Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has officially withdrawn the contentious Religious Organisations Bill, which sought to regulate religious groups across Kenya.
During a joint press briefing with religious leaders on Wednesday, Mungatana confirmed that he had formally requested the withdrawal of the Bill through a letter submitted to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
“The Bill came into being as one of the recommendations of the Ad hoc Committee on the Shakahola Massacre, which led to the deaths of over 400 Kenyan citizens,” Mungatana stated.
The Bill had already undergone its first reading in the Senate but faced significant scrutiny during consultations with individuals and religious organisations.
“Following the consultations since the Bill passed its first reading, it was agreed that I withdraw the Bill to allow for further consensus-building among stakeholders,” he added.
In his letter to Speaker Kingi, Mungatana wrote: “In view of the above, this letter serves to officially confirm the withdrawal of the Bill, and for all intents and purposes, the Bill stands withdrawn.”
The proposed legislation aimed to address extremism and challenges posed by unregulated religious organisations. Among its controversial provisions was a penalty of Sh5 million, a three-year prison term, or both, for individuals operating unregistered religious groups.
It also outlined stringent requirements for registration, including a minimum of 25 members sharing the same faith, an endorsement from an umbrella religious body, and the presence of qualified management staff. At least one religious leader in an organisation was required to hold a degree, diploma, or certificate in theology.
However, President William Ruto had expressed a contrary position. In October, he emphasized that his government would not regulate religious activities, citing the constitutional right to freedom of worship. He also suggested that any reforms in the sector should be led by the religious institutions themselves, aligning with recommendations from the Presidential Taskforce chaired by Rev. Mutava.
In response to the broader conversation around regulation, religious leaders have formed a task force to establish a framework for self-regulation. This move aims to maintain accountability and transparency within religious organisations while safeguarding their spiritual mission.
“We reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the interests of our members and upholding the constitutional right to freedom of worship and assembly,” the religious leaders stated.
The task force’s efforts are expected to foster collaboration among stakeholders and address concerns over potential abuses without infringing on constitutional freedoms.
