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Akorino leaders want state to stop interfering with churches

Says Mackenzie's case should be treated as an isolated incident.

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by SHARON MWENDE

News10 May 2023 - 13:09
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In Summary


  • The leaders said every church has a different constitution and faith, affirming that they did not need regulating from the government.
  • They added that even though formation of the Commission of Inquiry was a good move, it was crucial to realise that there was limits to its dutries.
The Akorino leaders in Murang'a on May 10, 2023.

Akorino spiritual leaders have urged the government to stop interfering with religious matters.

They said the Shakahola cult should be treated as an isolated incident, adding that the state should go after controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie and not the church as a whole.

"Kuhusu hii kesi yenye ilitoa ya mchungajui Mackenzie, ningeomba serekali ipate kufuatilia yeye mwenyewe juu yeye ndiye criminal kwa ile mambo alipatiakana nayo," one of the leaders said.

(In relation to the case of pastor Mackenzie, I urge the government to follow up on him alone as he is responsible for what happened).

They spoke on Wednesday at Ithanga in Murang'a.

The leaders said every church has a different constitution and faith, affirming that they did not need regulation from the government.

They said even though the formation of a task force was a good move, it was crucial to realise that there were limits to its duties.

"There are boundaries between the spiritual matters and matters of governance," they said.

On Friday, President William Ruto formed a 17-member task force to review legal and regulatory frameworks governing religious institutions.

Ruto announced that Reverend Mutava Musyimi will chair the committee, which will be operational for the next six months.

The committee members include Bishop Mark Kariuki, Bishop (Dr) Eli Rop, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Judy Thongori, Rev (Dr) Alphonse Kanga, Bishop Philip Kitoto and Dr Faridun Abdalla.

Others are Prof Musili Wambua, Joseph Khalende Wabwire, Mary Awuor Kitegi, Charles Kanjama, Leah Kasera, Nancy Murega and Wilson Wanyanga.

Martin Ndiwa Talian and Maria Goretti Nyariki will serve as the task force's joint secretaries.

The President said the task force's main responsibilities will include identifying gaps that have allowed extremist religious organisations to set up shop in Kenya and formulating a legal framework preventing radical religious entities from operating locally.

"The task force shall formulate proposals for a mechanism for the public to report religious extremists in their local communities and come up with standards and minimum certification requirements for religious organisations to be registered and to operate in Kenya," he said.

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