Donation Amount. Min £2

When President William Ruto received taskforce report at State House.[PCS]

A faction of church leaders in Nairobi has opposed the recommendations made by the task force on church regulations, claiming that the report presented to the President did not incorporate their perspectives.

Instead, the clergy wants the government to allow churches to self-regulate and address any misconduct internally.

Under the banner of the Church and Clergy Association of Kenya, these religious leaders, led by Chairman Hudson Ndeda, called for the dismissal of the taskforce's recommendations.  

They want a new process initiated, or churches allowed to regulate themselves. 

“We want to be on record that we are rejecting the findings of the report from the taskforce in totality. We have been operating as churches for many years,” Ndeda stated.

This comes two days after some church leaders in Nyeri, under the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches, showed their discontent and rejected the recommendations, urging the government not to implement them.

Addressing the issue in Nairobi on Wednesday, the leaders emphasized that while isolated cases of misconduct by clergy have occurred, these should not be used to condemn the entire church community. 

“There is a sense of selectiveness in the law. In the past, we have seen rogue doctors, lawyers, and teachers dealt with individually, without the government intervening to regulate them,” Ndeda argued.

“We haven't seen the government step in to regulate them like what they are doing with the clergy.”

 

Ndeda expressed disapproval of the government's approach to regulating the church, particularly in the wake of the Shakahola tragedy, but insisted that this should not lead to unjust blanket measures.

“We may have some problematic elements among church leaders, but that should not be a direct ticket to selective justice, condemning the entire body of Christ,” Ndeda added.

He also criticized the proposed regulations as being punitive, arguing that they adversely affect both the church's congregation and its ministry. 

“We servants of God have been sent to guide those who have lost their way. To suggest that this is illegal or amounts to radicalization is out of context. The report indicates a penalty of Sh1 million,” Ndeda noted.

Rev. Habakkuk Wamudoda, Secretary General of the association, reinforced the idea that churches already have self-regulating rules that govern the conduct of their leaders and members.“The church is already regulated; there are sufficient laws governing places of worship. During registration, the church is vetted before being allowed to operate,” Wamudoda explained.

He further warned that if the new regulations were implemented, places of worship could be subjected to ridicule and misuse.

“We find this approach open to abuse by those opposed to religion. The report lacks adequate protection,” Wamudoda added.

The 17-man task force was established by President Ruto in May 2023, tasked with reviewing the legal and regulatory framework governing religious organizations in the country.

Dr Mutava Musyimi, (former NCCK Secretary-General) has recommended that all religious institutions in Kenya undergo fresh registration as part of a rigorous vetting process.

Additionally, they proposed revising the education curriculum to include instruction on recognizing and countering sects, religious extremism, violent extremism, and cultism.

They also suggested monitoring religious education teachers to mitigate negative impacts on students.

This initiative followed the Shakahola tragedy, in which many Kenyans lost their lives due to religious extremism.

The task force has also developed the Draft Religious Organizations Policy, 2024, the Draft Religious Organizations Bill, 2024, and the Draft Regulation of Organizations (General) Regulations, 2024.

Immediately, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) raised a red flag criticizing the government’s formation of the taskforce, with KCCB Chairperson Martin Kivuva expressing concern over the public portrayal of religion as inherently wicked. By By Mike Kihaki, The Standard

About IEA Media Ltd

Informer East Africa is a UK based diaspora Newspaper. It is a unique platform connecting East Africans at home and abroad through news dissemination. It is a forum to learn together, grow together and get entertained at the same time.

To advertise events or products, get in touch by info [at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447957636854.
If you have an issue or a story, get in touch with the editor through editor[at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447886544135.

We also accept donations from our supporters. Please click on "donate". Your donations will go along way in supporting the newspaper.

Get in touch

Our Offices

London, UK
+44 7886 544135
editor (@) informereastafrica.com
Slough, UK
+44 7957 636854
info (@) informereastafrica.com

Latest News

South Sudan, Ethiopia set for an ambitious road project

South Sudan, Ethiopi...

The initiative is shared by four countries to establish a transport corridor. [Photo: Courtesy] The...

Miss Rwanda given suspended sentence for drink-driving

Miss Rwanda given su...

Divine Muheto didn't appear in court for the sentencing A court in Rwanda has slapped a beauty quee...

Two suspected hitmen 'en route to kill taxi boss' die in shoot-out with police in KZN

Two suspected hitmen...

Two suspected hitmen were killed in a shoot-out with police in Mahlabatini in northern KwaZulu-Nata...

DCI Arrests Lawyer Linked to Ksh 182M Tender Scam Involving an American

DCI Arrests Lawyer L...

Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations manning the agency's main entrance in Nair...

For Advertisement

Big Reach

Informer East Africa is one platform for all people. It is a platform where you find so many professionals under one umbrella serving the African communities together.

Very Flexible

We exist to inform you, hear from you and connect you with what is happening around you. We do this professionally and timely as we endeavour to capture all that you should never miss. Informer East Africa is simply news for right now and the future.

Quality News

We only bring to you news that is verified, checked and follows strict journalistic guidelines and standards. We believe in 1. Objective coverage, 2. Impartiality and 3. Fair play.

Banner & Video Ads

A banner & video advertisement from our sponsors will show up every once in a while. It keeps us and our writers coffee replenished.