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{
    "id": 1349573,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1349573/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 627,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mumma",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "as associations. They are registered by mortals and already regulated. So, I found it extremely sad to hear comments like “we are looking for God to regulate these institutions”. The difference between a cult and a religious organisation is not something that may be distinguished easily. The only way you can prohibit cults and other terrorist-like organisations is to have regulations and requirements about those who claim to be running a religious organisation. Religion has once been said to be the opium of the people. It tends to be the opium of the very poor. It is the poor who are manipulated to do what they can to get out of poverty. The exploitation of the poor in Kenya through religion is extremely high. It is something we should not shy from speaking about. This is the country people are selling their properties and giving them to the church leadership and remaining poor because there is a hope that, they will get rich at some point. We are watching as this happens. We are so terrified to criticize religious leaders in this country. This is because as politicians, we want to rely on their psychological mobilization of their supporters to give us votes. However, we have reached that stage where we must call a spade a spade. Religious organizations and religion is now starting to be the new frontier for the abuse of human rights. When you hear that a priest has sexually molested boys or girls, we do not cover that story for long. Politicians will not talk about it because they fear that they will lose votes if they criticize the religious leaders doing these things. I urge that, as a nation, we take this issue seriously and do what we have to do. I urge the country to consider following what Rwanda has done to ensure that religious organisations are actually vetted properly and regulated to ensure that they do not do what has been happening. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, another challenge is in the way we operate. As a Senate, we allowed an inquiry to happen on this issue while simultaneously, the Executive is also investigating it. I know there is a clash. We have even heard some Members castigate or call to order the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration for not allowing certain people to give evidence. Even as we proceed with this Report, we need to recognise the provisions of Article 50 of the Constitution, in terms of the right to fair hearing. I urge that we must find that fine balance between what we do as a House and what is happening out there. This is so that the rules of justice will not exonerate a criminal because we had parallel and conflicting methods of doing this enquiry. I wish that we all put our mind to this and find a way in which Parliament can do its job in terms of inquiries by Committees. However, we should also let the Executive take responsibility for its primary role in investigating criminal matters. This is to ensure that both teams are able to focus on ensuring justice, particularly, for those who are victims of the crimes that we are talking about. A number of issues and comments have been made on the Floor. I wish that we carefully consider the report and contribute to ensure that those perpetrators will be properly brought to book. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}