Parliament Approves Nominees To Public Benefit Organizations Dispute Tribunal
James Njuguna Mahuria addressing journalists in a past function. Photos/Courtesy.
The National Assembly has approved the appointment of five individuals nominated to serve as the Chairperson and Members of the Public Benefit Organizations Dispute Tribunal (PBODT).
This follows the tabling of a report on the vetting of the nominees by the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC), chaired by Tharaka MP, George Murugara.
The five appointees are; Ms. Eunice Adoyo Otieno Arwa (Chairperson), Ms. Christabel Mideva Eboso, Ms. Elizabeth Mbithe Mulwa, Dr. Leonard Kinyulusi and Mr. Mohamed Sheikh Noor
The approval process was conducted in line with Section 50 of the Public Benefit Organizations Act, 2013, and Sections 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F.
The PBODT is established under the Public Benefit Organizations Act, 2013, which came into effect on 14th May 2024. The Act provides a legal framework for the registration and regulation of Public Benefit Organizations (PBOs) in Kenya, replacing the previous NGO Act. Organizations registered under the old framework have until 13th May 2026 to transition to the new regime.
The Tribunal is mandated to handle disputes arising within Kenya’s civil society and non-profit sectors. The approved nominees bring a wealth of professional and academic experience in fields such as public administration, finance, and organizational management. The appointments also reflect diversity in age, gender, and expertise, with deliberate efforts being made to ensure that the three women and two men had youthful representation.
During the debate on the report, Murugara emphasized the need for broader reforms in the tribunal vetting process, noting that the PBODT remains the only tribunal in Kenya requiring parliamentary approval.
“Seeing that this is the only tribunal requiring vetting, I believe it is high time we extend this requirement to all tribunals, to create parity and ensure merit-based appointments,” he said.
He further revealed that JLAC would soon table a Tribunals Bill aimed at harmonizing the operations and governance of tribunals across the country.
Kibwezi West MP and JLAC Vice Chairperson, Mwengi Mutuse, commended the establishment of the Tribunal, stating that it promotes self-regulation within the public benefit sector and curbs mismanagement and misuse of resources.
Nominated MP, Suleikha Harun, lauded the Chief Justice for promoting gender equality through the nomination of women to key leadership positions, in line with the two-thirds gender rule.
Lawmakers across the political divide applauded the inclusion of youth, noting that their presence would inspire younger generations to actively engage in national development.
Dagoretti North MP, Beatrice Elachi, emphasized the importance of protecting purpose-driven, specialized organizations from exploitation.
“I support the appointment of these nominees because it underscores the critical role of resolving disputes in specialized sectors that often go unchecked and are vulnerable to abuse,” she stated.
At the same time, various organisations hailed the move, saying it will open doors to some initiatives that have been pending.
Such a group is a former freedom fighters caucus; Mau Mau War Veterans Association (MMWVA) whose Director General James Njuguna Mahuria noted that it would speed up their compensation process.
He said that recently, his association petitioned the National Assembly to ensure that the former fighters’ compensation was included in the next financial year budget and hoped the issue would be concluded soon.
Early this week, a section of the association officials led by Mzee Githiga Gikonyo and the national chairman of peace lobby, Amani Kwa Wote Association national chairman Paul Julius Kariuki Mwati over the compensation where they called on the necessary agencies to speed up the process.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Mt Kenya Times ePAPER June 4, 2026
- Colombian president refuses to accept first-round election results, alleging fraud without evidence
- Ethiopia holds national elections as Abiy Ahmed seeks new mandate amid regional unrest
- When the flames won’t stop: Kenya’s school dormitory crisis and the safety revolution we can no longer defer
- Paris erupts: Nearly 900 arrested as PSG title celebrations descend into “urban guerrilla warfare”
About the Author
