All is set for Monday July 24, 2023 when the Ad hoc committee on the Proliferation of Religious Organisations will hold a public hearing to get the views of the members of the public on its mandate.

In an advert in the local newspapers last week, the Committee, which is chaired by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana, extended an invite to interested members of the public and organisations to make representations on any of the matters falling within the mandate of the Committee.

The public hearing will be conducted in County Hall, Mini Chamber, between 9.30am and 1.00pm.

Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders require Parliament to facilitate public participation and involvement in the legislative and other business of Parliament and its Committees.

The committee further asked those who can to submit memoranda to the office of the Clerk of the Senate through postal address, P.O. Box 41842-00100, Nairobi.

“The memoranda can also be hand-delivered to the Office of the Clerk of the Senate, First Floor, Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi or emailed to clerk. senate@parliament.go.ke, to be received on or before Monday, 24th July 2023 at 5.00 p.m.”

The committee was formed on April 27, 2023 and mandated to investigates circumstances under which the deaths in Shakahola occurred, investigate the role played by Paul Mackenzie of the Good News International Church, his pastoral team and the Kilifi County Security committee in aiding and abetting the deaths of the followers of the Good News International Church, establish through the office of the Registrar of Societies, the number and activities of religious groups in the country including their registration and compliance status and audit the legal and registration framework for religious organizations in the country.

The committee is also mandated to develop a legislative proposal on regulation of religious activities in the country and Make any other recommendation that will prevent religious organizations from extreme indoctrination of their followers including radicalization, spiritual and financial exploitation.

“The Ad Hoc Committee hereby invites interested members of the public and organisations to a public hearing to make representations on any of the above-mentioned matters falling within the mandate of the Committee,” the advert read in part.