Churches in Kisumu County have voiced their displeasure at the planned regulation of churches by the national government.
The county churches clergy chairperson Bishop Winnie Owiti said the state plans to introduce some regulation yet they were not consulted.
“We were not consulted on how the regulations will work and we will give a stand as Kisumu churches over this very soon,” she said.
Bishop Owiti, who heads Voice of Salvation and Healing Church in Kisumu said they will consult among themselves and come up with recommendations in regard to the regulation and tax threats.
Treasury had put on notice all churches that they are the next in line to pay taxes for commercial activities that they run.
Addressing the press after a meeting with her fellow men of the cloth, Owiti said church goers give tax to the state and there is no need to double tax.
She said the church operates like any other charitable organization, and must just be exempted from paying tax.
“Why should we be taxed, it is very sinister, we are like a charitable organizations and must be exempted from paying tax,” she said.
Although charitable organizations such as churches are tax-exempt, there are fears that they have dabbled in commercial activities, from running conference centres, hotels and public service vehicles.