State sets new regulations for religious leaders, churches

Kenya: New rules that require clerics to submit certificates of good conduct and their theological training certificates are now ready for implementation. The Religious Societies Rules published by the Attorney General‘s Office also require that all religious organisations submit their constitution showing statement of their doctrine of faith. The rules affect imams, pastors, rabbis and other religious leaders.

Any religious society in Kenya must have its constitution with programmes, ministries, charitable activities and education activities undertaken by the religious society and details of persons coordinating these activities.

According to the new rules, all religious societies must be registered and open to the registrar's inspection any time. All religious leaders must make a declaration of familial relations with other religious leaders and officers. In this case, officers include secretary, treasurer, trustees and committee members. They also demand that all pastors in Kenya must hold a theological certificate from an accredited theological institution.

The new rules are set to be gazetted at the end of January, officials at the Attorney General's Office said Sunday. They will, however, be operational after a year.The rules are aimed at regulating religious bodies. They will affect all faiths, including mainstream Christian, Hindu and Islamic institutions and the numerous small groupings that have been accused of conning and brainwashing their followers or engaging in radicalisation and other dangerous doctrines.

Back in November 2014, Attorney General Githu Muigai had promised regulations to help streamline churches and mosques following a public outcry. This was aimed at weeding out those who want to commercialise churches and stop mosques from being used as breeding grounds for terrorists. - The Standard.