There's no freedom without responsibility

The Government’s withdrawal of proposed regulations on religious societies is laudable but accountability is necessary.

The religious societies are, however, accountable to their members.

The attempt to regulate religion would have been the last straw in a string of laws that threaten to erode gains made in the past in regard to civil liberties and freedoms.

The State seems to have realised that it would take more to determine the future of religion for Kenyans. This is a private and personal matter that is protected by the Constitution that expressly provides every individual with the right and freedom of worship.

The Government has no business getting involved in peoples’ spiritual affairs and any attempt to strictly regulate religious groups is an affront to the Constitution.

Any attempt at regulating the religious sector must be a process that involves religious leaders and stakeholders with the participation of the Government and the public in a structured consultation.

Such a setup would enable the development of firm and fair regulations that uphold the sacrosanct principles of religious freedom that underpin the democratic ideals as guaranteed in the Constitution.

Any isolated moves to bring sanity to this sector that has been rocked by a plethora of scandals recently would fail.

The Government’s further reassurance that it is steadfastly committed to facilitating a free and open society that maintains a vibrant religious environment is more than welcome.

However, the ball still lands in the court of religious organsations to clean up their acts and put their houses in order.

The obsession among some religious groups with financial collections and extravagant lifestyles leaves a lot to be desired.

Inasmuch as there is no justification to control faith and one’s choice of religion, since there are laws in place to deal with such aberrations, the faithful must now stand up and question the dubious and unethical activities of some religious groups.

Societies that teach radical views that undermine public security and morality must be questioned.