NGO Council pledges to restore confidence as it elects new officials

By ROBERT KIPLAGAT

Nakuru, Kenya: The troubled Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Council has elected new officials in a bid to redeem its image after protracted leadership wrangles, claims of corruption and misappropriation of donor funds.

The council held its first peaceful elections at a hotel in Nakuru town over the weekend since 2011, pledging to restore donor confidence through transparent leadership and effective regulation of NGOs in the country.

Wilson Kipkazi from South Rift and from the minority Endorois community in Baringo County won the chairmanship by a landslide after garnering 111 votes over his lone competitor Lenana Momoi from Kajiado who got a paltry eight votes.

Grace Weru from Central was elected the Vice Chairperson after defeating Uba Abdi Ibrahim by 76 votes against 47.

Benjamin Onkoba from North Nyanza region was elected unopposed to the post of Council Treasurer.

The elections were officiated by Attorney General’s Representative Roseline Aburiri who works at the Department of Administrative Justice. Carol Mburugu from Kituo Cha Sheria was the presiding officer.

The NGO council has been in a spot over allegations of corruption.

Regional executive members fronted were; Khatra Sigat (North eastern), George Obondo (North Nyanza), Jonathan Kimuge(Central Rift),John Mwangi (Central), Stephen Kemboi (North Rift) and Peter Kubebea (Western).

Early this year, the council suspended the then national chairperson Violet Jumba Okinda from office over allegations of mismanaging council funds.

Okinda was accused of opening a parallel bank account with the Bank of Africa without clearance from the NGO Council executive committee and with unauthorised signatories.