Lawyer Willis Otieno has slammed suggestions that the government should regulate churches, saying such a move would threaten Kenya’s religious freedom.
Speaking on X, Otieno argued that punishing churches for individual wrongdoing is wrong.
“The State’s failure to deal with individuals who have abused the pulpit cannot be converted into an excuse for government control of religion,” he wrote.
He pointed out that existing laws already cover crimes such as fraud, abuse, coercion, and violence.
“The solution is enforcement of the law, not capture of the religious space,” Otieno added.
The lawyer also called on churches to take charge of their own accountability.
“Churches must speak for themselves and regulate themselves without surrendering autonomy,” he said, warning that government control today could lead to approval of beliefs tomorrow.
Kenya’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but discussions on regulating churches have intensified after reports of misconduct in some congregations.
Otieno’s remarks highlight the tension between accountability and preserving religious liberty.