Church leaders in Mombasa County have strongly opposed a proposed religious regulation bill, terming it unconstitutional and a direct threat to freedom of worship as guaranteed under Kenya’s Constitution. The clergy argue that the legislation, if enacted, would interfere with spiritual matters that should remain outside the control of secular authorities.
Speaking on behalf of the Mombasa Pastors Fellowship, Chairman Reverend Peter Onyango said religious leaders across the county are united in rejecting the proposed law. According to Reverend Onyango, the bill does not support faith-based institutions but instead seeks to suppress religious expression and practice.
“We as Christians and religious leaders believe it is God who allows us to serve citizens. There should be no laws that suppress freedom of worship,” Reverend Onyango said while addressing fellow clergy during a consultative meeting held in Mombasa.
He emphasized that spiritual leadership is guided by faith and divine calling rather than government legislation. Reverend Onyango further noted that churches play a vital role in society, particularly in rehabilitating individuals who were once involved in crime, helping them reform and become responsible, productive citizens.
Concerns Over Secular Control of Spiritual Matters
Church leaders warned that introducing laws to regulate religious activities sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the autonomy of faith-based institutions. They maintained that religion operates under spiritual authority and should not be subjected to excessive state control.
Bishop Tee Nalo, an advisor to the Mombasa Pastors Fellowship, urged religious leaders from different denominations to unite against the bill. He argued that the church is governed by divine authority and cannot be treated like an ordinary corporate entity under secular law.
“The church is led by God himself. Subjecting it to secular regulation goes against the very foundation of faith,” Bishop Nalo said.
Audit Requirements Raise Practical Questions
One of the most contentious issues raised by the clergy is the bill’s proposal to require churches to submit financial audit reports. Bishop Nalo questioned the practicality and fairness of such a requirement, especially for small and rural churches with minimal financial resources.
“One of the clauses talks about churches giving audits, yet some rural churches collect less than one thousand shillings in offerings. What kind of audit are they expected to give?” he asked.
According to the clergy, applying uniform financial reporting standards across all churches fails to consider the wide disparities in size, capacity, and financial strength among religious institutions.
Alleged Lack of Public Participation
The church leaders also criticized the process through which the bill was developed, claiming that there was insufficient public participation. They argued that religious leaders, who are the primary stakeholders, were not adequately consulted before the bill was proposed.
Bishop Nalo said the views of clergy were ignored, despite the Constitution requiring public participation in law-making. He maintained that some clauses in the bill directly contradict constitutional protections on freedom of worship and belief.
“The churches that are problematic are already known. There is no need for a blanket law to deal with issues that can be addressed using existing structures,” he said, calling on the government to withdraw the bill entirely.
Testimonies on the Church’s Transformative Role
Several church leaders shared personal experiences to demonstrate the positive impact of faith institutions on society. Bishop Gabriel Imel gave a powerful testimony, revealing that he was once involved in criminal activities before converting to Christianity and eventually becoming a pastor.
“The church transformed my life. When you bring a bill that does not match spiritual beliefs, you are pushing people back to where they came from,” Bishop Imel said.
He warned that undermining the church’s role could reverse gains made in social rehabilitation, particularly among vulnerable and marginalized groups who rely on faith-based support systems.
Government Motives Questioned
Bishop Nancy Njeru also voiced strong opposition to the proposed legislation, questioning the government’s intentions. She pointed out that churches had already complied with previous government directives to form umbrella bodies aimed at self-regulation and accountability.
“When they say there are conmen, it means they already know them. Let them follow the law and leave the church alone,” Bishop Njeru said.
She cautioned that excessive regulation of religious institutions would disrupt worship, discourage community outreach, and ultimately harm the moral fabric of the nation.
Call for Dialogue and Constitutional Compliance
Collectively, the church leaders urged the government to respect and uphold constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of worship, belief, and association. They called for broader, inclusive consultations with religious stakeholders before pursuing any legislation that affects faith-based institutions.
The clergy maintained that existing laws are sufficient to address criminal activities or fraud by individuals posing as religious leaders, without imposing restrictive regulations on all churches.
As the debate over the Mombasa religious regulation bill continues, church leaders remain firm that any attempt to legislate faith must be carefully weighed against constitutional freedoms and the vital role religion plays in Kenyan society.