Register an NGO (Public Benefit Organisation)
Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority, formerly the NGOs Co-ordination Board · sources read 30 Sep 2026
Reserve a name, then apply and pay on the PBORA eCitizen portal (pbora.ecitizen.go.ke) with your constitution, minutes, budget and directors' details. Registration of a national PBO costs KSh 25,000 and takes up to 60 days.
- Fee
- KSh 1,000Name search / reservationKSh 25,000Registration of a national PBOKSh 45,000Registration of an international PBO
- How long
- Up to 60 days
- 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
- Filled application form (Form 1) on eCitizen
- Proof that your name is reserved
- A constitution signed by the directors, based on PBORA's prototype constitution
- Minutes of the meeting that agreed to register the organisation as a PBO
- A recent colour passport photo (2x2 inches, white background) for each director
- Valid police clearance certificate for each director (notarised equivalent for foreigners)
- A one-year proposed budget
Steps
- Reserve a name on pbora.ecitizen.go.ke. Give three names in order of preference.
- Write your constitution using the prototype constitution on the PBORA website.
- Fill in the application on eCitizen, upload the constitution, minutes, budget, photos and police clearance, then pay the fee.
- Track approval in your eCitizen profile and by SMS.
- Once approved, PBORA issues your certificate of registration.
Watch out
- Already registered as an NGO under the old law? You moved to a PBO automatically, so don't apply again. Just update your records on eCitizen.
- Copy the dissolution clause exactly as it is in the prototype constitution. Don't change the wording.
- You can list at most 5 counties to work in. Adding more later needs a separate application.
Who can apply
- Non-profit organisations with a clear charitable purpose and identified beneficiaries.
- You need at least 5 directors, and at least a third of them must be Kenyan citizens living in Kenya.
Official sources (6)
- Register a PBO pbora.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Registration pbora.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Service Charter/Mkataba Wa Huduma pbora.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Authority rolls out transition process for NGOs under PBO Act pbora.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Public notice - change of domain name pbora.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- PBORA eCitizen pbora.ecitizen.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026