Cult leaders, advocates of religious extremism, fake prophets and other unscrupulous religious leaders in Kenya were Tuesday put on notice after two teams were sworn in to investigate their conduct and look into religion’s regulatory framework in the country, Daily Nation reports.

The teams — a commission of Inquiry to unravel the circumstances that led to the Shakahola massacre and another to identify gaps and propose legal and governance changes to prevent religious extremism — were sworn in Tuesday and are expected to start work immediately.

The Taskforce on the Review of the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organisations is expected to come up with proposals on standards and minimum certification requirements for all religious organisations and their leaders to they registered and allowed to operate.

Headed by Rev Mutava Musyimi, a former General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) , the 14-member task force has also been mandated to identify gaps in the legal, institutional and governance system that have allowed cults and extremist groups to operate, and make proposals on how the public can report such cases.

Meanwhile, the Commission of Inquiry into the Shakahola Tragedy, headed by Court of Appeal Judge Jessie Lesiit, will investigate the deaths, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of members and individuals associated with the Good News International Church in Malindi, Kilifi County, led by Paul Mackenzie.

Justice Lesiit said Tuesday that the task ahead was daunting and promised that they would do their best.

Rev Musyimi described the Shakahola deaths as a tragedy, adding that there could be more cults that are yet to be discovered.

“The fact that we are here today must underline the gravity of this issue. I know that the people of Kenya are looking to us to deliver and we cannot let them down,” he said.

High Court Principal Judge Eric Ogola, who presided over the swearing-in on behalf of Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha Koome, said the tragedy had left an indelible mark on the country’s conscience and “exposed the vulnerability of Kenyans to religious extremism and other forms of abuse and exploitation by people who use religion as a cover for their criminal activities”.

Exposed weaknesses

The tragedy, he added, had also “exposed gaps and weaknesses in our legal, institutional and governance system that allowed atrocities to take place”.

“As the commission of inquiry and the presidential task force do their work, I urge all of us to reflect on our values, beliefs and practices as a people. Let us recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our constitution, which reminds us of the need to uphold human rights and dignity,” said Justice Ogola.

He reminded the teams that the constitution guarantees freedom of worship and conscience for all Kenyans and so religious diversity should be respected.

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