MP Tables Motion Seeking to Tame Rogue Kenyan Preachers, Churches

Kangema MP Muturi Kigano has tabled a motion in the National Assembly seeking to have a law that regulates the formation and registration of churches and other religious institutions in Kenya.

In his motion, MP Muturi wants Attorney General Paul Kihara compelled to present in Parliament a Bill on control of churches within 90 days.

Muturi, a Jubilee MP, says his motion seeks to prevent Kenyans from continually being exploited by people purporting to be "men of God."

“The purpose of this proposal is to curtail theft from the public by certain individuals calling themselves ‘men of God’."

“We must regulate the industry because it has become a den of corruption, extortion and other social evils,” Muturi says.

Muturi further says he will be forced to draft a private members’ Bill if AG Kihara fails to table the Bill within the specified period.

He notes that the existing laws are weak and cannot address the menace in the religious sector.

“It is not in doubt that the modern-day churches are deeply involved in commercial activities, as evidenced by their mode of dressing, media advertising so as to attract congregants, who are then coerced to make prescribed offertories and participate in endless harambees, whose proceeds end up in the owners’ pockets.”

Muturi's motion is subject to consideration by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

He wants amendments introduced to the Societies Act to enable the Registrar of Societies to bring back sanity.

This week, Neno Evangelism Bishop James Ng’ang’a was arrested and charged with threatening to kill Citizen TV journalist Linus Kaikai.

Ng’ang’a issued threats to Kaikai after he suggested that the government should control the Church like President Paul Kagame has done in Rwanda.