Evangelical churches reject Religious Organisations Bill, 2024

The Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) has joined other religious leaders in rejecting the Religious Organisations Bill, 2024, proposed by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana.

The Bill, which seeks to introduce taxes on income, gifts, or profits generated from the church, has been termed punitive and lacking stakeholder consultation by the clergy members.

"The move to table the Bill took religious leaders and organizations by surprise, particularly coming after the finalization of the work of the Presidential Taskforce on the Review of the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organizations in Kenya," said EAK Chair Bishop Philip Kitoto.

The EAK Chair, while acknowledging that religious groups have been infiltrated by rogue individuals abusing various platforms and misleading congregations toward extremism, added that the church has been at the forefront of nation-building.

"Religious organizations have played a critical role in shaping Kenya’s social and economic landscape. They complement the work of the government in peace building, providing services in the health, education and hospitality sectors," he said.

The Chair's sentiments were echoed by EAK Secretary General Reverend Kepha Nyandega.

"The Bill contravenes fundamental constitutional principles enshrined in Article 10, specifically the provision on public participation. Key stakeholders among them religious leaders were not involved in the development of the Bill," he said.

"The Mungatana Bill fails to appreciate the importance of the critical qualification for the Proposed Registrar, particularly in religious or theological qualifications as a prerequisite."

EAK, the national umbrella organization for evangelical churches in Kenya, added that the Mungatana Bill duplicates existing regulations, such as requirements for audited accounts.

The clergy also stated that the Bill unjustly limits religious activities, including evangelism, and constrains religious leaders from fully engaging in their own institutions.

The Mungatana Bill proposes a fine of Ksh.5 million, three years in jail, or both for any religious leader who operates an unregistered organization.