Clergy in Nyanza say NO to Bill aiming to tax offerings and tithes

 

The Nyanza Council of Church Leaders led by their Chairman Apostle Dr Washington Ogonyo Ngede address the press in Kisumu today where they have opposed a Bill aiming at taxing offering and tithes from the Church by the Government

By Dickson Odhiambo

September 23, 2024

Clergy in Nyanza say NO to Bill aiming to tax offerings and tithes

The Nyanza Council of church Leaders have vehemently opposed to the Bill that aims at taxing Churches offering and tithes if passed into law by Parliament.

The Nyanza Council of Church Leaders say they are opposed to the Religious Organizations Bill 2024, that has been approved by a section of Members of Parliament to tax, regularize, deregister and register religious organizations and vet its clergy across the country.

Addressing the press in Kisumu at Power of Jesus Around the World Church today, the Clergy led by the Nyanza Council of Church Leaders Chairman Apostle Dr Washington Ongonyo Ngede said they reject this bill in totality and appealed to President Dr William Ruto not to assent to this bill should parliament pass it.

They say while they agree that church businesses that are independently registered can be taxed, they further frown at and disagree that church offerings, tithes and free will donations should be taxed, adding that church leaders as well as members of the congregation are equally tax payers who pay various taxes as stipulated by the law and these taxes include Value Added Tax {VAT} among other form of taxes.

"The Bible in the book of Malachi 3:7-12 command us to bring all the tithe and offerings into the store-house that there may be meat in my house and prove me now herewith, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out blessings that there shall not be room enough to receive it,. 1 Corinthians 16:1 also tells us to take our offerings every week to the Lord,” they say.

The Nyanza Clergy further say that funds that have already been surrendered to the Lord, can’t be in any way taxed by the Government, adding that this may bring a curse to the government and the nation.

“There are many widows and orphans seeking assistance from the church and the money given to them by the clergy are the offering and tithes that are received. Our income is not guaranteed as it always fluctuates. In the book of Luke 6:38, commands us to give so that it will be given unto us. Good measures pressed down and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom,” they further say.

They add that the church has a strong capability and capacity to regulate itself through formulation of its committees, adding that the government can’t regularize the church or the body of Christ.

As the clergy, they say they don’t remember where their views were sought through a process of public participation before this Bill was approved by the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation. 

The Clergy further say those churches doing businesses should register such with the Government and get being taxed for such businesses they run, adding that there is no profit earned after they receive tithes and offering during their Church services.