Government issue 60-day ultimatum to deregister non-compliant societies

Registered societies across Kenya have been given a 60-day ultimatum to file overdue annual returns or face suspension or cancellation of their registration, in a new enforcement directive issued by the Registrar of Societies.

In a public notice released on May 15, 2026, through the Office of the Attorney General, the Registrar reminded all registered societies of their legal obligation to comply with the Societies Act (Cap. 108), Laws of Kenya, including the submission of annual returns, audited accounts, and other prescribed documents.

“The Registrar of Societies wishes to notify all registered societies of their obligation to file annual returns in accordance with the law,” the notice stated.

The directive is anchored on Section 30(1) of the Societies Act, which requires all societies to submit annual returns by a prescribed date. It further cites Rule 13 of the Societies Rules, 1968, which sets March 31 as the deadline for submitting returns for the preceding calendar year. The returns must be completed in Form I and signed by at least three officials of the society.

According to the notice, societies that have failed to comply have been granted a 60-day grace period from the date of publication to regularise their status. “All registered societies that have not filed their annual returns as required are hereby granted a grace period of sixty (60) days… to comply,” the Registrar added.

Failure to meet the deadline will trigger enforcement action under Section 12(1)(e) of the Act, which empowers the Registrar to issue a notice to show cause and may ultimately lead to suspension or cancellation of registration.

“Societies that fail to submit the required annual returns within the stated period shall be liable to enforcement action… which includes issuance of a notice to show cause and may result in cancellation or suspension of registration,” the notice warned.

The directive is expected to affect a wide range of organisations, including churches, community-based organisations, welfare associations, and other registered societies that depend on legal registration to operate bank accounts, access funding, and conduct official activities.

The Registrar has urged all affected societies to move swiftly to comply in order to avoid sanctions that could disrupt their operations.