President William Ruto has picked former National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Secretary-General Mutava Musyimi to head a task force to revise laws governing churches.

Rev Musyimi will be assisted by Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Bishop Mark Kariuki, Bishop Philip Kitoto, lawyer Charles Kanjama, advocate Judy Thongori and Mary Kitegi as members.

Ruto has also appointed Dr Alphonse Kanga, Prof Musili Wambua, Joseph Wabwire, Leah Kasera, Nancy Murega, Faridun Abdalla and Wilson Wanyanga to the 14-member task force.

According to a gazette notice dated May 4, 2023, the presidential taskforce will “review the legal and regulatory framework governing religious organizations in Kenya.”

The president has also appointed Martin Ndiwa and Goretti Nyariki as joint secretaries.

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This comes amid debate on whether churches in Kenya should be regulated following exhumation of 112 bodies from Shakahola linked to Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s cultic church.

Followers of Mackenzie’s Good News International Church in Kilifi County were reportedly brainwashed by the controversial cleric to starve to death in order to meet Jesus Christ.

The Musyimi team is tasked with finding legal, governance and institutional gaps that allowed the existence of religious extremism and cults engaging in harmful practices.

The task force is then expected to propose the best remedies on certification requirements for all religious bodies and those leading them before they are registered to work in Kenya.