AG Justin Muturi: Imposing Stricter Regulations on Churches
The government has taken steps to rein in the proliferation of questionable religious institutions by proposing a law that will introduce stringent registration and operation requirements for churches.
Attorney General Justin Muturi told senators yesterday that he has drafted a bill that will impose stringent regulations on the operation of religious institutions and that it is time for a review of the current legislation.
The Associations Bill, which is currently being reviewed by the Attorney General’s office before its introduction in the House of Representatives, proposes, among other things, the establishment of a corporate governance body for associations.
The proposal, which is aimed at churches where one person controls all activities, will also include dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Mr. Muturi, while testifying before the Senate ad hoc committee investigating the deaths in Shakahola, Kilifi County, stated that the Societies Act, which governs the operations of churches and other organizations, was enacted in 1968 and should be revised.
ALSO READ: Shakahola Massacre: 12 Bodies Found, 579 Still Missing
“The Office of the Registrar of Societies has initiated the repeal of the Societies Act of 1968 and is drafting the Societies Bill, which seeks to improve and regulate not only religious societies but all societies,” Mr. Muturi explained.
“It introduces appropriate measures to regulate societies to address deficiencies in the Societies Act, Chapter 108 of the Laws of Kenya,” Mr. Muturi told the committee chaired by Senator Dansa River Mungatana.
He stated that the Bill would also incorporate a number of the recommendations made by the Presidential Task Force and Commission of Inquiry into the Shakahola massacre.
More powers
In addition, the bill includes a proposal to provide the Registrar of Societies with expanded authority to rein in religious organizations engaged in questionable activities.
Mr. Muturi stated, “At present, the Registrar’s role is limited to registration, checking whether the church has filed returns, and de-registration only when he suspects or becomes aware that the association’s activities are questionable.”
Jane Joram, Registrar of Societies. Informed senators that there are currently one hundred thousand registered societies in the United States. Of which forty thousand are religious.
Since the lifting of the ban on religious societies on June 13, 2022. Her office has received a total of 978 registration requests from religious organizations, she reported.
However, only 11 participants have registered.
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Since the introduction of the Administrative Guidelines for the Registration of Religious Organisations in 2022. The number of religious organizations registering, according to Ms. Joram, has decreased dramatically.
Current requirements for registering a religious society include a copy of each officer’s national identity card. KRA PIN, telephone numbers and email addresses. And a certificate, diploma, or degree in theology from an accredited university for at least one officer.
Senators want the academic credentials of religious leaders to carry more weight. With the head of the church having at least a bachelor’s degree and other officers. Such as the chairman, secretary, and treasurer having at least an associate’s degree.
The Registrar informed the senators that the churches of pastors Ezekiel Odero and Paul Mackenzie were issued a 30-day notice. To show cause as to why they should not be closed for failing to comply with certain regulations.
The Good News International Church and the New Life Prayer Centre both received closure notices on April 27.
According to the Registrar, Good News International Ministries faces closure. Because its goals are likely to be used for illegal purposes. And are therefore incompatible with the welfare of the Kenyan people.
The Newlife Prayer Centre and Church are at risk of closure. Because they have not filed tax returns for the past decade.
AG Justin Muturi: Imposing Stricter Regulations on Churches
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