Nairobi 16th November 2025– Top non-government organisations were awarded at the second edition of the NGOs Awards as it emerged that they contributed Sh53 billion in taxes annually. Speaking at the second annual NGO Awards held at the Grand Argyle Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Chairman Hon. Ndiritu Mureithi said the Sh53 billion the authority collected from NGOs is mostly from Pay As You Earn (PAYE) remittances for staff in the last one year.

“The sector comprises 11,000 registered organizations employing more than 40,000 people. Although most NGOs are tax-exempt, their employees, suppliers and others significantly pay taxes,” said Mr Muriithi.

The latest report released by the regulator Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (formerly the NGOs Board) shows that the sector received Sh196 billion in funding in 2023/24 and employed 79,350 people and is thus a significant player in Kenya’s development.
Mr Muriithi said the agency will transition to the Kenya Revenue Service to enable it serve Kenyans.

The second annual NGOs Awards brought together over 300 leaders from the civil society, government and donors to celebrate rganizations making exceptional impact across Kenya.

Ninety NGOs were shortlisted in 18 categories. Chief Judge Martin Muli, explained that winners were determined through a hybrid model: public voting accounted for 60 percent of the score, while a panel of multidisciplinary experts contributed the remaining 40 percent.

Compassion Internation was awarded as the NGO of the year while Dr Emily Koech was named as the CEO of the year. Other notable wins also went to comedian-turned philanthropist Eric Omondi who was voted as the people’s champion and Christian Blind Mission who were picked for the Best In Health Award. Buckner International, Eric Omondi, PACIDA, and HENNET secured wins for the second consecutive year, signaling sustained excellence in their fields.

Ninety NGOs were shortlisted in 18 categories. The winners were:

1. Best in Children – Mkomani Clinic Society
2. Best in Agriculture – Self Help Africa
3. Best in Education – Buckner International Kenya
4. Best in Humanitarian – World Relief Kenya
5. Best in Water and Sanitation – PACIDA (Pastoralist Community Initiative and
   Development Assistance)
6. CEO of the Year – Dr. Emily Koech
7. Best in Disability Inclusion – Cheshire Disability Services
8. Foundation of the Year – AMG Foundation
9. Government Partnership – Nutrition International
10. NGOs Partnership of the Year – Health NGOs Network (HENNET)
11. People’s Champion of the Year – Eric Omondi
12. Best Use of Social Media – Kenya Red Cross
13. Best in Peace Building – PACIDA
14. NGO of the Year – Compassion International
15. Best in Healthcare – Christian Blind Mission (CBM)
16. Best in Women and Girl Child – Light Up Hope Africa
17. Best in Governance and Human Rights – Centre for Rights Education and Awareness
    (CREAW)
18. Best in Environment and Climate Change – Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA)
    

The awards are an initiative of NGOs Hub, a platform dedicated to spotlighting the work and influence of civil society organizations across Kenya.

For more information on the NGOs Awards 2024 and to submit nominations, please visit www.ngosawards.com.