Garissa religious leaders call for churches, mosques self-regulation

Religious leaders in Garissa have urged the government to strengthen the umbrella bodies of religious organisations to self-regulate.

They argued that the constitution has the necessary laws governing the religious organisations hence no need to create more laws.

Speaking on Saturday during a public participation forum before the task force reviewing the laws governing religious organisations in Garissa town, the muslim and christian leaders urged the government to target the individual religious leaders who go against the set laws instead of the entire society.

Sheikh Abdirahman, representing Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims called on the religious leaders to have structured disciplinary mechanisms. This he said, will tame those who may want to go rogue and be at the frontline in rebuking questionable religious teachings.

“If something is wrong somewhere the involved faith should come out to the public through the media and expose anything being used in the wrong way disguised as religion,” Abdirahman said.

“Our constitution has given us the freedom of worship. However, some people have taken advantage of it to abuse the freedom to radicalise their followers. This is being done through questionable teachings that are harmful to our societies like in the case of the Shakahola,” he added.

Reverend Joseph Mwasi representing Garissa pastors fellowship said the events at Shakahola are identical to acts of terrorism and requested the government to take measures against the perpetrators.

“As pastors, we are proposing that if any of us goes against the constitution they should be investigated, arrested and charged as an individual instead of judging all the churches as a whole,” Mwasi said.

Religious leaders further opposed the call by the government to have them acquire a certain level of education in order to be allowed to lead congregations. They argued that their calling and dedication to their faith is more important than any certificate.

Philip Kitoto, chairman of Evangelical Alliance of Kenya who was also part of the task force, said theirs is to only note down everyone’s ideas and suggestions. This he said, will be merged to form a report which will be submitted to the government.

“I believe that yes we have challenges, and the idea is how do we deal with the challenges without infringing on the freedom of worship,” Kitoto said.

The task force reviewing the laws governing religious organisations was formed by President William Ruto following the discovery of mass graves in Shakahola forest, Kilifi in what has been dubbed the Shakahola massacre.