Religious leaders in Embu County, spearheaded by Pastor Harrison King’ang’i of CFF Kangaru, have strongly opposed the recently introduced church licensing regulations, stating that they are contrary to the assurances made by President William Ruto during his last presidential campaign. In a gathering held today in Embu, the leaders expressed their discontent, arguing that the government’s new rules would disproportionately affect smaller churches and ministries.
Pastor King’ang’i emphasized that the President had promised to support and protect the autonomy of churches, without subjecting them to excessive government oversight. The new requirements, including mandatory theological qualifications and tax compliance certificates, were described as restrictive and not in line with the pre-election agreements.
“During the campaign, we were guaranteed freedom to operate without heavy-handed regulation. What is now being proposed threatens the survival of many smaller churches that serve crucial roles in our communities,” Pastor King’ang’i remarked during the meeting.
The Embu church leaders are calling on the government to reconsider the new framework and engage in further discussions to ensure that the regulations do not hinder the operations of religious institutions. They are particularly concerned that the new measures could undermine the role of the church in providing spiritual and social support to vulnerable populations.
The opposition from Embu’s clergy adds to the growing debate across the country, as church leaders continue to push back against the regulations, urging for dialogue and amendments.