Ruto Goes After NGOs Receiving Millions from Donors

The state now wants all NGOs to align operations with the Bottom-Up agenda.

President William Ruto’s government has trained its eyes on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) failing to align their agenda with the country’s development needs.

In a statement on Friday, September 8, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo announced that his Ministry wrote to the NGOs directing them to align their operations with the Bottom-Up agenda.

While acknowledging the importance of donor funding in Kenya, the PS urged players in the sector to ensure compliance with the established regulatory frameworks.

According to him, compliance with identified best practices would help to ensure mutual accountability between Kenya and its development partners.

Furthermore, the PS decried the current state in the operations of NGOs in the country which he notes is more inclined towards meeting the interests of donors than supporting Kenya’s national development needs.

Interior PS Raymond Omollo speaks during a past meeting in Nairobi.

“In light of the above, the Government has formally written a notice to all NGOs and PBOs in the country to comply with this requirement and align their operations with Kenya’s development priorities as captured in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” an excerpt in the statement read.

“This is not only ineffective but also impairs the ownership of development plans for Kenya, as the host country,” it further reads.

Also Read: NGOs to Cite Sources of Income in Efforts to Curb Money Laundering Schemes

Enhanced Surveillance of Cash Flow

According to the statement, the government is in the process of enhancing surveillance to crack down on illegal financial flows.

Enhanced monitoring, according to the Ministry, is one of the many measures taken to disrupt criminal and terror activities.

“This will guarantee greater partnership and synergies among different parties working in the aid industry to ensure that donor aid is not only producing better impacts for Kenya but also benefits local communities.”

Suspicious NGO Cash Flow

However, this is not the first time the state has trained its eyes on NGOs under President Ruto’s administration.

Also Read: Interior PS Addresses Vicious Kericho-Kisumu Clashes

In June, the Interior Ministry pressured NGOs to declare their sources of funding.

Speaking during the launch of the annual NGO report, PS Omollo urged organizations operating in the country to uphold integrity noting that only a few were compliant to tax regulations.

Additionally, the state enacted the Anti Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023 which is designed to increase checks on international cash streams.

Among the benefits to be accrued from the law, according to the government, is an enhanced scope for the government in terms of the definition of money laundering.