Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Raymond Omollo, has urged for the establishment of minimum standards to regulate religious organisations in Kenya, citing the growing threat of extremist teachings to national security and public well-being.
Speaking to an international media outlet on Sunday, August 31, 2025, Omollo reflected on the Shakahola Forest tragedy in Kilifi County, where hundreds of followers of the Good News International Ministries cult perished after being coerced into deadly fasting. He described the incident as a “dark blot in Kenya’s history” and a painful lesson for the country’s security and governance institutions.
“Not everyone claiming to be a religious leader is legitimate. There is an urgent need for minimum standards that regulate religious organisations,” Omollo stressed, warning that Kenya could not afford a repeat of such loss of life.
The Shakahola deaths exposed significant gaps in the monitoring and accountability of faith-based institutions. Omollo underscored the importance of striking a balance between protecting freedom of worship and safeguarding the public. “There has to be some level of self-regulation, internal governance and structure within religious institutions,” he added.
He revealed that the government is working on a religious bill that would require organisations to have constitutions, clearly defined leadership, and leaders with verifiable qualifications. “We are not saying the state wants to dictate doctrine or belief. But when faith leads to loss of life, we must ask difficult questions and act decisively,” he clarified.
His remarks mirror growing calls from civil society, lawmakers, and faith leaders for tighter oversight. While Kenya’s Societies Act provides a framework for registration, critics argue it is inadequate in preventing exploitation, indoctrination, and abuse. Proposals have ranged from the formation of interfaith regulatory councils to more robust legal checks, including mental health assessments for spiritual leaders.
The government has already launched a Commission of Inquiry into the Shakahola deaths and a Taskforce on the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organisations. Both are expected to recommend reforms to prevent future tragedies.
Omollo insisted that religious freedom remains a constitutional right, but warned that the state has a duty to act when faith is weaponised against the lives and safety of citizens.
