By VITALS KIMUTAI
Donors have withdrawn funding to the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Council over leadership wrangles.
Mr Stephen Ndichu, a member of the NGO Council Executive Regulatory Committee, said there was need for change of leadership to restore donor confidence.
“Being a member of the Executive Committee of the NGO Council I wish to categorically state that international NGOs have been frustrated by the poor leadership and lack of transparency which led to their withdrawal of subscriptions, thus crippling the council’s operations,” Mr Ndichu said.
He said international NGOs operating in the country had started their own umbrella organisation while local organisations had chosen to operate independently.
“Currently, the NGO Council is embroiled in wrangles over misuse of money and non-accountability of funds received from members, which has led to closure of council offices,” he said.
He added, “Sadly, the council affairs are conducted on emails, cyber cafes, telephones and ad hoc meetings in hotels in total contravention of rules and regulations governing the NGO Council.”
Ndichu, who is the Executive Director, Kenya Students Against HIV/Aids, revealed that the wrangles were worsened by competition to introduce two Bills in Parliament – The Non-Governmental Organisations Draft Bill, 2012 and the Public Benefit Organisation Bill, 2012 (PBO).
He urged the Ministries of National Heritage and Justice to harmonise the two Bills to avoid contradictions.
The appointment of Mr Joshua Leparashau as chairman of NGO Coordination Board has caused sharp divisions in the civil society.
President Kibaki a week ago appointed Leparashau, a former chairman of Kerio Valley Development Authority to the position, bringing to an end a long-standing leadership vacuum.
But council chairman Ken Wafula and three other members opposed the appointment, saying it was irregular. However, seven members backed the President’s action and claimed that Mr Wafula wanted his cronies appointed to the position.
