The Church and Clergy Association of Kenya has said the incident by controversial Pastor Paul Mackenzie should not be used to smear and malign the Pentecostal church.
CCAK national chairman Hudson Ndeda said security apparatus should be guided by Article 32 on the Freedom of Worship and resist temptations to overstep or usurp their powers over churches.
“We are committed to protecting the Pentecostal church hence urge sobriety to take precedence,” he said.
Mackenzie is accused of being behind the deaths of at least 109 people found buried in Shakahola forest in Kilifi.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ndeda said Kenyans should remember there are many pastors and church leaders with proven track records.
He condemned the actions by Mackenzie and dissociated CCAK from his religious practices as being unbiblical, unscriptural and unholy.
“As an umbrella body for Pentecostal churches, we want Kenyans to know that this was a church but a cult pursuing its selfish interests,” he added.
CCAK is an umbrella body that brings together churches and over 1, 000 religious leaders.
Ndeda urged the government to thoroughly investigate the Shakahola massacre and bring the culprits to justice.
He said CCAK is disturbed that politicians are now clamouring for church regulation.
“We urge them to avoid generalising pastors and church leaders since we already have enough regulations,” he said.
He said attempts by a secular body to institute regulations on the church will flop.
“If, and we emphasise, if there must be any further regulations, parliamentarians or government must fully incorporate us,” he said.
Ndeda urged the government to continue partnering with the church to make society a better place.
