REPUBLIC OF KENYA
THE PRESIDENCY
MINISTRY OF DEVOLUTION AND PLANNING
SPEECH BY ANNE WAIGURU, OGW CABINET SECRETARY,
MINISTRY OF DEVOLUTION AND PLANNING DURING THE
LAUNCH OF ANNUAL NGO SECTOR REPORT 2013-14 AT
KICC ON 15 SEPTEMBER, 2015
The Principal Secretary, Planning, Eng. Peter Mangiti,
Principal Secretaries present,
Diplomatic Corps,
Development Partners,
Civil Society Representatives,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is my privilege to join you today to preside over the launch of
Kenya’s first ever NGO Sector Report. This is a critical report for a
multitude of actors including Government, key players and
stakeholders of the sector, the International community, Donors
and Foreign Missions and Embassies. For the first time ever in the
history of NGO engagement in Kenya, a comprehensive report that
harmonizes and compiles data and information from all NGOs
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across sectors has been compiled. The report also provides a
factual indication of the contribution of the NGOs sector to the
Kenyan economy and its people. It goes without saying therefore,
that this is an important contribution to this sector given that it
occupies a key role in Kenya’s economy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
There are more than 100,000 Civil Society organization registered
under different legal regimes other than the NGOs Co-ordination
Act in Kenya; 10,000 NGOs registered and regulated under the
NGOs Co-ordination Act, 1990. The NGO movement has been a
catalyst of the many advances that we have made as a nation.
NGOs have amongst other things been at the forefront of the
constitutional reform process, complemented the government’s
efforts in the provision of basic services and carried out capacity
building in various sectors such as environment, youth, water,
health and education. Indeed the Jubilee manifesto notes that the
influence of Civil Society has expanded over the years to the point
where the various Civil Society groups play an important role in
the country’s social, political and economic development.
In the last two decades, civil society has largely preoccupied itself
with the push for civil and political rights and the expansion of
political space in Kenya. Indeed, their labour has borne fruit;
evidenced in large part by the promulgation of the new
constitution which boasts of amongst other provisions, a robust bill
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of rights, an independent judiciary and clear separation of powers
with significant institutional checks and balances.
Moving forward, it is imperative that civil society adopt a more
diverse agenda, one that is reflective of the new realities that we
live under. A glance at the news in the last few weeks reveals an
interesting fact: issues pertaining to the cost of living are rising
faster and faster up the list of Kenyans’ concerns. This means that
in order to remain relevant Kenyan CSOs must address Kenyans’
economic needs and be backed by more institutionalized think
tanks that can competently play the new institutional game that is
data and process driven. This will serve to further institutionalize
and professionalize both the development of public policy and the
conduct of politics in Kenya as well as guaranteeing the future and
success of civil society.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In addition, it is crucial for NGOs to constantly question the impact
of aid in developing countries. We need to ask: which
development
model
do
we
want
to
support?
What
are
development priorities? In this regard, there is need for
coordination
and
harmonization
of
the
CSO
development
programmes with the government development agenda.
While their roles and functions have been evolving, NGOs have
also come under increased scrutiny from governments, media, the
pg. 3
general public and civil society itself. As NGOs assert that they
speak on behalf of marginalized voices, regularly demand greater
accountability from other sectors and manage increasing volumes
of public funds, NGOs are being asked to improve their practices
internally, among themselves and in their relations with other
stakeholders.
There
have
been
repeated
calls
for
higher
professional standards within the civil society sector, greater
information disclosure, increased financial transparency and
greater cooperation between NGOs themselves.
Accountability is a two-way expectation. In the same way that
NGOs demand accountability from government, government also
has a right to seek accountability from NGOs. It is necessary for
Government to know the activities that NGOs are involved in, the
manner in which they spend money and the work that they are
conducting. This is because Government has a responsibility
towards
its
citizens
to
deliver
government
services
and
development. By having a full picture of the contributions of NGOs
Government can align its development priorities accordingly.
The success of NGOs is by no means guaranteed. The sector for
example, is highly dependent on external funds, as evidenced
from the report that we are launching today. This overdependence on donor funds holds civil society hostage to shifting
priorities of external organizations and denies them the long-term
autonomy and sustainability that they desperately need.
pg. 4
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, I wish to remind you of the old adage that ‘he who
stands for nothing falls for everything’. It is therefore important for
civil society actors to ensure they retain their core missions,
integrity, purposefulness and high levels of trust. The world will
always need independent organizations and individuals to act as
watchdogs, ethical guardians and advocates of the marginalized or
under-represented. Civil society in all its forms has an important
role in holding all stakeholders, including itself, to the highest
levels of accountability.
Thank you all for your time.
ANNE WAIGURU, OGW
CABINET SECRETARY
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