Kidero says politics behind deregistration of his NGO
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who has described as malicious and politically motivated the NGOs Coordination Board's decision to release information regarding the deregistration of his foundation. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The Nairobi governor wondered why the NGOs board overlooked audited reports submitted earlier.
- On Tuesday, the NGOs board wrote to the chairman of the foundation informing him that its registration had been cancelled.
- Dr Kidero’s son, Ronald Odhiambo, is the treasurer of the foundation.
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has described as malicious and politically motivated the NGOs Coordination Board's decision to release information regarding the deregistration of his foundation.
Dr Kidero's comments come after letters on investigations into the Evans Kidero Foundation and its deregistration were leaked to media.
The regulatory body said the governor had failed to submit annual audited returns.
Speaking to the Nation, Dr Kidero said he had not been served any letters by the board and had only seen them in the media.
“I see mischief by the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Board to publicise the foundation instead of using proper channels to serve the respective persons. I will not be cowed by small politics carried out by Jubilee,” said Dr Kidero.
He said there is tension in Jubilee after the mass voter registration in Nairobi failed to favour them and they have now decided to smear his name with mud.
AUDITED REPORTS
The governor said his foundation had submitted all the audited reports and wondered why the NGOs board overlooked them.
He said the foundation provided the names of its donors and financiers as required.
He added that the board had not proved the allegation that billions were deposited into the foundation’s accounts, saying it had only Sh44,366.
On Tuesday, in a letter dated February 21, 2017, NGOs Coordination Board Executive Director Mahamed Fazul informed the chairman of the foundation that its registration had been cancelled.
“Your organisation has breached both the Act and the regulation,” he wrote, referring to the NGOs Act and the regulations for registering such a body in Kenya.
EXISTED BEFORE 2013
Dr Kidero said the foundation existed even before the 2013 elections and he did not understand the fuss about it as he is not directly involved in its management.
The foundation has been under scrutiny since December 2016, when the NGOs board revealed that it intended to freeze its bank accounts for failure to submit audited returns.
Dr Kidero’s son, Ronald Odhiambo, is the treasurer of the foundation.
Other key officials are Phillip Kungu Opondo, the head the Nairobi County Public Service Board, and Dr Kidero’s Chief of Staff George Wainaina Njogu.
