Garissa NGOs urged to work with state agencies

Garissa based non-governmental organisations have been urged to work in partnership with government agencies in the county.

Garissa county commissioner Boaz Cherutich said there is a need for structured collaboration to ensure efficient resource use.

Cherutich spoke on Monday during a meeting that brought together all NGOs.

He said NGOs working in the county should join the county steering committee.

The committee brings all government institutions and development partners to plan and allocate resources according to the people’s needs.

“We need to be able to work together and share information on ongoing projects, the resources you have and where your projects will be implemented,” Cherutich said.

The commissioner said some NGOs, for instance, those working on issues of gender based violence and FGM need government support.

“We need to be able to know how many cases are you handling, how many victims have you rescued and how we can help,” he said.

Cherutich said areas of collaboration include cash transfer and relief food distribution programmes, peace and security, human capital, knowledge management and drought risk management.

However, he said NGOs must comply with the constitutional requirements, which require them to declare money received from donors and file their annual returns.

“Last year, NGOs spent more than Sh540 billion. That is a lot of money.  The government is not here to gag you but make sure you operate within the law,” Cherutich said.

Earlier this week, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i said some 7,213 NGOs operating in the country that are yet to file their annual returns.

He said the NGO Coordination Board has 90 days to be compliant or risk deregistration.

Matiangi who officially launched the NGO Sector 2020-2021 Report said the 9,525 active NGOs are important partners in the Big Four Agenda, civic awareness and peace building.

He said compliance will play a critical role towards providing critical and accurate data in planning.

County coordinator for National Drought Management Authority Abdi Noor said the NGOs support households affected by drought through cash transfers.

Noor said a partnership with the organisations will reduce cases of duplication of services and double registration of persons for relief food distribution or cash transfers.

“We will sit down and look at your proposals and advise you on better ways of delivering the services to the people,” he said.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)