Types of Certificates
Registration of societies in Kenya is done in two main ways, and these are Registration and Exception from Registration. Two different certificates are issued for each of the registration.
- CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION
Most societies fall in this category and are issued with a Certificate of Registration upon receipt of the application documents and payment of the requisite fees.
- CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
An exempt society is a special type of society.
These societies are privileged and they are given this status ONLY by the Minister who in this case is the Attorney General.
Exemption means that these Societies are exempted from the strict supervision by the Registrar of Societies, for example they are not strictly required to file Annual returns, Accounts, and other documents that other normal societies are mandated to do. However, this privileged should not be abused. It can be withdrawn any time if there is evidence that the society that has been given this status by virtue of its operations which were previously believed to be honourable and above board is now embroiled in wrangles or other unpleasant activities.
Examples of exempt Societies include various charitable organizations and affiliate agencies including but not limited to some churches such as the Catholic Church and Catholic Convents and Monasteries.