A petition by a reverend urging Members of Parliament (MPs) to regulate the proliferation of theological colleges in the country sparked heated debate in the House.
In a petition forwarded to the National Assembly, Reverend Josiah Njiru, Chairman of the Association of Pentecostal Vocational Training Institutions of Kenya (APVTIK), challenged MPs to address the unchecked influx of the institutions countrywide.
“In recent years, there has been a rapid rise in theological colleges, Bible schools, and online ministry training platforms, particularly among Pentecostal, charismatic, and indigenous movements, many of which operate without formal oversight,” the reverend noted in the petition.
Njiru’s petition sparked sharp division among MPs. Funyula MP, Wilberforce Oundo, observed, “The issues raised in this petition are very pertinent. But it is surprising, because historically, the religious community has resisted regulation to safeguard freedom in expressing their doctrines.”
In his petition, the reverend raised concerns of the lack of a standardised curriculum, questionable accreditation, the emergence of diploma mills, and doctrinal confusion.
Other issues raised were pastoral unpreparedness and disparities in ministerial competence across denominations.
However, Emuhaya MP, Omboko Milemba, questioned the motive behind the move, asking, “Could this be a way of creating a monopoly or oligopoly of existing colleges?”
Further, Kinangop MP, John Njuguna, also cast doubt on the practicality of uniform teaching across the more than 200 theological colleges, given differences in interpretation among sects.
Njiru had argued that the lack of a regulatory framework tailored to theological education undermined quality assurance, credibility, and the integrity of the ministry.
The clergyman urged Parliament to enact a law allowing the Pentecostal and evangelical sector to establish a self-regulatory authority.
Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli alluded to this, stressing the duty of legislators to protect religion from exploitation, remarking, “We cannot leave religion to the mercies of mediocre pastors with minimal training. How can the blind lead the blind?”
He was supported by Tharaka MP, George Murugara, who, while agreeing with the idea of self-regulation within the Church, underscored the need for oversight of the very teachings offered to the congregants.
Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima supported the petition, saying, “This Petition is timely because we have seen how religion has been abused to mislead people, as witnessed in tragedies like Shakahola.”
The petition was committed to the Public Petitions Committee for consideration.
