Kalonzo warns state against interference in church affairs
By Faith Lagat, December 14, 2025Former Vice President and Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has warned against government attempts to regulate religious organisations, terming such moves an overreach that could undermine genuine faith.
Speaking during a sermon at Gospel Tabernacle Worship Centre in Nairobi on December 14, 2025, Musyoka linked the debate to wider concerns over national stability and leadership legitimacy.
“One position I hold without hesitation is this: I condemn, in the strongest terms, any attempt to regulate or control the church. You cannot use the existence of a cult as an excuse to tax, police, or interfere with the true church of Christ. The failures of impostors must never be weaponised against genuine faith,” Kalonzo said.
He accused political leaders of pushing for regulation of hypocrisy, noting that some had previously relied on religious endorsement to gain power.
“It is deeply troubling, and indeed hypocritical, for someone who claimed to have been ‘prayed’ into power to now turn around and undermine the very institution they once leaned on for legitimacy. Faith cannot be a tool for political ascent and then treated as a threat once power is secured.”
He added that the message delivered at the church spoke directly to Kenya’s current moment. “In Kenya, we the people made a choice, but we are now living with the reality of leadership that is not God-chosen, leadership that lacks righteousness, humility, and moral authority.”
Proposed laws spark national debate
Musyoka’s remarks come as public participation forums begin on the Religious Organizations Policy, 2024, and the Religious Organizations Bill, 2024, scheduled from December 15 to 19, 2025.
The proposed framework seeks to introduce registration requirements, governance standards, and oversight mechanisms aimed at addressing religious extremism and abuse, following recommendations from a presidential task force formed after incidents such as the Shakahola cult tragedy.
Several clergy groups, including leaders from the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness, have opposed the proposals, arguing they violate constitutional protections on freedom of worship.
Offering a contrasting perspective, legal expert Willis Otieno cautioned against excesses from both sides.
“The Constitution of Kenya is very clear: Article 8 provides that there shall be no state religion. Article 32 guarantees freedom of conscience, religion, belief, and opinion. These two provisions must be read together, not in isolation,” he said.
Otieno stressed mutual restraint, adding that while the State cannot police belief, religious institutions equally have no mandate to exercise state power or shield criminality under the cover of faith.