- Ruto said the church should not be blamed based on the activities of a few people.
- Pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church is accused of brainwashing his followers to starve to death in the belief that they will meet Jesus.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has vowed that his government will not relent in fighting people who are destroying others in the name of religion.
He said the state will deal with individuals who abuse the word of God in the same way other criminals are treated.
"The actions of a few people won't succeed in putting a blot on the Church. As a government we have decided to deal with the individuals that abuse the sanctity of faith and the word of God in a manner that we deal with all the other criminals," Ruto added.
The President was speaking on Sunday during a church service at AIC Milimani.
He said the church should not be blamed based on the activities of a few people.
Going further, the President asked for more time for government to investigate the happenings at Shakahola Forest.
"Our security officers are working round the clock so that we can unravel these acts that shame the people who want to abuse religion and cause loss of lives," Ruto said.
He added that the government will work with religious leaders and organisations to prevent such happenings.
Homicide detectives on Friday exhumed 29 bodies in Shakahola forest, the highest number in a day, taking the death toll to 179.
The President said that more than 200 people have lost their lives from a place they went to seek spiritual knowledge and guidance.
This is after police are investigating Pastor Paul Mackenzie of Good News International Church is accused of brainwashing his followers to starve to death in the belief that they will meet Jesus.
Ruto formed a 17-member task force to review legal and regulatory frameworks governing religious institutions in Kenya.
While forming the task force, Ruto said the team's main responsibilities will include identifying gaps that have allowed extremist religious organisations to set up shop in Kenya.
The team will also be expected to formulate a legal framework aimed at preventing radical religious entities from operating locally.
The committee members include Bishop Mark Kariuki, Bishop (Dr) Eli Rop, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Judy Thongori, Rev (Dr) Alphonse Kanga, Bishop Philip Kitoto and Dr Faridun Abdalla.
Others are Prof Musili Wambua, Joseph Khalende Wabwire, Mary Awuor Kitegi, Charles Kanjama, Leah Kasera, Nancy Murega and Wilson Wanyanga.
Martin Ndiwa Talian and Maria Goretti Nyariki will serve as the task force's joint secretaries.