Laikipia Senator John Kinyua has raised concerns over an alleged plan in Parliament to introduce taxes on commercial activities operated by churches.

Kinyua claimed that a motion was being prepared that could affect income-generating ventures run by religious institutions, including schools, real estate projects and hotels.

Speaking during a church service at the Anglican Church of Kenya in Nyahururu, the senator said MPs aligned with the opposition would resist any proposal they believe could undermine the role of churches in society.

He defended the contribution of religious organisations to education and other social services, pointing to the Anglican Church of Kenya’s sponsorship of more than 735 schools.

Kinyua said any proposed changes must follow the law and undergo proper public participation before they are implemented.

He warned that religious leaders and other stakeholders would oppose measures introduced without adequate consultation.

Under Kenya’s existing tax framework, purely religious donations and contributions are generally treated differently from income earned through commercial activities. Church-owned businesses such as schools, hotels and property ventures may face applicable taxes where they operate as income-generating activities.

However, the senator’s claim comes with an important qualification: a check by Kenyans.co.ke found no recent parliamentary motion specifically proposing the taxation of churches at the time of publication.

The issue is nevertheless likely to fuel renewed debate over whether commercial ventures operated by religious institutions should receive the same tax treatment as similar businesses owned by other organisations.

Kinyua maintained that any changes affecting churches must be subjected to public participation and follow the constitutional process before Parliament can proceed.