Pentecostal clergy warn against policy on religious groups after Bill withdrawal
Speaking in Nairobi, Pentecostal Voices of Kenya Chairperson Peter Manyuru said the government is using significant energy to regulate the church instead of addressing the pressing problems facing Kenyans.
Clergy under the Pentecostal Voices of Kenya have called on the government to halt plans for a policy on religious organisations, warning it could undermine freedom of worship and suppress the activities of churches and NGOs.
The call follows the withdrawal of the controversial Religious Organisations Bill 2024 by its sponsor, Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana.
Speaking in Nairobi, Pentecostal Voices of Kenya Chairperson Peter Manyuru said the government is using significant energy to regulate the church instead of addressing the pressing problems facing Kenyans.
Manyuru said the government failed to involve the church as a key stakeholder during discussions on the bill. He added that the church and the media serve as society’s watchdogs and should not be silenced.
“If you can use the same force, the same energy that you are using to curtail the church in solving the problems of Kenyans, I want to say Kenya will be very far,” he said.
The clergy now claim that the Bill seeks to threaten their constitutional freedom of worship and create a vague set of offences meant to harass religious leaders.
Secretary General Habil Olembo added that the withdrawn bill contained vague offences that could be exploited to harass religious leaders and NGOs.
“They have opted to vilify the church and arbitrarily enact draconian bills and regulations that trample over the freedom of worship and muzzle the church. Kama kanisa tunasema hii bill haiwezekani,” Olembo said.
The Religious Organisations Bill 2024 was introduced following recommendations by the Adhoc Committee on the Shakahola Massacre, which claimed over 400 lives.
The bill had gone through the first reading in the Senate and included wide consultations with religious organisations and individuals. It aimed to curb extremism and regulate unregistered religious groups, proposing penalties of up to sh5 million, three years in jail, or both for violators.
Registration requirements included a minimum of 25 members, endorsement by an umbrella religious body, and management staff with theological qualifications.
Senator Mungatana, speaking at a joint press conference with religious leaders in November 2025, confirmed he had formally written to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to withdraw the bill.
“Following the consultations since the bill passed through the first reading, it was agreed that I withdraw the bill to allow for further consensus building among stakeholders,” he said.
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