The task force on the review of the legal and regulatory framework governing religious organisations has expressed hope that the era of religious extremism that leads to occultism will be eliminated if Government adopts the recommendations of the task force.
The task force led by Bishop Mark Kariuki of Deliverance Church listened to submissions from a public participation forum at ACK Holy Trinity church in Kericho and took note of proposals tabled before the committee on changes required to curtail religious extremist organisations in the country.
Participants in the forum included interreligious leaders, professionals, the civil society, among other members of the public who voiced their views on ways to curtail the rising occultist culture that impacted negatively on innocent Kenyans, citing the recent horrific Shakahola Massacre perpetrated by a self-proclaimed pastor.
Bishop Kariuki who addressed the press after the forum said the task force would continue engaging the public in various forums before submitting a final report which would be adopted to guide the operation of religious institutions in the country.
“There is hope that the cultism will end. The government is not out to choke anyone or the church and no church is under any investigations but are looking for ways of eliminating extremism and rationalism,” said Bishop Kariuki
He further explained that the mandate of the task force is identifying loopholes that have allowed extremist religious organisations to mushroom in the country and thereafter formulate a legal framework that will avert the emergence of radical religious entities from operating in Kenya.
The task force is conducting public participation forums across the counties for six months before submitting its final report.
The committee’s final report will inform standards to be used in the issuance of certificates to various religious organisations within the country.
The committee members of the task force comprised Bishop Mark Kariuki, Bishop (Dr) Eli Rop, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Judy Thongori, Rev (Dr) Alphonse Kanga, Bishop Philip Kitoto, and Dr Faridun Abdalla.
By Kibe Mburu and Elyne Chepkirui
