Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has clarified that the government is not behind a Bill that’s been introduced in the Senate seeking to regulate management of religious organisations and their activities in the country.
The Religious Organizations Bill, 2024, has caused uproar amongst the clergy, with religious leaders calling for its withdrawal, saying its enactment will censure freedom of worship.
The Bill provides a regulatory framework, tough conditions for registration, and harsh punishment for rogue operators.
It says a person shall not establish, manage, operate, or assist in the establishment, management or operation of a religious organisation or an umbrella religious organisation unless the organisation is registered in accordance with the Act.
“A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.”The AG said her office has taken note of reports associating the Bill with the government.
“It is hereby clarified that the Religious Organizations Bill, 2024, is a privately sponsored Bill brought forth by Senator Danston Mungatana, in accordance with Part XXI of the Senate Standing Orders,” Oduor said in a press statement on Friday.The AG said as a privately sponsored Bill, the proposed piece of legislation reflects the independent views and legislative agenda of Senator Mungatana.
“This office confirms that the Bill is not a government-sponsored initiative, and as such, the government is not the sponsor nor driver of the proposed legislation,” she affirmed.The Bill is at the moment undergoing the legislative process before the Senate.
Oduor said usual legislative processes will apply, including debate, public participation and scrutiny by the relevant committees in Parliament.
