The government has rolled out a new regulation that will require those seeking to register churches to produce academic credentials.
In a press statement dated Thursday, July 14, and seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Societies Registrar, Maria Nyariki, noted that church owners will now be required to produce a certificate, diploma or degree certificate in Theology.
Nyariki further stated that the certification should be from a recognised learning institution in the country or abroad as long as it is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
"In regard to registration of religious societies, documents to be submitted for registration include a certified copy of a Certificate, a Diploma or a Degree in Theology from a recognized theological institution from at least one officer of the society," Nyariki stated.
In addition, those interested in setting up the places of worship should also produce a valid certificate of good conduct and demonstrate compliance to the country's revenue collection policy.
"A tax compliance or exemption certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) from each officer of the society, pursuant to Section 23 of the Societies Act, must be produced."
Each founding member should also present personal documentation such as their identity cards, KRA pin, passport photographs and contact addresses.
Other documents required include a sworn affidavit by each officer indicating whether they are registered members or officers of other religious societies and the names of such societies.
The founders of new churches should also produce an introduction or recommendation letter from a registered religious society in good standing signed by any two officers of such a society.
In addition, a list of names of the members of the society, their ID card and phone numbers should also be filed.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), there are over 4,000 registered churches in the country as of the 2019 census.
A section of Kenyans have come out to laud the guidelines, stating that the mushrooming of churches in the country have become unmanageable with many turning into avenues of fraud.
