Kenyan clergies rally against church tax bill

An alliance of Kenyan churches Monday petitioned the William Ruto government over a controversial bill to tax and regulate religious groups in the country.

The petition by the Nyanza Council of Church Leaders says they ”are strongly opposed to the Religious Organizations Bill 2024, that has been approved by a section of Members of Parliament to tax, regularize, deregister and register religious organizations and vet its clergy across the country”.

Kenya’s infamous tax regimes had been abandoned following deadly protests in July.

The 14-member church alliance voices its rejection of the bill in totality while requesting President William Ruto, a Christian by faith to refrain from assenting to a piece of legislation which would undermine efforts to help the poor and needy in Kenyan society.

The Kenyan parliament is poised to pass the bill.

”While we agree that church businesses that are independently registered can be taxed, we frown at and disagree that church offerings, tithes and free will donations should be taxed. Our take is that church leaders as well as members of the congregation are equally tax payers who pay various taxes as stipulated by the law and these taxes include Value Added Tax {VAT} among other form of taxes” the petition said.

Referring to the Bible, the petitiners quote the book of Malachi 3:7-12 which says “Bring all the tithe and offerings into the store-house that there may be meat in my house and prove me now herewith, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out blessings that there shall not be room enough to receive it,”.

The peititioners hold that funds that have already been surrendered to the cause of God, ”can’t be in any way taxed by the government…Otherwise, we are bringing a curse to the government and the nation. There are many widows and orphans seeking assistance from the church and the money given to them by the clergy are the offering and tithes that are received. Our income is not guaranteed as it always fluctuates”.

The government of President Ruto has not responded to the petition.

WN/as/APA