First Lady Rachel Ruto (centre) pose for photo with stakeholders during the opening of PBO Week 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, April 14, 2026 — Across Kenya, in quiet villages, crowded informal settlements, and overstretched health centres, countless lives are being changed every day often without recognition. It is this silent but powerful impact that took centre stage in Nairobi as leaders gathered to open PBO Week 2026.
At the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, First Lady Rachel Ruto led the call for deeper collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector, describing Public Benefit Organisations (PBOs) as the “heartbeat” of community transformation.
Speaking during the official launch, where she was the chief guest, Rachel Ruto painted a vivid picture of the sector’s human impact. She noted that while their work often goes unnoticed, PBOs continue to restore dignity, uplift vulnerable families, and respond swiftly where formal systems fall short.
“Across the country, impactful work is happening quietly far from the spotlight but its effect is deeply felt,” she said, emphasizing that these organisations remain a lifeline for many communities.
The event, hosted by the Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority, also marked a significant milestone with the launch of the PBO Regulations 2026 and the Annual PBO Sector Report for the 2024/2025 financial year. These frameworks are expected to bring long-awaited clarity on registration, governance, reporting, and accountability within the sector.
At the same time, government officials reassured organisations that the new regulations are not meant to hinder their work. Instead, they aim to support and streamline operations while safeguarding resources for the communities they serve.
“PBOs are not just partners they are essential drivers of national development,” leaders noted, adding that the government will walk alongside them through the transition to the new regulatory framework.
Further underscoring the sector’s growing influence, Laxmana Kiptoo revealed that PBOs received Sh246.7 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, highlighting their expanding role in delivering development programmes across the country.
Meanwhile, participants at the forum including government officials, civil society representatives, and development partners shared stories that brought the numbers to life. From women gaining financial independence to children accessing education and healthcare in underserved areas, the narratives reflected a sector deeply woven into the fabric of Kenyan society.
As the week-long event continues, the focus remains not only on policy and funding but also on the real people behind the programmes. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a PBO sector that is vibrant, transparent, and aligned with national priorities—while ensuring that its greatest strength remains unchanged: transforming lives, one community at a time.
