By S, KNA
A cleric from Nyeri has called for the Draft Religious Organisations Policy 2024 and the Draft Religious Organisations Bill 2024 to be subjected to fresh rounds of public participation before being enacted into law.
Bishop Dr. Erastus Njoroge, the chairperson of the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches (KNCPC), said there is a need for broader consensus among the public and religious leaders to prevent any infringement on freedom of conscience and worship.
Dr. Njoroge, who also serves as the overseer of Four-Square Gospel Churches of Kenya, warned that hurried legislation to regulate religious institutions could be counterproductive and may end up stifling the very institutions the government intends to protect.
“We were never consulted by the framers of these bills and therefore cannot own a document whose content we were not involved in formulating. What we request is for the two draft bills to be brought to the people for broader consultation so that we can provide informed input. As things stand now, I personally do not support the bills,” said Dr. Njoroge.
The call for regulation arose after the discovery of mass graves in Shakahola, Kilifi County, in March 2023. The graves are believed to belong to followers of a religious cult led by self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie of the Good News International Church.
Mackenzie is accused of masterminding bizarre rituals in which his followers were allegedly persuaded to starve themselves to death in preparation for the “end of the world” and to meet Jesus. At least 450 bodies have been exhumed from the area as investigations and court proceedings continue.
Following the shocking revelations, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) called for a review of the Religious Societies Rules 2015, stating that self-regulation among religious institutions had been undermined by weak leadership structures in some churches.
Mombasa Diocese Archbishop Martin Kivuva, who chairs the KCCB, said in 2023 that stronger mechanisms were needed to prevent similar tragedies.
“It is our considered opinion that if a robust mechanism for regulating religious organisations had been in place, Pastor Mackenzie’s activities could have been stopped before the tragedy occurred,” Archbishop Kivuva stated.
“It is unfortunate that we are witnessing a worrying reality in the country where so-called prophets and cultic leaders have mastered the art of exploiting gullible Kenyans in the name of religion,” he added.
However, Dr. Njoroge insists that effective regulation of churches should be achieved through self-regulation by religious bodies rather than state-imposed oversight.
“I have no issue if the chairperson of the proposed Religious Affairs Commission comes from within our religious community. However, it would be inappropriate for an outsider to lead and oversee religious matters. Kenya has many capable religious leaders who can guide and help develop sound policies. Let us all participate in shaping these laws,” he said.
In June last year, the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches (KNCPC) Nyeri chapter announced plans to challenge the proposed laws regulating religious groups.
Led by Chairman Bishop Douglas Karanja, the umbrella body, comprising more than 20 Pentecostal churches nationwide, held a peaceful procession to the Central Region Commissioner’s office to present a petition expressing dissatisfaction with the proposed legislation.
They argued that the recommendations were made without adequate consultation with the majority of religious leaders and might, therefore, negatively impact some denominations. They also faulted sections of the proposed Religious Organisations Bill 2024, saying some clauses were vague and could be misinterpreted.
“We wish to categorically state that the Presidential Taskforce on the Review of the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organisations cannot purport to speak on behalf of 85 percent of Christians in this country since the majority were not consulted in drafting its proposals,” said Bishop Karanja.
“We also have issues with most of the findings and recommendations contained in the draft. For instance, what are the parameters for determining extremism, and how far can that definition go?” he posed.
The clerics called for a broad-based consultation involving all stakeholders to create an inclusive and widely accepted regulatory framework.
“We want the entire document revisited through broad-based consultations of all stakeholders to ensure inclusivity. A few individuals cannot be entrusted to draft laws governing religious activities in the country while excluding the majority,” Bishop Karanja emphasized.
Among the proposals in the draft Bill is the formulation of a comprehensive policy framework for the religious sector. The policy would provide legal personality to religious organisations, outline registration requirements, and specify penalties for offences committed under the guise of religion.
The Bill also proposes setting minimum standards and certification requirements for religious organisations and leaders, including basic education thresholds.
These standards would fall under the proposed Religious Affairs Commission, which would work alongside umbrella bodies representing 20 registered religious organisations across 24 counties.
While supporting accountability and ethical conduct within religious institutions, Bishop Njoroge reiterated that regulation should not infringe on the independence of worship.
“We acknowledge that cases like Shakahola were unfortunate, but we must avoid blanket punishment of all religious groups for the mistakes of a few. Let us strengthen our internal checks and balance mechanisms instead of introducing punitive external controls,” he said.
He concluded by urging the government to reopen the dialogue around the two draft bills and allow religious stakeholders to play a more active role in shaping the country’s faith landscape.