A petition has been submitted to the National Assembly urging Parliament to create a legal framework to regulate theological colleges, citing concerns over the quality and credibility of religious education in Kenya.
The petitioners argue that the lack of formal oversight has allowed substandard institutions to operate freely, contributing to tragedies like the Shakahola massacre.
Sessional Speaker Martha Wangari, while presenting the petition on Thursday, said: “In recent years, there has been a rapid rise in theological colleges, Bible schools and online ministry training platforms, particularly among Pentecostal, charismatic and indigenous movements, many of which operate without formal oversight.”
Rev. Njiru, representing the petitioners, acknowledged that the growth of such institutions has expanded access to theological education but warned of inconsistent curricula, questionable accreditation, diploma mills, doctrinal confusion, inadequate pastoral training, and wide disparities in ministerial competence across denominations.
He urged Parliament to enact a law allowing the Pentecostal and evangelical sector to form a self-regulatory authority to maintain quality and credibility.
The petition prompted a debate among MPs, with some highlighting the need for oversight and others cautioning against infringing on religious freedom.
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo noted: “The issues raised in this petition are very pertinent. But it is surprising, because historically, the religious community has resisted regulation to safeguard freedom in expressing their doctrines.”
Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba questioned whether the petition could be a way to create a monopoly among existing colleges, while Kinangop MP John Njuguna expressed doubts about standardising teaching across more than 200 theological institutions with differing interpretations.
Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli stressed the responsibility of legislators to prevent exploitation of religion, saying: “We cannot leave religion to the mercies of mediocre pastors with minimal training. How can the blind lead the blind?”
Tharaka MP George Murugara supported church-led self-regulation but emphasized the need for oversight of teachings offered to congregants. Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima endorsed the petition, linking it to past religious tragedies.
“This Petition is timely because we have seen how religion has been abused to mislead people, as witnessed in tragedies like Shakahola,” he said.
The petition was referred to the Public Petitions Committee for further consideration.
The Shakahola tragedy in 2023 resulted in the discovery of over 400 bodies in a remote forest near Malindi, with victims reportedly followers of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly encouraged them to starve themselves to reach heaven.
Recently, authorities exhumed 32 more bodies in Kwa Binzaro, Kilifi, renewing criticism of efforts to address extremist sects.
Government officials and local residents have linked these deaths to the same Christian sect responsible for the Shakahola fatalities, underlining the urgency of regulating theological institutions to prevent further loss of life.