NGO council moves to clean image

Friday, 15th July 2011

By Mark Kapchanga

A plan to streamline the operations of NGOs has been drawn.

The umbrella body, the National Council of Non-Governmental Organisations, says all registered NGOs, estimated to be 7,000, will undergo a special audit. Council chairman Ken Wafula said institutions found to have overlapping functions and those with questionable resource use would be deregistered.

“We are starting by regulating the sector because donors and the public have seen a lot of gaps in the operationalisation of NGOs,” said Wafula when council officials paid a courtesy call on the Standard Group Deputy Chairman and Chief Strategist Paul Melly at the Standard Group Centre, yesterday.

Mr Melly applauded the move, saying NGOs play a critical role in the channeling of resources to the community. “NGOs need to develop effective accounting systems that will ensure transparency and accountability. Members should also subscribe to good conduct and proper use of resources,” he said.

Mr Melly said NGOs have to remain relevant, especially at this time of the implementation of the new Constitution.

Wafula said they would make public registered organisations, the source of their funding as well as their location to increase transparency and accountability.

The move coincides with an audit report by PKF Consulting, commissioned by UK’s Department for International Development, which revealed that the former management could not account for more than Sh13 million.

Briefcase NGOs

The council’s chief executive office Kevinnah Loyatum blamed the previous regime for the proliferation of briefcase NGOs. “The civil society has over the last decade become fragmented by wrangles, divided leadership and weak institutions,” she said.

Already, work is in progress on the putting up of a robust strategic plan, aimed at redeeming the council’s once sterling image. “We are currently putting up structures and mobilise resources for the Council,” Ms Loyatum said.