CS Mudavadi clarifies bill requiring NGOs to reserve two-thirds of jobs for Kenyans

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has clarified the proposed amendments outlined in the Privileges and Immunities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to revise the criteria used to award diplomatic rights to international agencies. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, CS Mudavadi explained that global agencies will be required to reserve two-thirds of jobs for Kenyans to promote opportunities locally. 

The CS revealed that the provision only applies to international NGOs and doesn't affect other global bodies, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the African Union, the African Development Bank, and the East African Community. 

"Instead, they expressly provide for the privileges and immunities of their experts on missions in Kenya, a provision that was previously absent from the Privileges and Immunities Act of Kenya," the statement read in part.

Further, the bill proposes the establishment of the Host Country Agreement Committee to recommend the criteria required for the government to award diplomatic privileges. This also includes the documents required to apply for the privileges and immunity. 

The committee comprises Principal Secretaries for Foreign Affairs, Internal Security, Treasury, Attorney General, Director General of Immigration and Director General of the National Intelligence Services. 

Mudavadi, however, noted that any global agency that defies the law by engaging in criminal offences will have its immunity waived. 

He called on Kenyans to engage in the virtual public participation on November 18, 2025, and submit their written comments for consideration by November 21, 2025.