Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has come out guns blazing against the proposed Religious Organizations Bill 2024, accusing the government of using it to suppress, intimidate, and control the Church in Kenya.
The outspoken lawmaker said the Bill was not about accountability or order but a calculated attempt to weaken the moral and spiritual backbone of society. He urged Kenyans to reject the move, warning that if passed, the Bill would destroy the Church’s independence and spiritual authority in the country.
Religious Organisations Bill 2024 Threatens Church Freedom
Babu Owino has dismissed the Religious Organizations Bill 2024 as a state-sponsored plan to interfere with faith-based institutions and undermine their influence. Speaking on Monday, he condemned the Bill, saying it was being engineered by the Executive to finish the Church and silence its prophetic voice.
“I want to condemn the Bill that is being prepared by the Executive, a Bill that is interfering with the independence of the churches in this nation,” Babu said.
He insisted that the Church is a vital pillar in the country’s moral and social framework, adding that no government has the right to dictate how it operates. The legislator said religious freedom is guaranteed in the Constitution and should never be eroded by political schemes disguised as reform.
“The idea that is being brought by the Executive to fight and finish the Church in this nation is so gibberish and retrogressive. We will not sit back and watch the Church being finished. We will support anything that goes with God,” he declared.
Babu Says Bill Seeks to Silence and Intimidate the Church
Babu Owino accused the Executive of crafting laws that would limit what pastors preach and how churches operate. He warned that once the government starts controlling sermons and religious discourse, Kenya will be on a dangerous path toward dictatorship.
“The Church does not exist at the pleasure of any government. The Church exists by divine calling to speak the truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable,” Babu stated firmly.
He added that the Church has historically played a vital role in defending justice and standing up to oppressive regimes. Allowing the government to dictate church activities, he said, would compromise its ability to hold leaders accountable.
“The government has its place: to make laws, to protect citizens, and to serve the nation. The Church has its place: to nurture souls, to defend moral values, and to remind us all that power without justice is tyranny,” he said.
Babu further urged Christians to remain vigilant, claiming that silencing the Church would give the Executive unchecked power. He said leaders should embrace criticism from religious bodies instead of trying to suppress it.
Bill Restricts Churches from Political Engagement
According to the proposed Religious Organisations Bill 2024, religious institutions will be prohibited from engaging in any political activity aimed at acquiring power or supporting specific parties or candidates. The Bill also bars churches from organising political debates or endorsing any political figure.
The government argues that the move is intended to promote neutrality and prevent the exploitation of faith for political gain. However, critics like Babu Owino believe it is a tool to muzzle the Church and prevent it from influencing the moral direction of the nation.
He said such restrictions could turn the Church into a silent spectator, unable to challenge corruption, injustice, and poor governance. “When you silence the Church, you silence the voice of reason. The Church must remain free to speak truth to power,” he warned.
Kenya Risks Losing Moral Direction
Babu Owino urged Kenyans to resist attempts to strip the Church of its independence. He emphasized that the moral compass of the nation is grounded in faith and spiritual guidance, and weakening these institutions will erode the nation’s values.
He also reminded leaders that political authority is temporary, but spiritual leadership is eternal. “We respect our leaders. We pray for them. But we will not allow them to use the law to intimidate God’s people,” he said.
The legislator concluded that instead of targeting churches, the government should focus on addressing corruption, unemployment, and inequality—issues that continue to afflict millions of Kenyans.
The Religious Organisations Bill 2024 continues to face strong resistance from church leaders and sections of the public who view it as an attack on freedom of worship. Babu Owino’s call now adds more pressure on the government to reconsider the legislation before it becomes law.
