Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged religious-affiliated universities to take a more active role in countering misaligned religious doctrines and cults by ensuring that clerics are adequately trained and equipped to represent the true teachings of their faiths.
Speaking at State House in
Nairobi on Tuesday during the awarding of charters to the Islamic University of
Kenya and the National Intelligence and Research University, Kindiki expressed
concern over the rise of rogue religious figures with questionable doctrines, potentially
leading to harmful consequences.
“I expect that you will help
this administration to ensure that people in the education sector, especially
those with a faith inclination, assist the government in ensuring that
religious educators [are] well-trained and represent the values of their
religion,” he said.
He referenced the growing
problem of religious extremism and misconduct, which has at times led to
security breaches in the country.
“In the past, we have had to
deal with serious security breaches resulting from the teachings and actions of
people claiming to be representatives of the Christian faith.”
The Deputy President’s remarks
came amid heightened concerns over the role of religious leaders in recent
tragic events.
One of the most chilling incidents
in recent months has been the Shakahola massacre, where over 400 people died
under the influence of cult leader Paul Mackenzie.
Mackenzie allegedly led his
followers to starve themselves to death in a remote area of Shakahola, a forest
located about two hours’ drive west of Malindi.
Police arrested Mackenzie in
April after the discovery of 429 bodies, including children, in mass graves.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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