Move an existing NGO to the PBO Act (update your records with PBORA)
Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority, formerly the NGOs Co-ordination Board · sources read 2 Oct 2026
If your NGO was registered under the old NGOs Act, it is already a PBO, so don't register again. Update your records with PBORA on eCitizen: send your governing body details, a revised constitution, minutes with two resolutions and your old NGO certificate. It's free, and you get a new PBO certificate that keeps your original registration date.
- Fee
- FreeTransition / updating records (free)
- Where
- Online on the PBORA eCitizen portal (pbora.ecitizen.go.ke). PBORA offices: Co-operative Bank House, 15th Floor, Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi.
What you need
- Details of the organisation and its governing body
- A revised constitution that follows the PBO Act
- Minutes with two resolutions: to enter the PBO Register, and to amend the constitution to fit the PBO Act
- A copy of your NGO certificate of registration under the old Act
Steps
- Revise your constitution so it follows the PBO Act.
- Hold a meeting and pass two resolutions: to enter the PBO Register under Regulation 43, and to adopt the amended constitution. Keep the minutes.
- Log in to PBORA on eCitizen (pbora.ecitizen.go.ke) and submit your governing body details, revised constitution, minutes and old NGO certificate.
- After checking your documents, PBORA issues a PBO certificate with a new number. It also shows your original registration date and old number.
Watch out
- Don't apply for fresh registration. Your NGO moved to the PBO Act automatically; you only update your records.
- International organisations seeking Exempt status follow a different process, not this one.
Who can apply
- NGOs registered under the repealed NGOs Co-ordination Act, 1990. They became PBOs automatically.
Official sources (4)
- Advisory No. 1 of 2026 on Automatic Transition pbora.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Authority rolls out transition process for NGOs under PBO Act pbora.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Public notice - change of domain name pbora.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- PBORA eCitizen pbora.ecitizen.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026