President William Ruto assured religious leaders that they would determine their own regulations after a contentious Religious Bill 2024 disputed by religious organisations across the country was tabled.
Speaking at Africa Inland Church (AIC) in Milimani, Nairobi, the President vowed to protect the freedom of worship stating that it is enshrined in the Constitution of the Land.
“As a government, we respect our Constitution. The preamble of the Constitution of Kenya says God of all creation. That is the beginning of the Constitution of Kenya meaning that we surrender to God,” he stated.
Further, he noted that Kenya will continue to be a God-fearing nation despite the religious bill recommending the regulation of religious organisations.
From Left: Chief Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, President William Ruto, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka and other leaders from the Western region during the ordination of Kitale Catholic Church bishop on Saturday, January 21, 2022.
William Ruto
“We will make sure that we will not compromise and that there will be no limitations or compromise on freedom of worship in Kenya,” President Ruto asserted.
The President admitted that there are some proposals made in some quotas about regulation of the church, worship, and religious activities. However, he maintained that there should be extensive public participation with religious groups on how they want to be regulated.
“I want to remind those that are pursuing that kind of exercise that the Constitution of Kenya is very explicit on the freedom of worship and there will be no compromise whatsoever,” he affirmed.
Apart from the Constitution, the President noted he will use any means possible to defend our freedom of worship in Kenya.
“I want to ask those who have ideas to allow religious leaders themselves to develop how they want to be regulated and how religious organisations will go forward.”
The Religious Organizations Bill 2024, proposed by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana, has so far faced resistance from religious groups across the country who term it as punitive.
Under the bill, religious leaders who perform miracles to extort money from congregants might face a Ksh5 million fine, a ten-year imprisonment, or both.
President Ruto observed that the task force he appointed to see the review of the legal and regulatory framework governing religious organizations led by Reverend Mutava Musyimi provided recommendations to allow religious to develop a framework to develop themselves.
The president maintained that the religious body in Kenya will decide how it wants to make sure the freedom of worship is protected without being forced.
Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana holds a meeting with the Japanese ambassador to Kenya Ken Okinawa on April 25, 2024.
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Danson Mungatana
