If the recommendations of a task force formed by President William Ruto are adopted, any religious leader who falsely performs miracles, healings, or blessings to extort unsuspecting Kenyans will be guilty of committing an offence.

The presidential task force on the Review of the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Religious Organisations in Kenya has submitted recommendations to provide clarity on how religious institutions should be governed. These proposals are included in the Religious Organisations Bill, 2024.

One of the recommended strategies involves prosecuting religious leaders who ask their congregation to give cash to earn 'financial favor from God.'

Those found guilty will be required to pay Ksh.5 million or face ten years imprisonment, or both. The bill states, "A religious leader who by means of any false and fraudulent representations, tricks, or schemes as to healing, miracles, blessings, or prayers, extorts or fraudulently obtains any financial gain or material benefit from any person or induces the person to deliver money or property to the religious leader commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Ksh.5 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to both."

Additionally, any religious leader who uses force, threats, or intimidation to coerce another person to join their religion will face a fine not exceeding Ksh.1 million, a three-year jail term, or both.

Parents will, however, be legally allowed to determine the religious upbringing of their children.

Furthermore, anyone who uses religion to belittle another person's religious beliefs and does anything that threatens their safety will face a Ksh.5 million fine, 20 years imprisonment, or both.

The task force also recommended that churches should not engage in politics to gain power or organize a debate to support a political candidate.

If found guilty, the institution will be liable to pay a fine not exceeding Ksh.500,000, six months imprisonment, or both.

The task force was formed in May 2023 to identify and seal loopholes that may have allowed the growth of religious cults in society.