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| Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino |
Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has firmly stated that churches should remain in opposition to any form of government interference, particularly regarding the proposed Religious Organisations Bill, 2024.
Speaking out against the Bill, which seeks to regulate religious organisations, Owino argues that the legislation is a deliberate attempt by the Executive to control and potentially dismantle the independence of churches in Kenya.
The controversial Bill, aimed at curbing religious extremism and ensuring accountability within religious groups, has sparked fierce debate.
While proponents argue that regulation is necessary to combat abuses and illegal activities within some religious organisations, Owino believes the government’s move is an overreach.
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| Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino |
“The churches should stay in opposition to government interference. The government has no business meddling with the independence of our churches,” Owino declared on Monday.
“This Bill is a direct attack on the church and its vital role in Kenyan society. We cannot allow such retrogressive measures to succeed.”
The lawmaker described the Bill as "gibberish" and "retrogressive," claiming it would undermine the autonomy of religious institutions that are central to the moral and spiritual fabric of Kenyan life.
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| Full Gospel Church, Narok |
Owino further warned that the Bill, if passed, could mark the beginning of a broader campaign to stifle religious freedom in Kenya.
“The church is too important to be subjected to government control. Allowing such interference would lead the country down the wrong path,” he added.
“We will stand against anything that seeks to undermine our faith and independence. This fight is about preserving what’s sacred to us.”
As the debate over the Bill intensifies, Owino’s words reflect a deep concern among religious leaders and ordinary Kenyans alike about the potential erosion of religious freedoms.
His call for churches to remain vigilant and oppositional to any attempts to regulate or control their activities could be seen as rallying point for those who fear that the Bill, despite its stated goals of accountability, could pave the way for government overreach.
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| A Church in Kenya |
With the Bill still under review, Owino’s remarks emphasize the broader concerns about maintaining a clear separation between church and state, especially in a country where religion plays a significant role in daily life.
His stance has ignited further discussion about the fine line between necessary regulation and undue interference, as Kenyans brace for what could be a landmark battle over religious freedoms in the nation.
Moreover, Babu Owino has shown his intentions as he eyes the Nairobi County gubernatorial seat. In his recent statements, he expressed doubt that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, led by Oburu Odinga, will endorse the incumbent governor, Hon. Johnson Sakaja, for the disputed seat.
However, the party leader, Oburu, revealed that Sakaja is not an ODM member and therefore will not be given the party’s ticket for the position. He further stated that he would instead decide to nominate a candidate of his choice.
Meanwhile, much has been said about the issue, and the MP’s fate remains in limbo.
