STARTING NGO IN KENYA AS AN EXPAT

12POSTS

9 years ago

Hello,

I am new here, I actually came here for a visit but it's turns out I may not be going back anytime soon as am in love with everything here because I feel at home.

Back home I have been working on series of projects some in partnership with existing NGOs, some with friends and family. Due to my experience within the last two months visiting some villages around, I have decided to establish an NGO here in Kenya, the NGO is going be targeting rural development from education, health, feed the hungry family and emergency response to Disaster mainly at the rural communities.

Since I am a foreigner and can't start an NGO in Kenya all by myself, am here to seek for professional advice on how to go about it and for anyone interested in same project should let me know.

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Sarvesh ViP

908POSTS

9 years ago

Hi ajadams,

Below is a list of Associations and NGO in Kenya. You might want to get in touch with the recommended ones considering the seriousness of your project.

- Associations and NGO in Kenya

Good luck.

Regards,

Sarvesh
https://www.expat.com team

1 member reacted to this post

Kerew Banned

24POSTS

9 years ago

I'm very interested in this...check your inbox for my contacts so that we can talk more.

$mwaniki fraciah$

mwaniki fraciah Active member

68POSTS

9 years ago

Hi there,
the procedure of registration of NGOs in Kenya has become a little tricky in the fact that there are alot of regulations on the same.
However, i could propose you open a trust or a Company limited by guarantee. they work the same only that the two are less cumbersome to start.

Hope this helps. you can inbox me if you need help.

Regards

Longonot62 Kenya Advisor

1521POSTS

9 years ago

I agree with the above. NGO's have been under scrutiny recently and there are many doing similar work to that which you are planning. Also consider that the government also allocates CDF monies which often target rural development, as well as the ongoing schemes such as rural electrification.

You also need to check out the regulations around work permits, for example registering a company doesn't give you the automatic right to work within it.

ajadams Member

12POSTS

9 years ago

Sarversh thanks for the list, I will do that.
@Kerew, thank you for your interest, I will contact you as soon as we are ready.

@Franciah yes I think we need to talk more about it.

@Longonot62, thank you for the permit info too.

Longonot62 Kenya Advisor

1521POSTS

9 years ago

Below is a link to the requirements of starting an NGO:

http://www.ngobureau.or.ke/?page_id=196

And some information on registering a company. Having been through this process (before it was simplified), you don't need to engage a lawyer for this, but it can be useful for writing the Articles of Association.

https://kenya.eregulations.org/menu/1?l=en

Here is some information on the requirements for the Class G (investors) permit, that would allow you to work legally within your own business:

http://www.immigration.go.ke/Information.html https://fns.immigration.go.ke/infopack/permits/classG/

The stumbling block for many is the amount of capital that you need to have, unfortunately.

ajadams Member

12POSTS

9 years ago

Thank you Longonot62, I have gone through the links but like you pointed out earlier, I think the amount on class G is on the high side. Maybe I should just register it as an International NGO or what do you think? Your reasons are very helpful to me please give me more information as much as possible if available and you don't mind. Thank you very much.

$mwaniki fraciah$

mwaniki fraciah Active member

68POSTS

9 years ago

let me make a few corrections on the above. Class G permit works when you are an investor in Kenya. which means you create a company and all the other stuff you can find on the immigration website.
However, as Ajadams has said he wants to start an NGO which means it will fall under charitable organization and as a result will apply for class I permit. which is relatively low.

Longonot62 Kenya Advisor

1521POSTS

9 years ago

#10

I was responding to the suggestion that the OP starts a limited company, then a Class G would be the correct permit would it not?

$mwaniki fraciah$

mwaniki fraciah Active member

68POSTS

9 years ago

#11

that's correct Longonot. in the above scenario then class G would suffice.

coxRIBA Member

2POSTS

9 years ago

#12

This is a very helpful thread. Most of the NGOs lited are health based. My interest is affordable housing. Does anyone know of NGOs focusing on this? I was very moved by a recent article in the Standard by Christine Mungai. A couple of weeks later the new Hilton hotel project was announced. Development is extremely polarised but, there are far more ordinary middle-low income Kenyans (e.g. doctors) than rich ones.
standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001232136/tenants-for-life-why-you-are-unlikely-to-own-a-house-in-town

Longonot62 Kenya Advisor

1521POSTS

9 years ago

#13

There are the 'National Cooperative Housing Union', 'Habitat for Humanity' and 'Shelter Afrique'. There are also companies marketing products such as interlocking blocks for cheaper cement free construction and soil compressing equipment to make soil blocks.

Personally, I wouldn't put doctors in the middle/low income bracket - I have yet to meet a poor doctor - most who work in public hospitals do private practice too.

tmtayaba Member

3POSTS

8 years ago

#14

Hi I am a Kenyan and am doing a business of providing agricultural and aquaculture solutions to rural farmers in Kenya for sustainable development . I could use the help of someone with foreign contacts. Let me know if you would be interested in working together.

1 member reacted to this post

CaryandBabe1 Active member

26POSTS

8 years ago

#15

Hi,

I recently saw you post about NGOs. I'm in a similar situation. I am not sure about starting one, but have been looking into existing ones. I'm in the US looking to the Nairobi or Mombasa area to be with my girlfriend. My background is more so in financial services and hold a BA in finance. I also have a passport. Hopefully we can form a friendship and try to help each other. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you.

Kind Regards

1 member reacted to this post

maggy ndungu New member

5POSTS

8 years ago

#16

Registering an NGO in kenya these days takes time not like before...but if are stil interested i can take u through the process.i registered one last year with my friend from canada n it took like 3 months.. inbox me if u need help

Longonot62 Kenya Advisor

1521POSTS

8 years ago

#17

I don't think that starting an NGO should necessarily be seen as a 'passport' to being resident in Kenya. This administration has scrutinised NGO's from time to time and is not afraid to cancel registrations with very little notice and deport foreign employees.

The housing, development and health sectors are already fairly crowded, which may make registration more challenging. See if you can offer something new, or a new angle on an existing issue, perhaps.

Anita. Karambalkar Member

1POSTS

6 years ago

#18

Hi,
Would be interested in knowing more about the work you are doing . contact me ***

Moderated by Diksha 6 years ago
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Grandmadebs Member

10POSTS

5 years ago

#19

Hello,
I am from the US but I'm in the process of registering my NGO in Kenya. I have formed a Board of Directors (7 are required) and we have had a couple of meetings. We have a set of by-laws. I will arrive back in Kenya on April 29th, 2021 and will go forward with the process at that point. This will be my third trip to Kenya and my husband's first. I have found property in Bungoma that we hope to purchase and it will be our ministry headquarters. I have Kenyan friends who have formed their own NGO which they've registered and they are guiding me. My website is https://GrowOurFaith.com and we are very active on Facebook.

Grandmadebs Member

10POSTS

5 years ago

#20

Hello,

I have a Kenyan friend who is very involved in AgriBusiness. He may have some insights that would be helpful. Are you on Facebook? If so, I could introduce the two of you. He is based near Nairobi.

1 member reacted to this post

PennyKichuna Member

15POSTS

5 years ago

#21

Dear Madam
I have read you mail it's quite impressive.
This is a great gesture. Yes am.on Facebook my user name kicunapenny
.Kindly send friend request will add you once I receive your request.
We look for a way forward my pleasure meeting you over here.

Best of regards
Penina k musili

adeps New member

8POSTS

5 years ago

#22

Hello I am also running an NGO in Kenya in the areas of health, children among others. Perhaps we can talk on the possibility of working together.
Thanks

N dito New member

6POSTS

5 years ago

#23

Aaaaw u gat an awesome idea to help i do with hoymas NGO nyeri kenya to help en empower young men i thing we can work together bcoz also in nyeri there are so many children need to be helped like for real i try on weekends to get some of my friend to visit them en help them i wish we work together ***

Moderated by Diksha 5 years ago
Reason : Please do not post your contact details on the forum for security reasons.
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civicom New member

8POSTS

4 years ago

#24

Am from Mombasa, Kenya. So encouraging to read your messages containing great plans for local communities. I am so happy to join you.

I am running a primary school that provides free education to most vulnerable children from surrounding communities www.joylandschools.com. I do host national and international volunteers who help with daily work.

I am not sure if registering an NGO in Kenya is that much challenging. I found it easier to register NGO. I have established national team and still looking for international team to join me in registering NGO named Change One Day. Have happy days in Kenya

Longonot62 Kenya Advisor

1521POSTS

4 years ago

#25

"I do host national and international volunteers who help with daily work."

Civicom; I hope that your volunteers are being appropriately advised to get work permits, or 'Special Passes' - you do know that volunteer work on a tourist visa is illegal, I assume.

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civicom New member

8POSTS

4 years ago

#26

My volunteers use single journey via. They have been entering Kenya without any problem at ports of entry

Longonot62 Kenya Advisor

1521POSTS

4 years ago

#27

"My volunteers use single journey via. They have been entering Kenya without any problem at ports of entry"

Then they are working illegally and if caught its something that immigration treat seriously.

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