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Tag: Regulation

  • Cabinet approves religious sector reforms to curb exploitation

    Cabinet approves religious sector reforms to curb exploitation

    The Cabinet has approved a new framework that could significantly change how religious organisations operate in Kenya, nearly a year after the Shakahola cult tragedy exposed glaring regulatory gaps.

    This follows recommendations from the Presidential Taskforce on Religious Organisations, a landmark move to safeguard the integrity of religious practice while curbing exploitation.

    In a meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Tuesday, the Cabinet adopted a series of proposals that seek to strike a balance between freedom of worship and the need for accountability among faith-based entities.

    The reforms place religious leaders at the centre of accountability efforts, emphasising self-regulation over State control.

    Key proposals include enacting a legal framework to govern religious organisations, establishing a Religious Affairs Commission, and strengthening umbrella faith organisations for coordination.

    The model blends institutional autonomy with supportive oversight and calls for leadership standards, reforms to religious broadcasting, and civic education to promote tolerance and prevent extremism.

    The reforms will be implemented through a multi-agency collaboration involving security agencies, interfaith platforms, and educational institutions.

    The recommendations stem from the Presidential Taskforce on the Review of Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organisations, which was appointed in response to the Shakahola massacre.

    The tragedy, uncovered in 2023, involved the deaths of over 400 people linked to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church, who allegedly encouraged followers to starve themselves to “meet Jesus.”

  • Kenya best regulated ICT market, ITU says

    Kenya best regulated ICT market, ITU says

    Kenya has emerged as the top country in Africa with the best regulations covering information communication and technology.

    According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Kenya ranked top with a score of 93 points on the ICT Regulatory Tracker and improvement from 92 points scored earlier.

    “This ranking is a clear testament of the excellent work that CA has done in spearheading Kenya’s digital transformation and driving digital access for all. At 25, CA’s regulatory regime has attained maturity and gained global recognition,” said Steve Isaboke, Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications.

    According to the ranking by the United Nations agency, Nigeria was the second best regulated ICT market with a score of 92 followed by South Africa with 88 points.

    Globally, Kenya was ranked 20th out of 194 countries covered, with Italy topping the list at 100 points, followed by Lithuania at 99.5.

    ITU further rated Kenya’s ICT regulatory framework at the apex level of advanced fourth generation (G4), acknowledging the country’s competitive and inclusive ICT regulatory framework.

    “This ranking shows that CA staff and leadership are executing their work diligently,” he added.

    Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Director General David Mugonyi said the recognition comes at a time CA is preparing to commemorate its silver jubilee anniversary next month as the national ICT regulator.

    He said CA’s facilitative regulatory regime has enabled connectivity across the country, enabling consumer choice and access to ICT services for citizens and businesses.

    Other African countries in the top ten include Malawi, Egypt, Rwanda, Morocco, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Senegal made it to the top 10 list.

    Finland and Ireland tied in third position with 99 points.

    The ICT Regulatory Tracker is an evidence-based tool for decision-makers and regulators and highlights the strength of regulatory frameworks in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

  • Siaya: Clerics want Bill regulating religious bodies withdrawn

    Siaya: Clerics want Bill regulating religious bodies withdrawn

    Siaya clerics have called for the immediate withdrawal of a bill seeking to regulate religious bodies, terming it as synonymous with church persecution.

    Addressing the media after attending the Siaya County church leaders’ forum meeting held at the Skills for Living ministry headquarters in Siaya town, the clerics lamented that several clauses in the bill were hell bent at curtailing the spread of the gospel and, if not checked, will see the country degenerate into lawlessness.

    Led by the chairman of the forum, Archbishop James Opiyo Anyango and Organizing Secretary, Bishop Wilfred Amollo, the church leaders said it was unfortunate that the bill seeks to bar religious leaders from undertaking some of the principal duties bestowed on them by their spiritual books, such as praying for the sick.

    “This is not Biblical. We are ordained to pray for the sick” said Archbishop Opiyo Anyango adding that the bill further seeks to have those who are prayed for and recover to seek approval of their miracles by the ministry of health.

    The forum Organizing Secretary, bishop Amollo called on the government not to subject the religious organizations to sanctions just because one religious leader broke the law.

    He further condemned the demand that churches open three separate accounts for tithe, offerings and gifts/ donations that will be subject to government audit and taxation, saying that already, religious organizations and their leaders pay taxes.

    A member of the forum, Bishop Samuel Otieno warned that thuggery and lawlessness will increase in the country should the bill sail through.

    Bishop Otieno said clauses that bar preaching in schools should not be entertained.

    “The government cannot deny us the opportunity to preach the gospel” he said adding “quite a number of us here were preached to and left thuggery and other bad things”.