Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has suggested new guidelines to monitor admission of pastors in Kenya.
In an exclusive interview with Kenyans.co.ke, the politician called out on the government to implement stringent measures before any church is allowed to operate.
"There are a lot of con artistes under the disguise of preachers. All pastors should have a degree in theology and should adhere to ethics.
"Parliament should also come up with laws to monitor mushrooming of churches everywhere and church leaders should be vetted," he stated.
[caption caption="Boni Khalwale"]
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The former senator added that as much as freedom of worship is allowed in Kenya, it should not be abused because some churches are fleecing congregants in the name of building the kingdom.
"I admire the old churches (Catholic, ACK, PCEA, AIC and SDA) because their leaders are well-trained. I have been to churches where people are asked to contribute towards buying the pastor a car for his birthday. It is a shame.
"Foreign preachers should also be monitored because some of them just come to make money. They should be issued with a work permit and their motives should be pure," he added.
Khalwale also applauded Rwanda President Paul Kagame after he recently closed 700 churches on grounds of misleading the public.
"What President Kagame is doing to prevent exploitation of the public by vetting the clergy is long overdue in Kenya," he tweeted.
Last month, Kagame took the bold step in a bid to tighten rules on registration and functioning of churches in the country in the face of rising cases of fraud and security concerns.
“Seven hundred churches in Kigali? Are these boreholes that give people water?” I don’t think we have as many boreholes.
"Do we even have as many factories? But 700 churches, which you even had to close? This has been a mess!” remarked Kagame.
[caption caption="Paul Kagame"]
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