The Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary has introduced the Draft Religious Organisations Policy, 2024, and a related Bill to regulate religious groups in Kenya. Deliverance Church and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) have opposed the proposal. They argue that it threatens freedom of worship and weakens the independence of faith groups.
The proposal stems from recommendations by a taskforce led by Rev. (Rtd) Mutava Musyimi, which reviewed the regulation of religious organisations.
Deliverance Church warned that the Bill, if passed, would violate religious freedom. In a letter signed by Bishop Dr. Geoffrey Njuguna, the church said the proposal gives the government too much control over religious institutions.
It compared the move to treating churches as state-funded agencies. “It infringes on the right to freedom of religion and goes against the principle that Kenya has no state religion,” the letter read. The church also objected to the inclusion of four government officials in the nine-member Religious Affairs Commission, saying it undermines self-regulation.
The church responded to a notice from the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, which invited public comments on the draft. The policy seeks to establish a Religious Affairs Commission and an umbrella body to supervise faith-based groups. It also proposes a hybrid system combining government oversight and self-regulation.
The church questioned whether the new law would prevent tragedies like the Shakahola cult deaths. It said existing laws are enough if enforced. “Shakahola happened because laws were not applied, not because they were missing,” it said.
Supkem also rejected the proposal. Chairperson Hassan Ole Naado said Kenya already has the Societies Act (Cap 108), which regulates religious groups.
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