Nairobi Kenya: A section of church leaders has moved to court to challenge a proposed Religious Bill 2024. The bill proposes, among other things, a KSh 5 million fine or a three-year sentence for any Kenyan preacher found guilty of operating an unregistered religious organization. Through lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui, the clergy led by Bishop Stanley Michuki, Bishop Joseph Mailo and Enid Wekesa, all members of the Kenya Congress of Pentecostal Churches, argue that the proposed bill is discriminatory and unconstitutional.
They singled out a proposal that all churches pay taxes on tithes, gifts, and offerings. According to the clergy, this provision intrusion on religious freedom.
Clause 29 (2) of the Bill proposes a all income for religious organizations must be deposited in a bank account held under the name of the relevant registered religious organization.
“Such a demand is oppressive and amounts to compelling the religious organizations to act in a manner not directed at other registered organizations and in the use of modern money transaction methods such as M-PESA, which are efficient for meeting the immediate needs of the religious organizations,” the clergy argue, in part of their court papers seen by TUKO.co.ke.
The bishops also accuse the motion’s sponsor of trying to spy on religious organizations and limit their freedoms.
They further argued that the demand that they register their organization afresh under an umbrella body violated their rights, as they would be forced to join other associations against their will.
- Church leaders filed a case seeking to challenge the legality of a bill seeking to regulate religious organizations
- Under the umbrella of the Kenya Congress of Pentecostal Churches, the clergy claims the bill is discriminatory and unconstitutional
- They want the court to issue a declaration that the inception of the bill sponsored by Tana River senator Danson Mungatana was irregular
What the clergy seeks.
The church leaders have petitioned the court to declare that the Attorney General’s moratorium on the registration of any religious association under the Societies Act is unconstitutional and to quake the October 19, 2023, report of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee.
Additionally, they demand a proclamation stating that it was unconstitutional for Senator Danson Mungatana to introduce his bill without first obtaining the Speaker of Parliament’s approval.
It is scheduled to be discussed on November 6.
What Kenyan church leaders (2024)
Previously reported that the Pentecostal Voice of Kenya had raised concerns regarding the proposed Religious Organizations Bill 2024.
During a press briefing on Monday, September 23, PVK leaders highlighted several regressive clauses, arguing they might threaten freedom of worship.
Apostle Peter Manyuru, the PVK chairperson, singled out sections of the bill that he termed an attack on the church.
