AG Dorcas Oduor raises alarm over rapid surge in church registrations, violent governance disputes

Speaking during a Katiba Day panel discussion at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Oduor underscored that this explosive growth is increasingly tied to severe governance failures, intense financial disagreements, and bitter leadership wrangles across religious institutions.

The Attorney General emphasised that internal church elections have become notably volatile, often escalating into violent clashes between opposing factions. 

Rather than resolving administrative disagreements internally through established institutional frameworks or constitutions, rival groups frequently turn to the Registrar of Societies and the legal system to settle disputes over leadership control and asset allocation. 

Oduor characterised some of these internal leadership contests as unnecessarily brutal, noting that the resulting friction routinely forces the state to step in to navigate complex legal battles.

This trend comes at a time when the Kenyan government has already been tightening regulatory oversight for religious groups. 

Applicants seeking to register a religious body must now meet strict statutory requirements, including submitting valid clearance certificates, tax compliance documentation, verified identification documents, KRA PINs, and recognised theological qualifications.

Despite these stringent entry conditions, thousands of churches operate across the country, making comprehensive oversight an ongoing challenge for administrative authorities.

The call for tighter control over the religious sector gained national urgency following the 2023 Shakahola massacre, where more than 400 followers of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie died of starvation in Kilifi County under the guise of religious fasting. 

In the wake of that tragedy, the government formed a specialised presidential task force mandated to review the legal and regulatory structures governing religious organisations in Kenya. 

The goal has been to establish clear safeguards against radicalisation, financial exploitation, extremist doctrines, and physical abuse carried out under the umbrella of faith.

With religious organisations continuing to hold massive socio-political influence in Kenya, particularly as political mobilization builds toward future national elections, the government's push for structured oversight remains a sensitive issue. 

Attorney General Oduor's revelations reflect a growing imperative within the State Law Office to strike a balance between preserving the constitutional freedom of worship and protecting citizens from governance abuse, financial impropriety, and civil unrest stemming from unchecked religious proliferation.