President Uhuru Kenyatta orders AG Muigai to consult with religious leaders on regulations

President Uhuru Kenyatta

NAIROBI: President Uhuru Kenyatta Tuesday appeared to yield to the pressure and directed Attorney General Githu Muigai to hold wider consultations with religious organisations before implementing a raft of contentious codes to regulate the clergy.

State House Spokesperson, Manoah Esipisu released a statement last evening stating" His Excellency the President has noted the current debate on the proposed Religious Societies Rules 2015. The President has directed  the AG to ensure all proposals relating to the creation of a framework for religious societies  and organisations  is undertaken after thorough and exhaustive consultations  with all the groups.

 The president was reacting to public outcry following revelations that the state had yet again introduced a new code which required among other things for clergy  to undergo theological teaching and that all religious organisations register their members. 

The regulations which were to be gazetted by the AG also made it mandatory for all preachers to get a certificate of good conduct from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

State House told the AG to guard against undermining the fundamental values and principles enshrined in the constitution which was a way of life of Kenyans by consulting as many Kenyans as possible.