The Kenyan government has conferred specific legal privileges and immunities upon the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
This announcement was made public through a legal notice published by the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, in accordance with the Privileges and Immunities Act.
The directive acknowledges the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as an international organization within Kenya, thereby permitting it to function with certain rights typically afforded to diplomatic entities.
A quasi-diplomatic entity is defined as an organization or institution that operates similarly to a diplomatic mission but lacks the full official recognition of an embassy or consulate.
This status includes the capacity to enter into contracts, engage in legal defense, and manage property in compliance with Kenyan laws.
The order additionally grants particular privileges to officials and staff of the Foundation who are neither citizens nor residents of Kenya.
These individuals will benefit from immunity against certain legal proceedings and will receive tax exemptions for duties carried out on behalf of the Foundation while in Kenya.
Nevertheless, such immunities are not applicable to Kenyan citizens or residents unless they are exclusively employed by the Foundation.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, established in 2000, is a major American philanthropic organization founded by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.
Based in Seattle, it focuses on enhancing global health, reducing poverty, and expanding educational opportunities.
With an endowment of approximately $75.2 billion as of 2023, it is the largest private foundation globally.
The foundation operates through various divisions, including Global Health and Global Development, and emphasizes measurable impact through grants and strategic investments in initiatives like vaccine distribution and education reform.
