Churches are up in arms against the Government’s intention of regulating them. They want to continue operating with complete impunity.

What the country has witnessed in the last few years has brought home powerfully to Kenyans that churches can no longer be allowed to operate lawlessly, creating their own individual rules as they see necessary.

Churches in Kenya have both been a force for good and evil. On the positive side, churches have been a very powerful agent of development, building schools, hospitals and providing a social network. They have stood for justice and provided a bulwark against government tyranny when other voices were silenced.

In Kenya, therefore, the position of church leader has been a powerful and venerated position. Indeed, what has become very apparent in recent years is that this is a position with a very huge capacity for misuse to abuse and exploit congregations.  Kenya, being a poor country, has millions of desperate people, easily manipulated by those in positions of influence. This is how people have ended up being duped to “plant seeds’ which are supposed to result in ‘miracles.’

Following the shocking revelations of the abuses and murders that were perpetrated in  Shakahola Forest in Kilifi through religious manipulation, the Government has finally decided to bite the bullet.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki is now categorical that the church must be regulated despite fierce opposition by churches. What are those churches opposed to regulation afraid of? If a church leader or a church is not involved in religious manipulation to abuse its congregation, why would it fear regulation?

Shouldn’t those churches that consider themselves as operating within the rules embrace regulation to weed out the rotten apples who pop out of the woodwork every day? As the secretary General of the Christian Health Association of Kenya, Samuel Mwenda said, if you have no offense or wrong, then you have nothing to fear!

The church must be regulated like all other institutions which hold a position of power and influence over people. And the place to manage this process is at the point of registration.

When churches seek registration, they need to satisfy the registrar general that they will operate in a manner that ensures they do not abuse or exploit their congregants. Churches must have governance structures. They must demonstrate accountability mechanisms for the money they collect whether as sadaka or tithe. The proliferation of the one-man-and-his-wife-one-tent missions has meant that anyone can open a church and impose his or her brand of religious dogma and doctrine on followers. Sexual abuse of congregations is rampant. Too many crooks are hiding behind religion. Many churches now have vast business interests. But they do not want to be taxed. Churches must pay their full taxes honestly and faithfully. Give unto Ceasar……..

Pastors need to be vetted. The Government must work with all religious bodies to come up with a framework that determines who is fit to be a pastor. Remember, this is the person who is being given power of “life and death” over his congregation. Such power, in the hands of rogue preachers, can be very badly misused.

The country is dealing with a crisis of money laundering and proceeds of crime. The outsized lifestyles of many of these preachers does not stand scrutiny. The Government must ensure that the ongoing tightening of regulations to deal with money laundering extend to churches.Indeed, as Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria said recently, there needs to be a lifestyle audit of all the clergy to determine their wealth and its sources. The Church must operate with utmost transparency.  The new regulations must also deal with abuse and false pretenses. 

Finally, the day has come. The country has avoided this conversation for a long time because politicians feared antagonising the clergy because of their powerful influence over voters. Shakhahola has shown that the country cannot continue burying its head in the sand.                         — [email protected]