to air their views publicly as well as submit written memoranda.
Other notable issues that cropped up during the meeting was election of officials with a section of participants expressing concern over possibility of officials who assume office due to their popularity yet they do not share the vision of the original founders of the organisation.
Further, calls were made to build the capacity of the organisations especially in matter financial reporting.
County Coordinator for National Council for Person Living with Disability, Benson Ebei called for inclusion of the PWDs at the organisation top management to ensure their interests are taken care of.
Legal officer at the board, Mercy Soi promised that all the views of the members of the public would be considered before the final regulations are published.
Senior analyst at the board Eric Thome said the media had been engaged to ensure that the members of the public are informed about the exercise and encouraged to turn up for the meetings to give their input.
Participants drawn from all the 11 sub counties took part in the exercise.
By Peter Gitonga
