Reinstate a suspended or deregistered PBO (NGO), or dissolve one
Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority, formerly the NGOs Co-ordination Board · sources read 3 Oct 2026
To dissolve a PBO, pass a resolution and notify PBORA within 14 days, signed by at least two-thirds of members, with your certificate, minutes, reasons and an asset plan; it's free and takes about 21 days. A suspended or cancelled PBO applies on Form 10 to be reinstated or restored, also free, with a decision in about 14 days.
- Fee
- FreeVoluntary dissolutionFreeReinstatement after suspension / restoration after cancellation
- How long
- Dissolution about 21 days; reinstatement or restoration about 14 days
- Deadline
- Notify PBORA within 14 days of passing the dissolution resolution.
- Deadline
- Appeal a suspension or cancellation to the PBO Disputes Tribunal within 30 days of PBORA's decision.
- Where
- Online on PBORA's eCitizen portal (pbora.ecitizen.go.ke)
What you need
- Dissolution: notice signed by at least two-thirds of members, your certificate of registration, minutes with the resolution, and the reasons
- Dissolution: lists of assets and liabilities, and the PBO you nominate to receive the assets
- Reinstatement or restoration: a filled Form 10
- Deregistered for not filing: the missing audited accounts and annual returns, board minutes deciding to apply, and your original certificate
Steps
- To dissolve: pass the resolution, then notify PBORA within 14 days. The notice must be signed by at least two-thirds of members and come with the certificate, minutes and reasons.
- Submit your assets and liabilities lists and name the PBO with similar objectives that will receive your assets.
- Once PBORA is satisfied, it strikes the PBO off the register and gives you a letter of dissolution after you hand in the original certificate.
- To come back after a suspension or cancellation: apply to PBORA on Form 10. PBORA decides within 14 days and gives reasons if it says no.
- If you were deregistered for not filing, also file the missing audited accounts and annual returns, pay the filing fee and penalty for each year missed, and hand in your old certificate for a new one.
Watch out
- Assets can only go to a PBO in good standing with PBORA, not to members or officials.
- Don't sell or give away assets without PBORA's approval.
- If PBORA suspended or cancelled you unfairly, the deadline to appeal to the Tribunal is 30 days.
Who can apply
- Any PBO can dissolve, for example for lack of funding or because its projects or purpose are complete, if it meets PBORA's dissolution requirements.
- A PBO that PBORA has suspended can apply to be reinstated.
Official sources (6)
- Post-Registration pbora.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- PBORA Service Delivery Charter (English) pbora.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Public Benefit Organizations Regulations, 2026 (L.N. 43, Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 67) pbora.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- FAQs pbora.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Form 10(a): Application for Reinstatement as a Public Benefit Organization pbora.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- PBORA eCitizen portal pbora.ecitizen.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026