KENYA: Catholic Church lauds President Kenyatta for rejecting Religion regulation laws
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| Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono, General Secretary Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops |
The
Catholic Church has applauded Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to
reject proposed religious societies rules 2015 that were intended to regulate
churches.
The
rules attracted widespread condemnation for infringing on Kenya’s constitution.
In a statement sent to media houses on 28th, January, 2016, President Uhuru
Kenyatta rejected the proposals and directed that a new process driven by
religious stakeholders with the participation of the government and the general
public to take place.
rules attracted widespread condemnation for infringing on Kenya’s constitution.
In a statement sent to media houses on 28th, January, 2016, President Uhuru
Kenyatta rejected the proposals and directed that a new process driven by
religious stakeholders with the participation of the government and the general
public to take place.
The Religious Societies Rules published by the Attorney
General‘s Office require that all religious organizations submit their
constitution showing statement of their doctrine of faith.
General‘s Office require that all religious organizations submit their
constitution showing statement of their doctrine of faith.
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.
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.
They also demand that all pastors in Kenya must hold a
theological certificate from an accredited theological institution. The new
rules was set to be gazetted at the end of January, and was expected to be
operational after a year.
theological certificate from an accredited theological institution. The new
rules was set to be gazetted at the end of January, and was expected to be
operational after a year.
In an interview with Waumini News, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) General
Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono said that President Kenyatta’s decision to
withdraw the proposed rules was reached after a successful consultative
deliberation between religious leaders and the government.
Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono said that President Kenyatta’s decision to
withdraw the proposed rules was reached after a successful consultative
deliberation between religious leaders and the government.
While
acknowledging the government’s concern about misuse of the freedom to worship
by fraudulent religious leaders who extort money from worshipers and radicalize
the youth, Father Rono said religious leaders were keen to adopt
self-regulation.
acknowledging the government’s concern about misuse of the freedom to worship
by fraudulent religious leaders who extort money from worshipers and radicalize
the youth, Father Rono said religious leaders were keen to adopt
self-regulation.
The
religious leaders drawn from Muslim, Hindu, National Council of Churches of
Kenya (NCCK), KCCB and evangelical Churches resolved to convene series of
meetings to discuss the matter further and give way forward to the government.
religious leaders drawn from Muslim, Hindu, National Council of Churches of
Kenya (NCCK), KCCB and evangelical Churches resolved to convene series of
meetings to discuss the matter further and give way forward to the government.
President
Kenyatta said that he expected the outcome to be a development of firm and fair
regulations that uphold the sacrosanct principles of religious freedom that
underpin the democratic ideals as guaranteed by the Kenyan constitution.
Kenyatta said that he expected the outcome to be a development of firm and fair
regulations that uphold the sacrosanct principles of religious freedom that
underpin the democratic ideals as guaranteed by the Kenyan constitution.
“The
government remains committed to an open, transparent and accessible government
where public participation and consideration of a broad range of views is
paramount,” He added
government remains committed to an open, transparent and accessible government
where public participation and consideration of a broad range of views is
paramount,” He added
By Rose Achiego, Waumini
Communications KCCB
Communications KCCB
