What we should do to save Musyimi report

During the 2022 campaigns, the crème de la crème of Kenya’s religious community became a classic case of how best to cheerlead politicians. 

They leased out the pulpit, pocketed huge amounts of cash and ‘blessed’ highest bidders. That time, voters were told the country needed ‘God-chosen’ leaders. It was a pure entanglement of politics and religion. The clergy’s treachery and vulnerability to political manipulation was proven beyond doubt.  

Post the election, the religious leadership that yapped a lot hasn’t spiritually policed our democracy beyond the ‘flower girls’ they were at manifesto launches and home-comings. What we’ve seen is a surge in public enthusiasm to have them regulated. Meanwhile, the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi County continues to prick our conscience.

Anyone can say anything now but the naked truth is the sect killings exposed intelligence failure, and left our religious community badly tangled. Who will take responsibility? What of accountability?  

A taskforce headed by former National Council for Churches in Kenya chief Mutava Musyimi has now revealed the absence of a coherent policy framework to govern religion. The team says the Societies Act doesn’t tackle extremism, and wants a Religious Affairs Commission formed.

Picked in May 2023, the taskforce is equally optimistic in seeking changes to Kenya’s education curriculum fearing the full extent of radicalisation. They’ve crafted a Draft Religious Organisations Bill and a Draft Religious Organisations Policy. After President William Ruto received their report on Tuesday, it’s important to digest bitter truths on what next.

The team’s proposals, however solid, hinge on the political will to implement. Our elites, aware of the substantial support they garner from religious groups, may be reluctant to back reforms that might alienate their voter base.

It’s a no-brainer that political interests override everything. There’s only one way for the Musyimi proposals to see light of day. We must depoliticise religion.

Those who cherish links and roles that imply they want to be in good books with religious groups for political expediency, must be called out. Otherwise, Rev Musyimi’s report will be dead on arrival – another waste of time and resources.

Also, religious formations, no matter size and creed, must be seen and treated within the same legal purview. Having sacred cows will instantly kill the report. It must be a fresh start for all, even mainstream churches. Equity before the law is key. Let no one fool us with self-regulation talk.

Besides proper vetting going forward, it’s not too early to talk about taxing religious groups. While clergy can engage in politics and hold harambees, they must be held to account for every coin they make just like business enterprises which consistently face KRA’s wrath. It’s called fair play.

It’s important for the clergy to rediscover their prophetic voice and emulate Ndingi Mwana a’Nzeki, Kipsang Muge and Henry Okullu who detested greed. Public good fired up their quest to earn the church a sure place in our democratic history during Moi days. We miss them.  

The clergy must shake of their political tag and do more to look genuine. Archbishop of San Salvador Oscar Romero once said that when the church hears cries of the oppressed, it cannot but denounce the social and political structures perpetuating misery from which people’s cry arises.

At the altar of greed that pushes clerics into unholy unions, we’ve crucified key traditions that should inspire them to be good shepherds. It is vain material gain that led to the Shakahola horror. Now, we must legally tame it.

Let religious groups stand up and be counted. They should address the press soon to declare full support for proposals by the 17-member Musyimi taskforce proposals. The ideas must not be doomed to the fate of TJRC and Ndung’u land reports that bit the dust to Kenyans’ chagrin.