A section of religious leaders from Kiambu County have called on the government to investigate and prosecute 'fake' preachers.
Speaking during a pastors' forum in Kiambu town on Saturday, Mr Caleb Kimani of Living Faith Assembly, Thika, said that conmen have infiltrated the church and are taking advantage of Kenyans in need of spiritual nourishment to fleece them of their hard earned money.
Kimani said the Christian fraternity expects the government to rein conmen who have found ‘a soft target’ to enrich themselves by misinterpreting the bible.
“The government has an obligation to protect its citizens from these 'wolves' in sheep skins,” Kimani said.
He added, "it is unfair to generalise all preachers as conmen. Some pastors are genuine in preaching the word of God."
He asked Christians to scrutinise their pastors and whether the gospel preached was biblical.
Kiambu Power of Grace Church Pastor Peter Maina said the public should not condemn them (pastors) when they are seen around with sleek cars or living in big houses because they also need to lead comfortable lives just like other Kenyans.
He said pastors also have businesses and other income generating ventures that supplement their salaries and allowances. On her part, Mary Wairimu of Ministry of Gospel in Kiambu, said self proclaimed preachers with big titles have never attended theological colleges and constitute majority of fake pastors in the country.
She proposed that measures must be put in place by the government to ensure those seeking church registration meet certain threshold.
Not long ago, controversial 'Pastor' Victor Kanyari of Salvation Healing Ministry Church was reported to be performing 'fake miracles' to get money from unsuspecting flock.