From NGO Board to PBORA: Authority marks transition milestone with official Brand Launch

The Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) has today officially launched its new brand in a colourful ceremony held at the Mövenpick Hotel in Westlands, Nairobi.

The event was presided over by Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo and marked an important milestone in the Authority's transition journey, which began on May 14, 2024, when the Public Benefit Organizations (PBO) Act, 2013, commenced.

Following the operationalisation of the Act, the former Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Co-ordination Board was transformed into the Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority, with a broader mandate to regulate the entire public benefit organisations sector.

At the well-attended function, the Authority unveiled its new logo, brand manual, revamped website, and assorted branded merchandise.

The distinctive logo features the acronym "PBORA", with the letter "O" designed as a stylised identity icon incorporating traditional Maasai shields and human faces. The logo also incorporates the national Coat of Arms and an identity strip, both rendered in black and white.

The Authority has adopted red as its primary colour, blue as its secondary colour, and gold as its tertiary colour. Speaking at the launch, Director General Dr. Laxmana Kiptoo explained that the logo elements were carefully chosen to reflect the Authority's core values and mandate.

"Our primary colour, red, symbolises passion, urgency, visibility, authority, clarity, and enforcement. Blue, the secondary colour, represents trust, calmness, reliability, accountability, and transparency, while gold, our tertiary colour, stands for prestige, quality, and excellence in service delivery," he said.

In his keynote address, Dr. Omollo congratulated the Authority for using the transition from the repealed NGOs Co-ordination Act of 1990 to the PBO Act, 2013, as an opportunity to rebrand in line with government corporate identity standards.

"This launch is a significant milestone in the rebirth of the Authority following the operationalisation of the Public Benefit Organizations Act last year. I congratulate the leadership and staff of the Authority for this achievement and for seizing the moment to establish a fresh, modern brand," said Dr. Omollo.

He commended the development of a comprehensive Brand Manual to guide branding, communication, and service delivery, but challenged the Authority to match its new image with performance.

"It is one thing to follow the guidelines in your Brand Manual; it is another to live the commitments of your new identity. You will now be judged by the standards you have set for yourselves," he added.

PBORA Board Chairman Hon. Mwambu Mabongah thanked the Principal Secretary for his unwavering support and urged management and staff to become true ambassadors of the new brand.

"Your presence here today, Principal Secretary, is a powerful affirmation of the Government's commitment to a vibrant and well-regulated PBO sector. To our staff: you are the custodians of this brand. Let every interaction with stakeholders reflect greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability," he said.

With the brand now launched, the Authority is awaiting gazettement of the validated PBO Regulations, which will complete the transition process and fully delink operations from the old NGOs Co-ordination Act framework.

Once the new regulations take effect, the registration of Public Benefit Organizations is expected to become significantly faster, reducing from three months to two months.

The new brand positions PBORA as a modern, efficient, and accountable regulator, ready to support Kenya's growing public benefit sector.