The church of Christ and all religions in Kenya must support the government’s efforts to rein in criminal elements who are hiding in the church to swindle, hurt and kill people, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said.
Speaking during a Sunday service at Victory Revival Church in Tharaka Nithi County, Prof Kindiki said the government cannot allow criminals to continue using religion to rob and kill Kenyans in the guise of preaching the word of God.
‘I want to assure Kenyans that as the CS and with the support of President William Ruto, those who hide behind religion to swindle Kenyans will face the same wrath as bandits and terrorists who compromise the security of Kenyans,’ said Prof Kindiki.
He said as it stands now, the religious leaders have no option to support the government in the endeavor since no one was planning to back down.
He added: ‘And even if the church doesn’t support us, we will go ahead as government and implement our plan because we are doing this to protect our people which is our main mandate. Never again will our country be hurt so painfully.’
The CS further noted that the government is set to come up with a law to regulate the churches and ensure that no one will hide behind any religious body to hurt Kenyans.
He said some religious leaders have impoverished their followers by asking them to give offerings that they use to buy expensive vehicles and build mansions while at the same time misleading them with fake teachings and radicalisation.
Prof. Kindiki spoke this in relation to the case of Shakahola where at least 238 bodies have been exhumed from mass graves.
The CS said the rescue operations for the survivors in Shakahola forest would be extended to Tsavo National Park where people being rescued are escaping.
He assured Kenyans that Pastor Mackenzie will face charges related to the mass killings of his followers in the said Shakahola forest in Kilifi County.
Source: Kenya News Agency