William Ruto: State will amend televangelism regulations

DP William Ruto and other leaders pray during a church service at JCC in Bamburi Mombasa on Sunday 10th January, 2016. (Photo: DPPS)

The Government has succumbed to pressure from Church leaders to amend the controversial televangelism laws.

Deputy President William Ruto Sunday said the clergy will be consulted in the search for "necessary adjustments" to the recently published regulations to kick out false prophets.

"I wish to assure and confirm to you and Christians across the country that the Government I have a say in will not do contrary to what the Bible teaches. Any regulation that may have been put in place that penalises genuine men of God will be amended," Ruto said.

Speaking at the Jesus Celebration Centre in Bamburi, Mombasa, the DP assured faithful that the Government will listen to the input of clerics on the proposed laws.

"We will be guided by your proposals and what the Bible teaches to make necessary adjustments and amendments so that we do not hinder the true prophets and men of God from doing what God has called them to do," Mr Ruto said.

He said there are false preachers who are duping Kenyans with fake miracles, adding that the Government will not hesitate taking action against them.

"We will facilitate the true prophets but as the Government we have the capacity to isolate those out to taint the Church so that we allow the rest to go on with the work they are called to do," the DP said.

JCC Bishop Wilfred Lai said the new regulations were out to punish genuine prophets and clerics on the pretext of reining in rogue preachers.

"We preach on televisions so that people can be saved. Arrest the fake preachers because as the Government you have the capacity and machinery to do so. The church is about helping people, not taking advantage of their miseries," Mr Lai said.

He said the proposed law would curtail the freedom of worship as enshrined in Chapter four the Constitution. The new regulation, which the Government says is meant to rein in rogue clerics, has criminalised 'seed' preaching or the preachers who encourage viewers to give money in exchange for miracles.