NAIROBI JANUARY 23, 2015(CISA)–The Catholic Church in Kenya has no reason to fear the proposed regulations that would regulate and monitor religious leaders working in the country.
In a phone interview with CISA, the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Commission for Clergy and Religious (Liaison Committee) Bishop Anthony Ireri Mukobo, said the Catholic Church in Kenya already has regulations which are known by the government.
“We have our regulations which are known by the government and they know that we are very organized and well behaved. In fact, every diocese submits its returns every year,” Bishop Mukobo of the Catholic vicariate of Isiolo told CISA on Thursday January 23.
If adopted, the rules proposed by the registrar of societies will require imams, pastors, rabbis and other religious leaders to obtain certificates of good conduct from the police and clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
“These regulations are overdue for other churches but the Catholic Church regulates itself. The Catholic Church is not in that category of conning people. We do not even need to go to court when sorting out our internal matters,” added bishop Mukobo.
Anglican Church of Kenya head Archbishop Dr Eliud Wabukala opposed the regulations saying he would meet all the bishops next month to discuss the matter and later seek audience with the AG to seek the nullification of the circular and drafting of a more accommodative one.
Sections of Pentecostal churches have also protested the proposed regulations.
According to the regulations, all religious organizations will be required to furnish with details of their leaders, committee members and registered trustees including giving copies of their identification cards, certificates of good conduct, Personal Identification Number (PIN) and tax clearance or tax exemption certificates among other documents.
