Clergy accuses Attorney General Githu Muigai of persecuting Church

The Chairman of Evangelical Alliance Bishop Mark Kariuki (centre), with other pastors addressing the press at AIC Milimani Church Nairobi where they opposed controlling of Churches by the Government  PHOTO BY: GOVEDI ASUTSA/STANDARD]

Kenya: Some church leaders have opposed plans by the Government to tighten regulations on registration of religious organisations.

Led by Evangelical Alliance of Kenya Chairman Bishop Mark Kariuki, they alleged that the move by the Attorney General Githu Muigai to stop registration of new churches and his proposal to introduce regulations amounted to persecuting the church.

They were addressing journalists at AIC Milimani Church where they met ahead of their meeting with the AG on Friday.

“We see this as persecution of the Church and we call on all Christians to support us and stand with us. When it comes to matters of faith, people are willing to die for the faith and we will stand firm with the church,” said Kariuki (pictured).

The leaders, however, affirmed that they were ready for the meeting with the AG, which will discuss proposed regulations on local religious organisations.

The move by the AG after KTN exposed how a Nairobi pastor, Victor Kanyari, has been fleecing his congregation by faking miracles.

The AG has directed existing religious organisations to file details on their current status and financial returns with the Registrar of Societies.

Among the details that the organisations are required furnish the registrar with are a copy of Kenya Revenue Authority’s personal identification number, full name of the organisation, a registration number, date of registration, details of office bearers, copies of their identification cards and their passport size photographs.

During the press briefing, Kariuki, argued that there is no need for the church to be punished for the since of one person.

Last week the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Keriako Tobiko on his official twitter page said Pastor Kanyari of the Salvation Healing Ministry Church should be investigated over allegations obtaining money by false pretences.

He also urged KTN to help investigators in tracing the victims who were interviewed for the story.