Religious Leaders To Face High Fines, Jail Terms For Extorting Believers

The presidential taskforce on the Review of the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organisations in Kenya submitted to President William Ruto recommendations to provide a frame work on how religious institutions would be governed.

Agiso Patience

Jul 31, 2024 - 11:05

Jul 31, 2024 - 11:11

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Religious Leaders To Face High Fines, Jail Terms For Extorting Believers

Following fatal incidences of loss of life nad property due to Religious ties and brainwashes new reforms have been put in place.

The presidential taskforce on the Review of the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organisations in Kenya submitted to President William Ruto recommendations to provide a frame work on how religious institutions would be governed.

According to the proposed bill ,hunting down religious leaders who ask their congregation to give cash to earn 'financial favour from God' will be welcomes as one of the key strategies and persons found guilty will pay dearly.

"A religious leader who by means of any false and fraudulent representations, tricks or schemes as to healing, miracles, blessings or prayers, extorts or fraudulently obtains any financial gain or material benefit from any person or induces the person to deliver money or property to the religious leader commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Ksh.5 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to both," reads part of the bill.

Still on the same line any religious leader who uses threats, force, or intimidation to coerce another person to join their religion will pay a fine not exceeding Ksh.1 million or a three-year jail term or both.

Additionally anyone who uses religion to belittle another person's religious belief and does anything that threatens their safety will pay Ksh.5 million, 20 years imprisonment or both.

The taskforce also recommended that churches should not engage in politics to gain power or organise a debate to support a political candidate.

If found guilty, the institution will be liable to pay a fine not exceeding Ksh.500,000 or 6-month imprisonment or both.

This was in response to the Shakahola tragedy that saw over 400 bodies exhumed from the forest linked to pastor Paul Mackenzie.

Any religious leader who falsely performs miracles, healings or blessings to extort innocent Kenyans will be guilty of committing an offence if the president adopts the recommendations.