President William Ruto has received the report of the Presidential Taskforce on the Review of the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organisations in Kenya.

The taskforce was established in May 2023 following the Shakahola forest massacre where over 440 bodies were discovered, many of which showed signs of starvation, strangulation, and other forms of violence.

It was tasked with identifying gaps that have allowed extremist religious groups to operate in the country and formulating a legal framework to prevent such entities from endangering public health, safety, and national values.

The taskforce is expected to provide recommendations on actions the state can take against individuals and organisations involved in extremist practices.

Among those in custody is Paul Mackenzie, who faces charges of terrorism alongside 94 co-accused, all of whom have pleaded not guilty to various charges, including murder and child cruelty.

Chaired by Reverend Mutava Musyimi, the 17-member taskforce has put forth a series of bold recommendations, including the mandatory re-registration of all religious institutions under rigorous vetting processes.

Key proposals also include the establishment of a Religious Affairs Commission and the creation of specific laws tailored to govern religious organisations, ensuring they operate ethically and within legal boundaries.

“The Registrar of Religious Organisations should be empowered under the proposed Religious Organisations Bill to deregister and publicise names of individuals and groups linked to religious extremism, cultic, and occultism practices,” emphasized the report.

In addition to regulatory changes, the taskforce has called for amendments to existing laws, such as the Kenya Information and Communication Act, to better address the misuse of religious platforms.

They also stress the importance of education, advocating for updates to the national curriculum that promote religious tolerance and raise awareness about the risks associated with religious extremism.

During the report’s presentation, President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preserving religious freedom while also safeguarding citizens from potential abuses.

“We will continue to protect the freedom of religion, but we must also take steps to prevent its misuse that could harm Kenyans,” he declared.

With these recommendations, the government aims to implement stricter oversight of religious entities, thereby fostering a safer environment for all Kenyans while upholding their rights to practice their faith freely.