Petition seeks legal framework to regulate theological colleges in Kenya

A petition has been lodged in the National Assembly calling for the establishment of a legal framework to regulate theological colleges, amid concerns over the quality and credibility of religious education in the country.

The petitioners want Parliament to set standards for curricula, accreditation and pastoral training, arguing that the absence of oversight has led to tragedies such as the Shakahola massacre.

The petition, submitted by Rev. Josiah Njiru, Chairman of the Association of Pentecostal Vocational Training Institutions of Kenya (APVOTIK), calls for legislation to address the rapid and largely unregulated growth of Bible schools, theological colleges and online ministry training platforms.

“In recent years, there has been a rapid rise in theological colleges, Bible schools and online ministry training platforms, particularly among Pentecostal, charismatic and indigenous movements, many of which operate without formal oversight,” Sessional Speaker Martha Wangari said while reading the petition before the House.

Rev. Njiru acknowledged that the growth of such institutions has widened access to theological education but expressed concern over inconsistent curricula, questionable accreditation, diploma mills, doctrinal confusion, inadequate pastoral preparation and disparities in ministerial competence across denominations.

He urged Parliament to enact a law allowing the Pentecostal and evangelical sector to form a self-regulatory authority to safeguard quality and credibility.

The petition sparked debate among MPs, with some emphasising oversight and others cautioning against interference in religious freedom.

“The issues raised in this petition are very pertinent. But it is surprising, because historically, the religious community has resisted regulation to safeguard freedom in expressing their doctrines,” Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo said.

Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba questioned the intentions behind the petition.

“Could this be a way of creating a monopoly or oligopoly of existing colleges?” he posed.

Kinangop MP John Njuguna also doubted the feasibility of standardising teaching across over 200 theological colleges, given the differences in interpretation among sects.

Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli stressed the duty of legislators to protect religion from exploitation.

“We cannot leave religion to the mercies of mediocre pastors with minimal training. How can the blind lead the blind?” he said.

Tharaka MP George Murugara supported church-led self-regulation but highlighted the need for oversight of teachings offered to congregants.

Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima endorsed the petition, linking it to past religious tragedies.

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“This Petition is timely because we have seen how religion has been abused to mislead people, as witnessed in tragedies like Shakahola,” he said.

The petition was subsequently referred to the Public Petitions Committee for further consideration.

The Shakahola tragedy in 2023 saw more than 400 bodies discovered in a remote forest inland from the coastal town of Malindi.

Authorities said the victims were followers of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly encouraged them to starve themselves to death to reach heaven.

Recently, 32 more bodies were exhumed in the village of Kwa Binzaro, Kilifi, sparking renewed criticism of authorities who had vowed to crack down on extremist sects.

The Kenyan government and residents have linked these recent deaths to the same Christian sect responsible for the Shakahola fatalities.