The church has told the government to keep off its affairs, warning that further regulation will do more harm than good and undermine the spiritual foundations of worship.
In an exclusive interview with The Kenyan Tabloid on Monday, Nomiya Church Cardinal Archbishop Moses Teddy Ayoma Oketch said existing national laws are sufficient and that any additional legislation targeting churches would dilute the gains already made.
Ayoma said the church had formally asked the government to allow faith institutions to regulate themselves through an independent umbrella body mandated to oversee church operations across the country.
“We have already asked the government to leave the church alone so that the church can come up with its own guiding framework. The church does not quarrel with Kenya. The country already has laws that govern organisations and institutions,” he said.
The cleric cautioned that over-legislation could infringe on constitutional freedoms, arguing that piling up laws often leads to increased violations rather than compliance.
“The more laws you put in place, the more people break them, and the more you deny others their constitutional rights,” Ayoma said, noting that the church had submitted its views to the commission reviewing proposed laws to govern religious institutions in Kenya.
He maintained that oversight of churches, including registration, should remain the responsibility of a church-led umbrella body rather than the state.
“It is the mandate of the umbrella body to oversee church operations. If we leave that role to the government, including registration, we will dilute the good that has been there,” he said.
Ayoma stressed that the church is guided by spiritual leadership rather than excessive legal controls, insisting that existing guidelines are adequate.
“The church is led by the Spirit, not by so many imposed laws. The guidelines already in place are more than enough to govern us,” he added.
Beyond church-state relations, the cleric urged Kenyans to exercise financial prudence during the festive season, warning that January comes with heavy financial obligations.
He reminded families to plan for rent, school fees for senior schools, secondary schools, and colleges, and other post-holiday expenses.
Ayoma also raised concern over the spike in road accidents during the festive period, blaming overspeeding, careless driving, and overloading, particularly by public service vehicles (PSVs).
“Accidents do not just happen; they are caused by people. I urge motorists to observe speed limits and road rules. It is better to arrive home late but alive than to die on the road,” he said.
He warned that overloaded vehicles are more prone to accidents and called on drivers to resist the temptation to carry excess passengers for profit.
“As we celebrate, let us remember that the new year is coming with bills to pay. Avoid wasting money and avoid blaming politicians or society when they cannot support your harambees,” Ayoma said.
