Francis Kooli, the Bungoma police commander, has given a 30-day warning to all churches in the Bungoma district, forcing them to comply with government regulations on registration.
Churches will be compelled to post their registered certificates on the church door. Posters are also required to hold a theological certificate.
The announcement came at the height of the Shakahola cult's death toll, which reached 235 on Thursday.
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For many years, the church has been a vital element of the Bungoma community, with members relying on it for spiritual guidance and moral uprightness.
While many church leaders applauded the action, some were concerned about the regulation.
They believe the government should not meddle with its operations because the church is religious.
However, given the prevalence of cults and dishonest preachers, the government has taken a hard line.
In other news, Police officers captured a self-proclaimed "prophet" in Homa Bay, identified as Joseph Otieno Chenge of Jerusalem Mowar Church. On Wednesday evening, he was arrested at his church in Ruri East Sub-location, Lambwe Central Location, Mbita Sub-county. Chenge was accompanied by six pastors and five worshippers staying at the church. Chenge and the other accused are being held at Mbita Police Station.
The arrest was made due to concerns regarding Chenge's questionable religious practices, as stated by Abed Kavoo, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officer in Homa Bay.
Kavoo said their preliminary investigations revealed that the cleric was detaining sick people ‘to pray for them’ instead of allowing them to seek medication in hospitals.
The chief investigator said they found Chenge in contravention of the law by operating a church without a registration license.
Apart from the registration license, the man of God also lacked a medical practitioner’s license, allowing him to treat patients with various ailments.
