President William Ruto reaffirmed his government's commitment to protecting religious freedom in Kenya during a Sunday church service at AIC Milimani, Nairobi.

He emphasized that the freedom of worship would not be compromised despite ongoing discussions surrounding a proposed code of conduct for religious institutions.

PHOTO | COURTESY President Ruto 

Addressing concerns about potential limitations on worship, Ruto assured religious leaders that the Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of worship. He warned against efforts to curtail these rights, stating, "We will ensure that the freedom of worship in Kenya remains intact and uncompromised."

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The president also encouraged religious leaders to create their policies regarding governance and regulation. His comments come in response to the proposed Religious Organisations Bill, 2024, which seeks to introduce stricter rules on religious centers.

PHOTO | COURTESY President Ruto 

The Presidential Taskforce on the Review of the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organisations presented the bill to the president on July 30.

Under the proposed bill, a Religious Affairs Commission would be established to oversee religious activities in Kenya. Religious institutions would be required to submit annual financial returns, maintain a register of members, and adhere to additional regulations. Institutions that fail to comply may face suspension for up to six months.

The commission would consist of representatives from various religious bodies, including the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Hindu Council of Kenya.